Heston Kjerstad
25-Year-Old
2024 Stats
AVG
.143
HR
0
RBI
0
R
0
SB
0
Rest-of-Season Projections
2024 Fantasy Outlook
Kjerstad made a strong first impression in the majors late last season, but unfortunately he's only eligible in the utility spot to start 2024 in most fantasy leagues. A money-saving pick at No. 2 overall in 2020, Kjerstad famously didn't make his pro debut until midway through the 2022 season due primarily to a heart inflammation condition. He won the Arizona Fall League home run derby after the 2022 season and then slashed .303/.376/.528 with 21 home runs in 122 games across Double-A and Triple-A before getting a brief cup of coffee. While he is limited defensively to designated hitter, first base and occasional corner-outfield work, Kjerstad's bat should be good enough to profile at the bottom of the defensive spectrum. He had a 113.5 mph max exit velocity at Triple-A and a 105.1 mph 90th percentile exit velocity and then logged a 19.0 Barrel% and a 52.4% Statcast hard-hit rate in 21 batted-ball events in the majors. He didn't show significant lefty/righty splits last year, but Baltimore has a talented enough roster that the lefty-hitting Kjerstad may still sit against some lefties when he's in the majors. However, Oriole Park at Camden Yards plays much better for lefties than righties, so he should be able to hit for plenty of power, even if he's getting platooned. The stacked 40-man roster clouds Kjerstad's playing time outlook at the outset of 2024. Read Past Outlooks
On bench for fifth straight game
Kjerstad is out of the lineup for Monday's contest against the Yankees.
ANALYSIS
After starting the first game following his promotion from Triple-A Norfolk on April 23, Kjerstad has now been on the bench for five straight contests. Clearly, getting the 25-year-old consistent reps hasn't been a priority for manager Brandon Hyde. Colten Cowser and Anthony Santander will occupy the corner-outfield spots Monday, while Ryan Mountcastle will handle first base and Ryan O'Hearn will serve as Baltimore's designated hitter.
After starting the first game following his promotion from Triple-A Norfolk on April 23, Kjerstad has now been on the bench for five straight contests. Clearly, getting the 25-year-old consistent reps hasn't been a priority for manager Brandon Hyde. Colten Cowser and Anthony Santander will occupy the corner-outfield spots Monday, while Ryan Mountcastle will handle first base and Ryan O'Hearn will serve as Baltimore's designated hitter.
Batting Stats
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2024
2023
Minor League Game Log
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Batting Order Slot Breakdown
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Left/Right Batting Splits
Since 2022
-100%
OPS vs RHP
2024
-100%
OPS vs RHP
OPS | PA | HR | RBI | AVG | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Since 2022vs Left | .000 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .000 | ||||
Since 2022vs Right | .699 | 39 | 2 | 3 | .222 | ||||
2024vs Left | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
2024vs Right | .393 | 8 | 0 | 0 | .143 | ||||
2023vs Left | .000 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .000 | ||||
2023vs Right | .773 | 31 | 2 | 3 | .241 | ||||
2022vs Left | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
2022vs Right | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
More Splits→ | View More Split Stats |
Home/Away Batting Splits
Since 2022
+65%
OPS at Home
2024
-100%
OPS at Home
OPS | PA | HR | RBI | AVG | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Since 2022Home | .886 | 17 | 1 | 2 | .267 | ||||
Since 2022Away | .536 | 23 | 1 | 1 | .182 | ||||
2024Home | .833 | 4 | 0 | 0 | .333 | ||||
2024Away | .000 | 4 | 0 | 0 | .000 | ||||
2023Home | .891 | 13 | 1 | 2 | .250 | ||||
2023Away | .652 | 19 | 1 | 1 | .222 | ||||
2022Home | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
2022Away | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
More Splits→ | View More Split Stats |
Stat Review
How does Heston Kjerstad compare to other hitters?
This section compares his stats with all batting seasons from the previous three seasons (minimum 400 plate appearances)*. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that stat and it would be considered average.
* Exit Velocity and Barrels/PA % are benchmarked against 2019 data (min 400 PA) and Hard Hit Rate is benchmarked against last season's data (min 400 PA). See here for more exit velocity/barrels stats plus an explanation of current limitations with that data set.
* Exit Velocity and Barrels/PA % are benchmarked against 2019 data (min 400 PA) and Hard Hit Rate is benchmarked against last season's data (min 400 PA). See here for more exit velocity/barrels stats plus an explanation of current limitations with that data set.
BB/K
0.00BB Rate
0.0%K Rate
37.5%BABIP
.250ISO
.000AVG
.143OBP
.250SLG
.143OPS
.393wOBA
.201Exit Velocity
71.5 mphHard Hit Rate
25.0%Barrels/PA
0.0%Expected BA
.061Expected SLG
.078Sprint Speed
24.7 ft/secGround Ball %
25.0%Line Drive %
50.0%Fly Ball %
25.0%Prospect Rankings History
Advanced Batting Stats
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Additional Stats
Games By Position
Defensive Stats
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Batted Ball Stats
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Stats Vs Upcoming Pitchers
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Promotion coming?
The Orioles are expected to promote Kjerstad to the major leagues after Austin Hays was placed on the 10-day injured list with a calf injury, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Kjerstad has been tearing it up at Triple-A Norfolk, hitting .349 with 10 homers, 30 RBI, one stolen base and 25 runs over 86 at-bats. The club is hopeful that Hays will be able to return from the injured list following the 10-day minimum, so this could be a brief promotion for the 25-year-old if the team does ultimately decide to bring him up.
Kjerstad has been tearing it up at Triple-A Norfolk, hitting .349 with 10 homers, 30 RBI, one stolen base and 25 runs over 86 at-bats. The club is hopeful that Hays will be able to return from the injured list following the 10-day minimum, so this could be a brief promotion for the 25-year-old if the team does ultimately decide to bring him up.
Past Fantasy Outlooks
2023
2021
There's a feel-good element to Kjerstad's 2022 season. He was selected by Baltimore with the No. 2 overall pick in 2020, but a heart condition sidelined him through the 2021 season and he missed the first two months of last season with hamstring strain before finally making his pro debut in June. Kjerstad did what he needed to do as a 23-year-old at Single-A, logging a 228 wRC+ and quickly forcing a promotion to High-A. His 25.3 K% and 71.2 Contact% at High-A are concerning marks, given his age and pedigree. We can forgive his limited power output somewhat given how much Aberdeen suppresses home runs, but the hit tool concerns are real. He made noise in the Arizona Fall League with a .357 average, five home runs, a runner-up finish in the home run derby and the league MVP award, but his 30.0 K% and 4.8 BB% against mediocre AFL pitching is quite worrisome. Kjerstad has legitimate excuses for the fact he will be old for the remaining minor-league levels he will play at, but it's possible, if not probable that he will be overmatched as a 24-year-old at Double-A.
More Fantasy News
Out against left-hander
Kjerstad is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Angels.
ANALYSIS
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Promotion made official
The Orioles recalled Kjerstad from Triple-A Norfolk on Tuesday.
ANALYSIS
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Set for Tuesday promotion
Kjerstad is expected to be recalled from Triple-A Norfolk on Tuesday, Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun reports.
ANALYSIS
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Plates 10 runs at Triple-A
Kjerstad went 5-for-7 with two home runs, two doubles, 10 RBI and two additional runs Wednesday in Triple-A Norfolk's 26-11 win over Charlotte.
ANALYSIS
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Sent to Triple-A
The Orioles optioned Kjerstad to Triple-A Norfolk on Friday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.
ANALYSIS
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