Kjerstad counted among Orioles prospects moving to other positions

The switch began a few days before Heston Kjerstad left major league camp in Sarasota. Ground balls and other drills at first base, a position he hadn’t played except for three games in college before the 2020 draft. Nothing as a professional.

The activity increased over at Twin Lakes Park, and Kjerstad, normally a right fielder, played first base twice with Double-A Bowie last week and spent one game as the designated hitter.

The Baysox were off the past two days, and Kjerstad could return to the outfield tonight when they begin their first homestand against Akron. Or maybe he's slipping his hand inside a mitt again.

“We had this plan all along, for him to get exposure to first base,” said Orioles director of player development Matt Blood. “He just adds another club in his bag, for a metaphor, so that he’s got more options to play on the major league team. Whether they need him in the corner outfield or if they need him at first or to DH, it’s just going to give him another slot of opportunity for the major league team. But that was the plan all along.

“We weren’t going to put him in his first game in a major league spring training game. But as soon as he got out of major league spring training, he started playing in minor league games there at first base. You’ll see him playing at first base and in the outfield in Bowie.”

This is exactly how the Orioles explained it to Kjerstad. Just being more versatile.

“That way, you have an extra position, and there’s always certain matchups where you want to get more left-handed bats in the lineup or more right-handed bats. That’s a way to help get your bat in the lineup or have an extra position to play and make the lineup a little more hitter friendly and things like that,” he said.

“From what I’ve been told, it’s only supposed to be like maybe a couple times a week, but still playing predominantly outfield.”

So, don’t be fooled by the two starts at first and his absence from right. This isn't permanent or health related.

“We’ll still see,” he said. “They have their plan and they see certain things, and shoot, as long as I’m hitting in the lineup or whatever they see down the road, that’s up to them. I just want to show up and hit and I’ll play defense wherever I get thrown.”

The brief exposure to first at Arkansas isn’t much of a foundation.

“Definitely still new, definitely have a lot to learn and everything, but for the most part probably have the basics down and the rest is just playing in games and being put in those scenarios where you’ve got to learn it quick,” Kjerstad said.

“Just analyze the game. But there are a lot of questions I have that they can help me with, so just figure it out as we go at this point.”

The perception that anyone can play first base has proven to be a myth, and not just because of the movie “Moneyball.” Examples of failed experiments are spread thick across baseball.

“Probably just, there’s always somewhere where you need to be every play,” Kjerstad said, naming one of the most difficult components. “No matter where the ball’s hit, there’s always some spot you need to be or something like that, so you’ve got to know where you’re supposed to be every play.”

How the organization strives to increase its versatility and flexibility was never more apparent than on Saturday, when Kjerstad started at first base, Jordan Westburg made his first professional appearance in left field with Triple-A Norfolk, and 2022 first-overall draft pick Jackson Holliday started at second base for Single-A Delmarva.

Westburg has made his usual tour of the infield with appearances at shortstop, second base and third base. Holliday has played in only 23 games since leaving high school – 16 at short, six at second base and one as the designated hitter.

Kjerstad’s debut was stalled after it was revealed in 2020, when the Orioles made him the second-overall pick out of the University of Arkansas, that he had myocarditis, an inflammation in the heart that would keep him from playing until last summer. His games in the field put him exclusively in right, but early exposure to the Double-A level has brought some changes.

The crowds at each affiliate speak to the dramatic improvement in talent and depth in the farm system, which used to be so hollow that it echoed. And smart organizations prepare for the inevitable logjam in the majors.

There are multiple methods for unclogging it. Trades can be consummated, whether relieving the roster of major league or minor league talent. Or players can switch positions, landing in softer spots.

“Look at Delmarva and you’ve got four legitimate shortstops on that team,” Blood said. “You’ve only got six days a week that they’re playing, so do the math, you know? That doesn’t really bode well for all of them to play shortstop every day. They’re going to have to move around – second, short, third, maybe a little bit of outfield. And in reality, that’s probably good for them to be exposed to all those positions.”

The top 30 prospects list at MLB Pipeline doesn’t list a single first baseman for the Orioles. Ryan Mountcastle is their undisputed starter and a middle-of-the-order bat who isn’t eligible for free agency until 2027. The need might not qualify as pressing, but it makes sense to consider alternatives, including Bowie’s Coby Mayo, a third baseman who could move across the diamond.  

The infield is flush with prospects. Gunnar Henderson graduated from the top of baseball rankings and is going to have a long-term presence on the left side. Westburg, Joey Ortiz and Connor Norby could debut later in the summer if they check the remaining boxes created by the player development staff, and space is available.

Testing Westburg in the outfield sounds like a possible solution, except he runs into another crowd.

Austin Hays, Cedric Mullins and Anthony Santander are roadblocks. Colton Cowser is hovering, and he becomes more of an option this summer if he can cut down on his strikeouts. Kjerstad was supposed to be planted in right after traveling the fast track to the majors, but his health crisis delayed those plans.

Kjerstad was the Most Valuable Player in the Arizona Fall League. He also stood out in spring training, and the loud contact woke up residents in the surrounding neighborhoods. Birds fled their nests in the light towers. Car alarms were activated.

You had to be there.

The Orioles are prioritizing ways to keep playing him while also allowing him to develop as a hitter and fielder. And he isn’t alone.

“It’s really the org’s philosophy. We’ve been doing it since I’ve been here," Blood said.

"You’ll see Gunnar move around, you see Ortiz, Westburg, all these guys. Connor Norby has played second, he’s played the outfield. It’s just because you never know when they get to the major leagues exactly what the roster construction’s going to be, and the more positions that they’re capable of playing, the more lineup iterations are available to the manager.”