Heston Kjerstad

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #5 prospect in 2024
  BA Grade: 50/Medium
  
  Track Record: The No. 2 overall pick in 2020 signed for a below-slot $5.2 million. Myocarditis (heart inflammation) and then a significant hamstring injury kept him off the field until the middle of 2022, but his first healthy pro season ended in the majors. Kjerstad had a .960 OPS at Double-A Bowie and added 10 home runs in 76 games at Triple-A Norfolk before joining the Orioles for their stretch run on Sept. 14.
  
  Scouting Report: Kjerstad still has a unique swing with a high leg kick and a short stroke to the baseball, and he shows a knack for finding the barrel and hitting the ball hard at good angles. Kjerstad is advanced at formulating attack plans based on the pitcher he’s facing and proved adept at making contact on pitches in the zone, but he’s not a particularly stingy swinger, which could create challenges in the majors. However, his ability to put the bat on the ball could make him an average hitter with plus or better power. Kjerstad generates impressive carry off the bat and boasts power to all fields, often letting the location of the pitch determine where he drives it. While Kjerstad has worked some at first base to add versatility, his is a traditional corner outfield profile with a strong arm and decent athleticism but likely fringe-average overall defense.
  
  The Future: After a long layoff, Kjerstad showed himself as a potential middle-of-the-order, everyday run producer that the Orioles drafted him to be during the pandemic. He could be poised for a significant role on the 2024 club as a bat-first corner outfielder who will continue to improve as he gains experience against high-level pitchers.
  
  Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 60 | Run: 45 | Field: 45 | Arm: 55
• 
  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #12 prospect in 2023
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/Very High
  
  Track Record: Kjerstad was considered the best left-handed power bat in the shortened 2020 draft when the Orioles took him second overall and signed him to a below-slot $5.2 million bonus. Shortly after signing, however, he was diagnosed with myocarditis (heart inflammation) and missed all of 2021. A spring training hamstring injury delayed his pro debut until June, and he dominated Low-A Delmarva before finishing at High-A Aberdeen.
  
  Scouting Report: His layoff obviously impacted his development. Kjerstad makes a lot of quality contact with a unique swing that features an aggressive leg-lift, but issues with his approach have led to elevated strikeout numbers due to chase. The Orioles believe consistent game action can help him improve that, with exposure to high-level pitching a priority in Kjerstad's development. The club also believes Kjerstad will continue to regain the strength he lost from his time away to recapture his power stroke as time goes on. Kjerstad will be limited to a corner outfield spot due to his range, but has at least an above-average arm that will play in right field. Considering power was meant to be his carrying tool, maximizing that through swing decisions and physical development will determine his major league future.
  
  The Future: The Orioles view his return to action in 2022 a success on its own, and acknowledge the challenge Kjerstad's time away from the game has presented. His ceiling remains that of a bat-first slugging outfielder on a winning team, but Kjerstad's pending introduction to the high minors in 2023 will show how realistic reaching that will be.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 45. Power: 55. Speed: 45. Fielding: 50. Arm: 55.
• 
  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #8 prospect in 2022
  Track Record: The Orioles feel Kjerstad would have been college baseball’s best player had the 2020 season finished. Thus they believe they got a bargain when he signed for a below-slot $5.2 million as the No. 2 overall pick. They haven’t gotten to see much of his promise on the field. Kjerstad has yet to appear in a game due to the effects of myocarditis—inflammation of the heart muscle—that was detected ahead of 2020 instructional league. He began working back to health in the spring, but was shut down again in June before resuming activities in August. He was swinging a bat again in September.
  
  Scouting Report: Coming out of college, Kjerstad was touted as a potential middle-of-the-order bat with plus-plus raw power and the ability to utilize it in games. The moving parts of his swing introduced strikeout risk, but the Orioles saw the type of improvement over his college career to believe that could be managed. While Kjerstad has an above-average arm, his corner outfield profile puts pressure on his bat to produce at that level. The loss of muscle that can come from spending more than a year without physical activity raises concerns about whether he’ll be able to hit for the power his position will require. The Orioles feel his swing is natural enough that he’ll be able to regain it.
  
  The Future: A positive outlook on Kjerstad’s health at the end of 2021 has the Orioles hopeful he’ll be able to begin his professional career in 2022, potentially at Low-A Delmarva. The uncertainty his health struggles created makes it unclear how easily Kjerstad will be able to reach his ceiling as an everyday bat-first outfielder.
  
• 
  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #4 prospect in 2021
  Hitting: 50. Power: 70. Run: 40. Fielding: 50. Arm: 60.
  Track Record: The Orioles surprised the industry when they made Kjerstad the No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 draft, but their scouts and analysts loved the Arkansas star’s offensive profile. He signed for $5.2 million, which was more than $2.5 million under slot. A three-year starter for the Razorbacks and stalwart for USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team, Kjerstad has grown into prolific power and likely would have been a Golden Spikes Award contender in 2020.
  
  Scouting Report: Kjerstad’s promise is built on an impactful lefthanded bat with plus-plus raw power. He has a fair bit of movement in his swing and will swing and miss, but his much-improved plate coverage leads the Orioles to believe he can be an above-average hitter with all-fields power. He turns around hard line drives on pitches anywhere in the strike zone and cut down his strikeout and chase rates in his shortened junior year. Kjerstad is a below-average runner but can stand in a corner outfield spot. His above-average arm fits in right field.
  
  The Future: Kjerstad was drafted as a middle-of-the-order complement to Adley Rutschman as future cornerstones of the Orioles’ lineup. His power alone could put him on an all-star team in the right year. He is set to begin his pro career at the Class A levels and could move quickly.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #13 prospect in 2020 draft
  While the shortened 2020 season impacts every player, Kjerstad might be one of the least negatively impacted players outside of the top five draft prospects. The Arkansas outfielder has a long track record of hitting for average and power, both in the Southeastern Conference and with USA Baseball's Collegiate National Team. Kjerstad hit .395/.426/.651 to lead Team USA in all three slash line categories last summer, with three doubles, a triple and two home runs in 14 games. He hit better than .330/.400/.550 in each of his first two seasons at Arkansas and was off to another hot start in his junior campaign before the season shut down. Kjerstad is a potential middle-of-the-order hitter with plus-plus raw power and the ability to leave a ballpark in any direction. He can change games with one swing and brings premium lefthanded power to a lineup. Kjerstad's swing is a bit unorthodox, with a two-piece action and a pause with a big leg kick that interrupts his timing, which has led to more strikeouts than evaluators would optimally like to see. While Kjerstad cut his strikeout rate in a small sample size this spring, teams believe he may always strike out at an elevated rate. Kjerstad is a decent athlete for his size, but it would be optimistic to expect more than adequate defense from him in left or right field. He has a solid, accurate throwing arm. Most of Kjerstad's value is tied to his bat. He should be drafted at some point in the middle of the first round.

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #26 prospect in 2024
• Ranked Baseball America's #43 prospect in 2023
• Ranked Baseball America's #62 prospect in 2021

• February, 2023 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/Very High
  
  Track Record: Kjerstad was considered the best left-handed power bat in the shortened 2020 draft when the Orioles took him second overall and signed him to a below-slot $5.2 million bonus. Shortly after signing, however, he was diagnosed with myocarditis (heart inflammation) and missed all of 2021. A spring training hamstring injury delayed his pro debut until June, and he dominated Low-A Delmarva before finishing at High-A Aberdeen.
  
  Scouting Report: His layoff obviously impacted his development. Kjerstad makes a lot of quality contact with a unique swing that features an aggressive leg-lift, but issues with his approach have led to elevated strikeout numbers due to chase. The Orioles believe consistent game action can help him improve that, with exposure to high-level pitching a priority in Kjerstad's development. The club also believes Kjerstad will continue to regain the strength he lost from his time away to recapture his power stroke as time goes on. Kjerstad will be limited to a corner outfield spot due to his range, but has at least an above-average arm that will play in right field. Considering power was meant to be his carrying tool, maximizing that through swing decisions and physical development will determine his major league future.
  
  The Future: The Orioles view his return to action in 2022 a success on its own, and acknowledge the challenge Kjerstad's time away from the game has presented. His ceiling remains that of a bat-first slugging outfielder on a winning team, but Kjerstad's pending introduction to the high minors in 2023 will show how realistic reaching that will be.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 45. Power: 55. Speed: 45. Fielding: 50. Arm: 55.
• December, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/Very High
  
  Track Record: Kjerstad was considered the best left-handed power bat in the shortened 2020 draft when the Orioles took him second overall and signed him to a below-slot $5.2 million bonus. Shortly after signing, however, he was diagnosed with myocarditis (heart inflammation) and missed all of 2021. A spring training hamstring injury delayed his pro debut until June, and he dominated Low-A Delmarva before finishing at High-A Aberdeen.
  
  Scouting Report: His layoff obviously impacted his development. Kjerstad makes a lot of quality contact with a unique swing that features an aggressive leg-lift, but issues with his approach have led to elevated strikeout numbers due to chase. The Orioles believe consistent game action can help him improve that, with exposure to high-level pitching a priority in Kjerstad's development. The club also believes Kjerstad will continue to regain the strength he lost from his time away to recapture his power stroke as time goes on. Kjerstad will be limited to a corner outfield spot due to his range, but has at least an above-average arm that will play in right field. Considering power was meant to be his carrying tool, maximizing that through swing decisions and physical development will determine his major league future.
  
  The Future: The Orioles view his return to action in 2022 a success on its own, and acknowledge the challenge Kjerstad's time away from the game has presented. His ceiling remains that of a bat-first slugging outfielder on a winning team, but Kjerstad's pending introduction to the high minors in 2023 will show how realistic reaching that will be.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 45. Power: 55. Speed: 45. Fielding: 50. Arm: 55.
• April, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade: 55/Extreme
  
  Track Record: The Orioles feel Kjerstad would have been college baseball&#39s best player had the 2020 season finished. Thus they believe they got a bargain when he signed for a below-slot $5.2 million as the No. 2 overall pick. They haven&#39t gotten to see much of his promise on the field. Kjerstad has yet to appear in a game due to the effects of myocarditis—inflammation of the heart muscle—that was detected ahead of 2020 instructional league. He began working back to health in the spring, but was shut down again in June before resuming activities in August. He was swinging a bat again in September.
  
  Scouting Report: Coming out of college, Kjerstad was touted as a potential middle-of-the-order bat with plus-plus raw power and the ability to utilize it in games. The moving parts of his swing introduced strikeouts risk, but the Orioles saw the type of improvement over his college career to believe that could be managed. While Kjerstad has an above-average arm, his corner outfield profile puts pressure on his bat to produce at that level. The loss of muscle that can come from spending more than a year without physical activity raises concerns about whether he&#39ll be able to hit for the power his position will require. The Orioles feel his swing is natural enough to him that he&#39ll be able to regain it.
  
  The Future: A positive outlook on Kjerstad&#39s health at the end of 2021 has the Orioles hopeful he&#39ll be able to begin his professional career in 2022, potentially at Low-A Delmarva. The uncertainty his health struggles created makes it unclear how easily Kjerstad will be able to reach his ceiling as an everyday bat-first outfielder.
  
  Scouting Grades
  Hit: 50. Power: 70. Speed: 40. Fielding: 50. Arm: 60.
• December, 2021 Scouting Report
  Track Record: The Orioles feel Kjerstad would have been college baseball’s best player had the 2020 season finished. Thus they believe they got a bargain when he signed for a below-slot $5.2 million as the No. 2 overall pick. They haven’t gotten to see much of his promise on the field. Kjerstad has yet to appear in a game due to the effects of myocarditis—inflammation of the heart muscle—that was detected ahead of 2020 instructional league. He began working back to health in the spring, but was shut down again in June before resuming activities in August. He was swinging a bat again in September.
  
  Scouting Report: Coming out of college, Kjerstad was touted as a potential middle-of-the-order bat with plus-plus raw power and the ability to utilize it in games. The moving parts of his swing introduced strikeout risk, but the Orioles saw the type of improvement over his college career to believe that could be managed. While Kjerstad has an above-average arm, his corner outfield profile puts pressure on his bat to produce at that level. The loss of muscle that can come from spending more than a year without physical activity raises concerns about whether he’ll be able to hit for the power his position will require. The Orioles feel his swing is natural enough that he’ll be able to regain it.
  
  The Future: A positive outlook on Kjerstad’s health at the end of 2021 has the Orioles hopeful he’ll be able to begin his professional career in 2022, potentially at Low-A Delmarva. The uncertainty his health struggles created makes it unclear how easily Kjerstad will be able to reach his ceiling as an everyday bat-first outfielder.
  
• July, 2021 Scouting Report
  Hitting: 50. Power: 70. Run: 40. Fielding: 50. Arm: 60.
  Track Record: The Orioles surprised the industry when they made Kjerstad the No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 draft, but their scouts and analysts loved the Arkansas star's offensive profile. He signed for $5.2 million, which was more than $2.5 million under slot. A three-year starter for the Razorbacks and stalwart for USA Baseball's Collegiate National Team, Kjerstad has grown into prolific power and likely would have been a Golden Spikes Award contender in 2020.
  
  Scouting Report: Kjerstad's promise is built on an impactful lefthanded bat with plus-plus raw power. He has a fair bit of movement in his swing and will swing and miss, but his much-improved plate coverage leads the Orioles to believe he can be an above-average hitter with all-fields power. He turns around hard line drives on pitches anywhere in the strike zone and cut down his strikeout and chase rates in his shortened junior year. Kjerstad is a below-average runner but can stand in a corner outfield spot. His above-average arm fits in right field.
  
  The Future: Kjerstad was drafted as a middle-of-the-order complement to Adley Rutschman as future cornerstones of the Orioles' lineup. His power alone could put him on an all-star team in the right year. He is set to begin his pro career at the Class A levels and could move quickly.
• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  Hitting: 50. Power: 70. Run: 40. Fielding: 50. Arm: 60.
  Track Record: The Orioles surprised the industry when they made Kjerstad the No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 draft, but their scouts and analysts loved the Arkansas star’s offensive profile. He signed for $5.2 million, which was more than $2.5 million under slot. A three-year starter for the Razorbacks and stalwart for USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team, Kjerstad has grown into prolific power and likely would have been a Golden Spikes Award contender in 2020.
  
  Scouting Report: Kjerstad’s promise is built on an impactful lefthanded bat with plus-plus raw power. He has a fair bit of movement in his swing and will swing and miss, but his much-improved plate coverage leads the Orioles to believe he can be an above-average hitter with all-fields power. He turns around hard line drives on pitches anywhere in the strike zone and cut down his strikeout and chase rates in his shortened junior year. Kjerstad is a below-average runner but can stand in a corner outfield spot. His above-average arm fits in right field.
  
  The Future: Kjerstad was drafted as a middle-of-the-order complement to Adley Rutschman as future cornerstones of the Orioles’ lineup. His power alone could put him on an all-star team in the right year. He is set to begin his pro career at the Class A levels and could move quickly.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  Hitting: 50. Power: 70. Run: 40. Fielding: 50. Arm: 60.
  Track Record: The Orioles surprised the industry when they made Kjerstad the No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 draft, but their scouts and analysts loved the Arkansas star’s offensive profile. He signed for $5.2 million, which was more than $2.5 million under slot. A three-year starter for the Razorbacks and stalwart for USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team, Kjerstad has grown into prolific power and likely would have been a Golden Spikes Award contender in 2020.
  
  Scouting Report: Kjerstad’s promise is built on an impactful lefthanded bat with plus-plus raw power. He has a fair bit of movement in his swing and will swing and miss, but his much-improved plate coverage leads the Orioles to believe he can be an above-average hitter with all-fields power. He turns around hard line drives on pitches anywhere in the strike zone and cut down his strikeout and chase rates in his shortened junior year. Kjerstad is a below-average runner but can stand in a corner outfield spot. His above-average arm fits in right field.
  
  The Future: Kjerstad was drafted as a middle-of-the-order complement to Adley Rutschman as future cornerstones of the Orioles’ lineup. His power alone could put him on an all-star team in the right year. He is set to begin his pro career at the Class A levels and could move quickly.
• December, 2019 Scouting Report
  While the shortened 2020 season impacts every player, Kjerstad might be one of the least negatively impacted players outside of the top five draft prospects. The Arkansas outfielder has a long track record of hitting for average and power, both in the Southeastern Conference and with USA Baseball's Collegiate National Team. Kjerstad hit .395/.426/.651 to lead Team USA in all three slash line categories last summer, with three doubles, a triple and two home runs in 14 games. He hit better than .330/.400/.550 in each of his first two seasons at Arkansas and was off to another hot start in his junior campaign before the season shut down. Kjerstad is a potential middle-of-the-order hitter with plus-plus raw power and the ability to leave a ballpark in any direction. He can change games with one swing and brings premium lefthanded power to a lineup. Kjerstad's swing is a bit unorthodox, with a two-piece action and a pause with a big leg kick that interrupts his timing, which has led to more strikeouts than evaluators would optimally like to see. While Kjerstad cut his strikeout rate in a small sample size this spring, teams believe he may always strike out at an elevated rate. Kjerstad is a decent athlete for his size, but it would be optimistic to expect more than adequate defense from him in left or right field. He has a solid, accurate throwing arm. Most of Kjerstad's value is tied to his bat. He should be drafted at some point in the middle of the first round.