Springtime in baseball is like a fresh page, brimming with hope and potential. The sun is shining, the games are low-pressure, and every player seems to be in peak form.
Enter Heston Kjerstad at Ed Smith Stadium, launching a home run that turns heads. While skepticism is a natural reflex, there’s something about this February that feels different.
Maybe it’s Kjerstad’s swing. Maybe it’s the manager’s confidence in him.
Or maybe it’s Jackson Holliday, who’s not one to hand out empty compliments, claiming Kjerstad is “seriously one of the better hitters” he’s seen when healthy. This optimism isn’t just the usual spring chatter; it feels substantial.
Kjerstad’s journey is one many fans know well. Drafted second overall by the Orioles in 2020 out of Arkansas, he was a standout hitter in college.
But soon after signing, he was sidelined by myocarditis, missing almost all of 2021. A hamstring issue delayed his debut until 2022.
When he finally hit the field, he impressed, winning the Arizona Fall League home run derby and posting strong numbers in the minors in 2023. His major league stint in 2024 was cut short after a fastball to the helmet.
Then came 2025, a year to forget. Batting just .192 with a .566 OPS, Kjerstad was optioned to Norfolk and later sidelined with an undisclosed medical issue. The season ended with uncertainty about his health.
Now, at 27, what’s new for Kjerstad? A clean bill of health, perhaps, and a swing adjustment.
He’s traded his signature leg kick for a simpler toe tap, a change that worked wonders for Jackson Holliday in 2025. The idea is simple: fewer moving parts, more contact.
Manager Craig Albernaz, in his first full spring, isn’t just offering polite encouragement. He’s genuinely impressed, noting Kjerstad’s physical condition and efficient mechanics. Kjerstad’s already shown power in live batting practice, with homers off both lefties and righties, and his exit velocities remain elite.
But where does he fit in the Orioles’ crowded outfield? With Taylor Ward, Leody Taveras, Colton Cowser, Tyler O’Neill, and Dylan Beavers all in the mix, Kjerstad’s path to the Opening Day roster is murky. However, a strong start at Triple-A Norfolk could make him a valuable asset, either as a roster addition or trade piece.
The Orioles’ outfield isn’t set in stone. O’Neill has his own injury woes, Beavers is unproven over a full season, and Ward and Taveras are on short-term deals.
Cowser is also looking to bounce back from a tough 2025. This volatility might just open the door Kjerstad has been waiting for.
Looking at Kjerstad now, there are two perspectives. One sees a cautionary tale of a talent derailed by circumstances beyond his control. The other sees a player who’s never had a real shot, never been healthy long enough to show his true potential.
The swing change is genuine, and the early results are promising. Holliday’s offseason training with Kjerstad is a positive sign. While his medical history remains a question mark, both he and the organization claim he’s fully healthy.
Am I buying into the optimism? Let’s say I’m cautiously optimistic.
We’ve been let down before, but if Kjerstad stays healthy and focused, he’s a player worth watching. If this spring becomes something special, we’ll have seen it coming.
And if it doesn’t, well, we’re used to that too.