On the first day of Spring Training workouts at Ed Smith Stadium, Baltimore Orioles general manager Mike Elias made it clear: Heston Kjerstad has a prime opportunity to make the team’s Opening Day roster.

The 26-year-old outfielder and former No. 2 overall draft pick has never broken camp with the Orioles, but that could change in the coming weeks.

“This is a big opportunity for him,” Elias said. “I think he’s earned the right to receive plenty of at-bats in the corner outfield and the designated hitter spot, especially against right-handed pitching.”

Kjerstad, once regarded as one of the best hitters in college baseball at the University of Arkansas, has worked his way back after health setbacks derailed the early part of his career.

Now, with a strong track record in the minors and an opening on Baltimore’s roster, the slugger could be heading north with the MLB club this spring. Sep 29, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Baltimore Orioles left fielder Heston Kjerstad (13) runs the bases after hitting a solo home run against the Minnesota Twins during the eighth inning at Target Field.

Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images Matt Krohn-Imagn Images Matt Krohn-Imagn Images Replacing Left-Handed Power in Baltimore With switch-hitting outfielder Anthony Santander now in Toronto, the Orioles are looking to replace some of their lost left-handed power. Kjerstad fits the bill.

The lefty-hitting outfielder has posted a stellar .299/.382/.541 slash line with 26 home runs in 132 games at Triple-A Norfolk over the past two seasons.

His ability to hit for both power and average makes him a strong candidate to play in a corner outfield spot or serve as a designated hitter against right-handed pitching.

Alongside Cedric Mullins and Colton Cowser, Kjerstad is one of three left-handed hitters in a competitive outfield mix that also includes righties Tyler O’Neill and Ramón Laureano, as well as switch-hitting Dylan Carlson. Orioles manager Brandon Hyde has made it clear that Kjerstad will see plenty of at-bats during Spring Training to prove himself. “He’s put up huge Triple-A numbers, and there’s opportunity now,” Hyde said.

“There’s a little bit more opportunity than in the past. We’ll give him every opportunity.” Bouncing Back from a Difficult 2024 Season Kjerstad’s 2024 season was derailed by a concussion after he was struck in the helmet by a 96.8 mph sinker from Clay Holmes on July 13, leading to a benches-clearing moment.

Before the injury, Kjerstad was thriving with a .314/.417/.529 first-half slash line. However, after returning, he struggled, hitting just 9-for-48 in the second half. Despite his limited MLB experience, Elias and the Orioles’ front office believe Kjerstad doesn’t need to dominate Grapefruit League pitching to prove his worth. “I don’t know that he needs to tear the cover off the ball in the Grapefruit League,” Elias said.

“We’ve seen him do that already. He’s played pretty well in a limited opportunity at the major league level. He’s played well in the minors, and he’s going on 26-this is a big opportunity for him.”

A Crucial Spring Training for Kjerstad With uncertainty surrounding Baltimore’s outfield alignment, Kjerstad’s role will depend on how the team chooses to deploy its left-handed hitters. While Hyde hasn’t committed to strict platoons, he acknowledged that outfield matchups will be something to monitor. “We’ve got five guys, three lefties and two righties that for me all need at-bats,” Hyde said.

“So we’re gonna kind of see how it goes at this point.” Kjerstad has proven everything he can in the minor leagues, boasting a career .304 batting average with 42 home runs.

Now, as the Orioles look to build on their 2024 playoff run, Kjerstad has a golden opportunity to cement his place in the majors.

With consistent at-bats and a clean bill of health, 2025 could be the year he makes his mark in Baltimore.