Catching up with Heston Kjerstad

Heston Kjerstad has outlasted the two hitters minicamps in Sarasota. The outfielder reports daily to the Ed Smith Stadium complex for workouts, slowly recouping those at-bats lost after a diagnosis of myocarditis in 2020.

The facility is a second home to the University of Arkansas product, who first received an invitation to the fall instructional camp that ran from Oct. 18-Nov. 20. He went back to Fayetteville for a while and arranged sessions with his hitting and conditioning coaches - "a very short offseason," he said - but returned to Florida last month and never left.

Kjerstad is facing live pitching and performing drills aimed at his baserunning and defense. The weather has warmed up, with temperatures reaching the 70s after a dip into the mid-50s during minicamps.

He'd settle for the 30s as long as he's allowed to play baseball again.

The Orioles arranged for Kjerstad and other players recovering from health issues to remain at the complex. Infielder César Prieto also is there.

I spoke to Kjerstad earlier this week, a follow-up of sorts to his November Zoom call with the local media. He's feeling great and excited to talk about baseball instead of just his physical condition, saying it's a lot more fun.

It was evident in his voice.

Who are you hitting against during these workouts?
"They have some pitchers down here that are throwing to us. They're guys that are kind of trying out. It's the same thing they did during the fall for some of the guys who missed some at-bats or whatever. Just some pitchers they brought in. Maybe they're from a different org and are trying out. It's been good for me to hit off those guys. And a couple of the other rehab guys who are coming back, too."

How did the fall camp differ from the January minicamps, as far as what you were doing?
"I would say they were pretty similar, but the spring one, especially the major league camp, was just a little bit more about getting going and getting prepared for the season, rather than the fall camp being more like how to train for your offseason. So very similar, but different in the focal point."

Manager Brandon Hyde and some of his coaches attended the first hitters minicamp. Did you have much interaction with them?
"Oh yeah. Every day they were out there. I worked predominately with Coach (Anthony) Sanders, the outfield coach, and then Ryan Fuller, now the co-hitting coach for the big league team. I worked with them mainly and it was awesome. Being an outfielder, there aren't too many people who teach it at an elite level because it's not the most focused position, especially when you're younger. Most people are infielders and that's the main focus. But being able to learn from Sanders, some of the outfield stuff that he taught us or went over, pointed out, was awesome for me."

So, this was more than just going down there and hitting and bonding.
"There was working out with the big league strength coach (Trey Wiedman), and then we'd hit and then we'd do a lot of defense and things like that. A lot of the guys said it was kind of similar to spring training days, but just without the games or anything like that."

Did this activity confirm that you're full-go for spring training, as you predicted in November?
"Oh yeah. I'm ready to go, definitely. Feeling good. Feeling really good, actually. Whether it's swinging it or defense-wise, my body and athletically, I feel great."

What are some of the biggest physical differences for you now compared to 2020 and 2021? Is it really noticeable as far as strength, stamina, things like that?
Compared to myself when I was at my peak, even before everything, I feel like I'm, honestly, above that, just because I've been training for six months or so. And being able to work with some of the Orioles staff and all that, they've got my body right and focused on some of the things that I wasn't too great at and really honed in on them, and it made me a better athlete and made me learn a few things about myself. It's going to make me feel stronger and a little bit faster and, hopefully, my hands a little bit quicker in the box."

Is your weight about the same that it was or has there been a change, perhaps from adding muscle?
"Since I've been able to train, I've gotten in way better shape, put on some muscle, and then shed some body fat and got in there at a good range. Still playing at 210, which is about my ideal playing weight, and feel really good at it."

Do you feel like the Orioles' patience with you has really paid off, that they made the right decisions after your diagnosis and again after shutting you down last year? I'm sure that was one of the challenges for you, wanting to jump back into competition, but they took a much more deliberate approach.
"Oh, 100 percent. It's one of those things, you wish you could jump in as soon as you want to, but you've got to be patient, let your body get back into shape. And now, I feel great, haven't had anything that's bothered me. So, that's my sign that everything was done the right way, being patient through the whole thing."

Do you even think about it anymore? I assume it was at least in the back of your mind when you first began working out again and getting back on the field, whether there would be a recurrence. Is it in the past now?
"Way in the past. I can't even tell you the last time I thought about that until you brought it up. I just get up and get after it every day like I used to, and I feel great all the time."

Do you think you're basically the same hitter as in college, or have there been adjustments with the Orioles based on the instruction that are noticeable to you?
"Since I've been hitting live and everything, I think I've ... obviously, I'm always trying to improve my game. I think I've made everything a little bit more crisp overall, just whether it's maybe a more controlled load or a little bit better path to the ball. Also, just hitting live. The main thing was just getting back into the groove of my approach and everything like that. I would say I'm improved. And I think maturity-wise, being away from the game, I saw it in a little bit different way, and now stepping back in there, I have a better look into things or view it in a better way and don't get caught up in certain things that don't necessarily help you as a hitter or help you in an at-bat, if that makes sense."

What's next for you? I'm sure in a perfect world you'd just stay down there and transition right into spring training, but it's up in the air right now.
"I don't have any information on that. I'm in the same shoes as you. I don't know anything. All I know is I'm down here with a couple other rehab guys and we're just working out and training and hitting live down here until we get told what's going on with all that. I'm just like you. I'm on the edge of my seat trying to figure out what's going on with all that stuff, when certain things will start and where you're going to be doing spring training. I'm in the same boat as you."

You have a little more of an advantage because you're already there. I don't even know if I'm going to make it to Sarasota, so you're a step ahead of me. Who else is there rehabbing?
"Joey Ortiz, Ryan Higgins, Reed Trimble. Those are the hitters. There are a couple pitchers - Carter Baumler, (Brenan) Hanifee. There are a couple other guys, like 10 of us or so."

I've heard a lot of good things about Ortiz. How's he looking?
"He's a good player. He was rehabbing about the same time I was, so we've been around each other a lot. He's hitting live now, looking good. From what I've seen, he's a good player. That's for sure."

What about the players at the first hitters minicamp, which was loaded with prospects? Guys like Adley Rutschman, Colton Cowser, Gunnar Henderson, Jordan Westburg and Kyle Stowers. Was it impressive to see that level of talent around you?
"Oh yeah. It's awesome to be around it. It's a good group of guys and we're all competitive, so it's fun to hit in a BP group with a lot of those guys. We're all very good at what we do and it's fun to compete with them, and it's fun to know we're in the same organization and we're all going to play together at some point along the way. And also, it keeps you improving because every day you've got to bring your best. They're just as good and they're going to bring their best, so if you're slacking, it'll show."

One other thing you're waiting on is where you'll be assigned to start the season. I get asked about it all the time, which affiliate you'll be assigned to, and I keep saying the club first needs to get its eyes on you. Is that where it stands?
"I get asked that all the time and I have no clue. Wherever they want to send me. I can't control that. That's an upper-management decision and wherever they send me, I'll be ecstatic to be playing professional baseball out there and just doing my thing. That's all I can control is playing the game. The other stuff, wherever they send me, just go play some ball. That's all you can do. Play wherever they pencil you in at."