Heston Kjerstad

Heston Kjerstad's Biography

Heston Sawyer Kjerstad, born February 12, 1999, is an acclaimed American professional baseball player who primarily functions as an outfielder and first baseman for the Baltimore Orioles of Major League Baseball (MLB). Considered as one of the most promising players in recent times, Kjerstad has a journey in baseball that reflects his prowess, determination, and devotion to the sport.

Born and raised in Amarillo, Texas, Kjerstad set the stage for his upcoming professional career by attending Randall High School where he demonstrated exceptional skill as a baseball player. As a junior, he held an impressive batting average of .477 with a whopping 32 runs batted in (RBIs). His performances earned him the accolades of being recognized as the most valuable player in his district and a place in the first team All-State. His senior year saw Kjerstad maintain his title as the first team All-State and district’s most valuable player.

Upon his graduation, Kjerstad had an option to go pro but chose to elevate his game further. He decided to play college baseball for the University of Arkansas and turned down the opportunity presented by the Seattle Mariners who selected him in the 36th round of the 2017 Major League Baseball draft.

Kjerstad, as a college freshman, was a starting outfielder for the Arkansas Razorbacks and continued to impress with his performances. He had a batting average of .332, hit 30 extra base hits, 14 home runs, and 58 RBIs. His exploits on the field led to him being named the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Freshman of the Year and a part of the second team All-SEC. He also received a freshman All-American title, courtesy of the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association and the Collegiate Baseball Newspaper. Kjerstad played a pivotal role in his team’s journey to the 2018 College World Series final, earning a spot on the All-Tournament team.

Following his successful freshman year, Kjerstad, as a sophomore, was again named to the second team All-SEC. He had impressively batted at .327 with 17 home runs and 51 RBIs. During the summer, he demonstrated his prowess on the international stage, playing for Team USA Collegiate National Baseball Team and sporting an impressive batting average of .395 in 14 games bolstering his reputation ever further.

Entering his junior season, Kjerstad was recognized as a preseason first team All-American selection by the Perfect Game and Collegiate Baseball Newspaper, earmarking him as a top prospect for the 2020 Major League Baseball Draft. He started the season with a bang, earning recognition as the SEC Player of the Week and the National Player of the Week by Collegiate Baseball. He managed to hit 7 out of 13 with four home runs, 10 RBIs and six runs scored in the Razorbacks opening series against Eastern Illinois. Kjerstad appeared unstoppable as he continued his form and achieved a batting average of .448 with six home runs, 20 RBIs and 19 runs scored in just 16 games before an unfortunate halt to the season caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Despite the setback, Kjerstad’s hard work soon paid off as he was chosen by the Baltimore Orioles in the first round of the 2020 Major League Baseball draft, with the second overall pick. He subsequently signed with the Orioles on June 30, 2020, for a substantial $5.2 million bonus, cementing his place in the big league. However, his journey hit a roadblock as he was diagnosed with myocarditis, causing him to miss spring training and the entire 2021 season.

After recovering and undergoing extended spring training, Kjerstad was back on the field showcasing his abilities and made his professional debut on June 10, 2022, for the Single-A Delmarva Shorebirds. His batting average of .463 with 37 hits and 17 RBIs in 22 games earned him a promotion to the High-A Aberdeen IronBirds.

Notwithstanding the transition, Kjerstad continued to prove his worth with leadership in at bats and doubles at the 2022 Arizona Fall League. His continued excellent performance saw him being invited to spring training in 2023 as a non-roster player. Starting with the Double-A Bowie Baysox, he also started playing the position of first base in addition to outfield.

On September 14, 2023, Kjerstad made his major league debut after being selected to the 40-man roster and promoted by the Baltimore Orioles. In his rookie campaign, he batted .233/.281/.467 with two home runs and three RBI.

As the 2024 season commenced, Kjerstad was again in the limelight, with astonishing statistics in a game that saw him set a single-game Tides record of 10 RBIs. Throughout his journey, Kjerstad continued to be celebrated for his exceptional skills and dedication to baseball. His career so far is a testament to his potential, showcasing a young player with a promising future in MLB. His talent, grit and love for the game ensure that he is one to watch in the American baseball scene.