O’s call up Kyle Stowers, option Heston Kjerstad to triple-A Norfolk
The Baltimore Orioles have an abundance of talent in the minor leagues. There’s been talk all year about who should be up at the big-league level and who shouldn’t. Today the O’s made a decision about who the next young guy will be making an impact in Baltimore.
Baltimore announced today that OF Kyle Stowers has been promoted to the major leagues. OF Heston Kjerstad was demoted to triple-A in a corresponding move.
The Orioles will be looking to use Stowers’ power on offense. Stowers has hit 11 home runs and 11 doubles with 32 RBIs in 36 games. He had short stints with the Orioles in 2022 and 2023. Stowers hit .253 with three home runs and 11 RBIs in 34 games after making his debut on June 6th, 2022. Stowers found himself on the 2023 Opening Day roster after a strong ’22 season and played in 14 games. He had a batting average of just .067 with two hits and three walks. Stowers will finally get another chance to show his skills in the majors.
Heston Kjerstad made his MLB Debut on September 14, 2023. Kjerstad hit .233 with two home runs and three RBIs in 13 games last year. He didn’t start 2024 with the big-league club but got called up a few weeks later. Kjerstad hit .143 with two hits in seven games so far this season. The slow offensive start paired with some struggles in the outfield helped make the decision.
The move comes interesting to some, as these two players are very similar. One thing is certain: with the talent in the minors, it’s time for them to get some big-league playing time.
