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Heston Kjerstad is one of the top prospects in the Baltimore Orioles minor league system, but in his most recent MiLB contest, he landed a swift exit from competition.
That came after he got a bit testy with the home plate umpire after being hit by a pitch for the third straight time.
Kjerstad has been a stud since being drafted out of Arkansas in 2020, when he went No. 2 overall. Across 56 games with the Norfolk Tides this year, the left-handed slugger is hitting .300 with 16 bombs and 58 RBIs.
That might lead some minor league pitching staffs to pitch around him – but pitching at him is another thing entirely!
Kjerstad was hit in three straight at-bats during his most recent outing, with each of those plunks coming on the first pitch. After the third occurrence, he finally lost his cool.
Apparently former Razorback Heston Kjerstad was plunked on the first pitch of his at-bat three times today and then he was ejected by the home plate umpire after the third.
News also coming out today that Kjerstad will be going back to the majors. pic.twitter.com/9WrRDDyIey
— Mason Choate (@ChoateMason) June 24, 2024
After mouthing off to the home plate umpire on his way down the first base line, the outfielder was ejected.
It didn’t appear that the opposing staff was intentionally throwing at him, given that the final HBP came on a 70-MPH off-speed pitch. Still, it was a warranted reaction after a frustrating game.
Luckily for Kjerstad, those frustrations wouldn’t last too long.
Heston Kjerstad was called up to the MLB on Monday.
Heston Kjerstad is back with the Orioles. At this point he needs a consistent month to be a fit here, permanently, or trading chip. His time up hasn’t really been fair to him. Needs consistent ABs.
— Morgan Adsit (@MorganAdsit) June 24, 2024
The fourth-ranked prospect in the Baltimore Orioles system, this represents the third time he’s joined the big-league roster. In those two previous stints, he was used seldomly with mixed results.
Kjerstad hit just .143 in his most recent call-up, which came earlier this season. He recorded two hits and six strikeouts across 14 at-bats.
He made the roster in 2023, too, hitting .233 in his debut stint.
The Orioles are hoping Kjerstad can add some much-needed pop to the order with the lineup currently struggling. While his MLB production has been slow to start, he’s launched 37 homers over the last two years at the minor league level.
The last 24 hours have been a bit of a roller coaster for Heston Kjerstad, going from ejection to call up in less than a day!
Feels good to be home. pic.twitter.com/pyK0dwBf4S
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) June 24, 2024
He’s hitting fifth in the lineup for Monday’s matchup against Cleveland. We’ll see if he can kickstart the Baltimore order.