Piggyback pitching on the farm and Kjerstad close to pro debut

Especially at low Single-A Delmarva, but possibly at other affiliates as well, the Orioles could use a piggyback pitching system in some minor league games again this year.

Last April in this story, we told you about this coming to the O's farm in advance of the start of the 2021 minor league season. It is essentially where one of the affiliates gets two starting pitchers or starting rotation candidates into the same game, with one going the first part of the contest and the other the second part or last part of the game.

There were instances last year when we saw a pitcher used in innings one through four or five - sometimes a reliever got the fifth - and then another pitcher would throw innings six through nine.

It was probably more important last season in the O's organization as they were coming off a 2020 season with no minor league games. It allowed them to use pitchers in regular rotations, but also limit their innings.

"It helps us build up starters, which is what we want to do," director of player development Matt Blood said about the plan before last season. "We want to get as many opportunities to develop starters. And a starter doesn't necessarily have to start the game, but it means that you can go multiple innings - three, four or five innings. And we want to build up guys that can do that."

Orioles minor league spring training officially begins on Monday in Sarasota, although more than 40 players have been taking part in workouts and drills there in recent weeks as well.

Pitchers and catchers not on the 40-man roster officially report for minor league camp Feb. 28, and position players arrive March 8. Opening day for Triple-A Norfolk is at home April 5 versus Charlotte, and the regular season ends Sept. 28. Bowie opens April 8 at home versus Richmond and ends the season on Sept. 18. Aberdeen opens at Jersey Shore on April 8 and ends its year Sept. 11. And Delmarva opens at home versus Fredericksburg on April 8 and wraps it up Sept. 11. The minor league teams will play outside organizations in spring games starting around mid-March.

Jeff Kunkel is the camp coordinator for the minor league players and is leading minors spring training.

Kjerstad closes in on pro debut: With the minor league season set to start in April, outfielder Heston Kjerstad doesn't have long to wait now. The Orioles' top draft pick in 2020 has not played in a game since March 11, 2020, when he went 2-for-5 for the Arkansas Razorbacks against Grand Canyon. He was batting .448 after 16 games of the 2020 college season, but the pandemic would end the year right then and there.

The Orioles would select him No. 2 overall a few months later in the draft, but due to a diagnosis of myocarditis, he did not play in a game in 2021.

But he is healthy and 100 percent now and has been making up for lost time under the Florida sun. There he took part in the Orioles fall instructional league and also in two recent mini-camps. He has had some at-bats in game-simulation conditions that are tougher than standard batting practice. So, with no pun intended, he is getting back into the swing of things.

Blood said Kjerstad has looked real good so far in getting back to being a full-go for this coming season.

"Very much so," Blood said. "Been a very positive experience so far with him. He's a big, physical guy with a real confidence and presence about him. He's a leader and he's got real baseball skills. It starts with his power and his ability to hit the ball hard. We're excited about that."

Kjerstad was 21 on draft day, and just recently turned 23. He had put together a very strong 16 games in 2020 before the pandemic canceled the rest of the college season. He was hitting .448/.513/.791 with five doubles, six home runs and 20 RBIs. He hit .327/.400/.575 with 13 doubles, one triple, 17 home runs and 51 RBIs in 300 plate appearances as a sophomore, and .332/.419/.553 with 16 doubles, 14 home runs and 58 RBIs in 313 plate appearances in his first season in the college game. As a true freshman in 2018, Kjerstad was named the Southeast Conference Freshman of the Year.

Soon the Orioles and their fans get to track how he does when he finally takes the field. He seems likely to start the 2022 season with low Single-A Delmarva.

.@hestonkjerstad is swingin' and smilin' 🙌 pic.twitter.com/M9G8V1rzX7

-- Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) November 5, 2021

.@hestonkjerstad is pursuing his big-league goals with a renewed perspective on baseball and life. pic.twitter.com/xuCHHgNg0z

-- Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) November 5, 2021