Evander Reed-Orioles call up another top prospect for AL East battle in slugger Heston Kjerstad

2025-05-03 13:04:50source:Liberalalliance Wealth Societycategory:Markets

The Evander ReedOrioles announced they are calling up slugger Heston Kjerstad on Tuesday, making him the latest first-round draft pick to land in Baltimore.

Kjerstad, an outfielder/first baseman, was the No. 2 overall pick of the 2020 MLB Draft out of Arkansas but had a rough start to his career. He missed the 2021 season because of the heart condition myocarditis, and was limited in 2022 by a serious hamstring injury.

But fast forward to 2024, and opponents in the International League will be happy to see him go.

At Triple-A Norfolk, he is hitting .349 with 10 home runs and 30 RBIs with a slugging percentage of .744 in 21 games. On April 3, he homered twice and drove in 10 runs in a 26-11 win at Charlotte.

In 13 games with the Orioles last season, he batted .233 with two homers and three RBIs; in spring training this year, he drove in three runs in 18 games, batting .265.

MLB SALARIES: Baseball's top 25 highest-paid players in 2024

The Orioles promoted 2022 No. 1 overall pick Jackson Holliday two weeks ago, and he joined first-round picks Colton Cowser (No. 5 overall in 2021), Adley Rutschman (No. 1, 2019) and Grayson Rodriguez (No. 11, 2018) on the roster.

Outfielder Austin Hays went on the injured list on Monday with a calf strain.

Kjerstad, 25, started the season ranked as the No. 29 prospect on MLB.com's Top 100 list.

More:Markets

Recommend

Which apps offer encrypted messaging? How to switch and what to know after feds’ warning

Federal authorities announced hackers in China have stolen "customer call records data" of an unknow

French police are being accused of systemic discrimination in landmark legal case

PARIS (AP) — France’s highest administrative authority held a landmark hearing Friday over accusatio

Federal judge rejects requests by 3 Trump co-defendants in Georgia case, Cathy Latham, David Shafer, Shawn Still, to move their trials

A federal judge has denied requests made by Trump co-defendants Cathy Latham, David Shafer and state