Heston Kjerstad DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Baltimore Orioles outfield prospect Heston Kjerstad is not in the starting lineup yet again on Monday as the team takes on the visiting New York Yankees at Camden Yards. This will be the fifth straight game that Kjerstad is not in the O's starting lineup after he started the first two contests following his promotion from Triple-A Norfolk. If this continues to be the case, don't be surprised if the Orioles send the 25-year-old left-handed hitter back to the minors so that he can play every day. The former second overall pick in 2020 out of Arkansas has gone hitless in his first five major-league at-bats with three strikeouts. It's been hard for manager Brandon Hyde to find Kjerstad consistent playing time with Colton Cowser playing so well.

Baltimore Orioles rookie outfielder Heston Kjerstad is not in the starting lineup on Wednesday against Los Angeles Angels left-hander Tyler Anderson. Kjerstad made his 2024 debut for the O's on Tuesday against a right-hander and went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts, so he'll head to the bench on Wednesday against a lefty that has been pitching well early this year. Colton Cowser is starting in left field and is batting eighth for the Orioles against Anderson. Kjerstad, the team's No. 4 prospect per MLB Pipeline, earned the promotion to Baltimore after hitting .349/.431/.744 with a 1.176 OPS, 10 home runs and 30 RBI in the first 21 games for Triple-A Norfolk. The 25-year-old should be rostered in mixed leagues, but don't be surprised if he continues to sit against lefties given Baltimore's stacked roster.

Baltimore Orioles rookie outfielder Heston Kjerstad will make his MLB debut against the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday. The rookie outfielder is in right field and batting eighth during his O's debut. It's nice to see the O's giving Kjerstad a legitimate look after he tore the cover off the ball in Triple-A. Kjerstad hit 10 home runs with 30 RBI in 21 games before his promotion. He should be a strong fantasy contributor as long as he gets regular at-bats in Baltimore.

The Baltimore Orioles plan to recall outfield prospect Heston Kjerstad from the minor leagues ahead of Tuesday's game against the Los Angeles Angels. Kjerstad, the No. 42 prospect in baseball and Baltimore's No. 4 prospect, is slashing a prolific .349/.431/.744 with 10 home runs, 30 RBI, 25 runs scored, and one stolen base in 86 at-bats (21 games) for Triple-A Norfolk this season, and it was only a matter of time before he was brought back up to the big-league club after a brief cameo late last season. The lefty-hitting 25-year-old former No. 2 overall pick figures to get most of his playing time in left field and at designated hitter against right-handed pitching with Austin Hays (calf) sidelined, but there's no guarantee for everyday at-bats with both Colton Cowser and Ryan O'Hearn off to strong starts. Even so, Kjerstad carries enough four-category fantasy upside to be an immediate add in the majority of mixed leagues.

Baltimore Orioles outfield prospect Heston Kjerstad launched his eighth home run of the season to cap off a 3-for-3 day at the plate. The 25-year-old has been off to an unbelievable start to the season with a .342/.425/.726 slash line and is closing in on double-digit long balls in the minor leagues. Kjerstad held his own in the majors last season, albeit in a small sample size, where he hit for a .233 batting average and two home runs, and he should be in for a bigger opportunity this season. Kjerstad is on the brink of a promotion and is worth stashing, even in standard single-season leagues.