Heston Kjerstad is finally getting his chance to play on a regular basis. He’s taking full advantage.
The Orioles’ outfield prospect started Saturday for the fourth time in six games and rewarded his club’s confidence with a go-ahead grand slam to help beat the Texas Rangers, 6-5, in front of a sold-out crowd of 44,286 at Camden Yards. It was the first grand slam, and fourth home run, of his young career.
Kjerstad, 25, has done everything right to earn an everyday job at the major league level. Baseball America’s No. 23 overall prospect has crushed Triple-A pitching this season, posting a .998 OPS with 16 home runs in 56 games with the Norfolk Tides. He earned a call-up once this year already, but at-bats were sparse as the Orioles (53-30) only fit him in for 17 plate appearances across nearly three weeks.
Now, Kjerstad is back and finally getting the opportunity he has been waiting for the last two years. After admitting Thursday he was pressing during his first stint with the Orioles this season, Kjerstad is feeling more comfortable this time around and it’s showing through the results. Kjerstad is 5-for-12 (.417) with two home runs, a double and seven RBIs. He’s only struck out once over that span.