478 replies to this topic

[BSLChrisStoner]

Added back to the roster.

[BSLChrisStoner]

• Kjerstad positioned for expanded role in Orioles' OF as camp kicks off

[BSLChrisStoner]

Knocked out of the game today after being hit on the elbow.

[BSLChrisStoner]

Xrays negative.

[Mike B]

Xrays negative.

Thanks to the guard. Nevertheless 100 on the elbow sucks 

[NewMarketSean]

Jesus does this guy seem to get thrown at a lot or what? Serious bad luck and that doesn’t even include his past health issues.

[weird-O]

Heston can't catch a break. The league loves to hit him.

[JeremyStrain]

Heston can't catch a break. The league loves to hit him.

Reminds me of Kakes, used to get hit all the time too, until one really impacted his career when it broke his Hamate Bone.

[1970]

There’s another possibility regarding “what’s wrong with Heston?”  We are talking about very small sample sizes here, but just looking at the raw numbers…

 

In his MLB career up to July 12, 2024 (only 93 PAs), Heston’s slash line was .284 / .370 / .506 / .876 with a wOBA of .375 and a wRC+ of 148.

 

His career numbers since that date: .189 / .249 / .292 / .541 with a wOBA of .242 and a wRC+ of 55.

 

If being drilled in the head played any part in the above before and after splits, he certainty wouldn’t be the first player (or even first Orioles player) to have a career go a bit sideways following a beaning.  Paul Blair was beaned by Ken Tatum on May 31, 1970.  I read many times over the years that he was never the same hitter after that.  His Orioles career stats pre and post beaning seem to support that notion - even though not nearly as sever as what has happened to Heston (again, in a very small sample size).

 

Just a thought.

[BSLChrisStoner]

MASN: Holliday on Kjerstad's Spring

https://www.masnspor...erstads-spring/

 

Kjerstad’s career keeps stalling due to his health, beginning with the heart condition myocarditis that was diagnosed shortly after the Orioles made him the second-overall pick in the 2020 draft. He strained his hamstring after being cleared to play, and was getting on a roll at the plate when Yankees reliever Clay Holmes nailed him on the helmet with a 97 mph fastball on July 12, 2024 at Camden Yards.

The concussion symptoms returned later in the summer, limiting Kjerstad to only 39 games. He made the club out of spring training last year but didn’t hit in the majors or at Triple-A Norfolk, and the Orioles shut him down in July with an explanation that he was fatigued.

Kjerstad didn’t elaborate when speaking to the media earlier this week after hitting his second live batting practice home run on the stadium field.

“Back to full health, feeling great,” he said. “Excited to be here. Got a great team rolling in this year. Really pumped to be healthy and see what I can do this season.”

Holliday is just as excited to watch Kjerstad barreling pitches again, including the line drive to left field off Shane Baz a few days ago and a pair of singles off Kyle Bradish.

“It’s been hard to watch as a friend, knowing just kind of the stuff he’s been going through,” Holliday said. “I’m just excited for him to come in healthy and do his thing, because when he’s healthy, he’s seriously one of the better hitters that I’ve seen. He has such a good approach and such a great swing that he can handle so many different pitches and shapes.

“The last year, he probably doesn’t want to remember too much about, but the other times that he was in the big leagues he’s had success and has been a great asset. I’ll be rooting for him bigtime. It’s just fun to watch him right now, live at-bats, kind of be him. He’s killing it right now, so it’s fun to watch.”

[BSLSteveBirrer]

Rooting like heck for Heston to be healthy this year and see if he can be an everyday MLB player.

[NewMarketSean]

Probably not going to crack the MLB roster unless someone gets hurt or underperforms. 

[Pedro Cerrano]

Can he play 3B

[Mackus]

Probably not going to crack the MLB roster unless someone gets hurt or underperforms.

More than one someone, I think. If he hits at Norfolk he can force the issue. I imagine they still believe in the talent but he's gotta prove it in the minors first.

[weird-O]

Roch said Kjerstad has one option left.  

[Mackus]

Roch said Kjerstad has one option left.

Yeah, he does.

You can always check Fangraphs for option status. It's not 100% accurate but pretty reliable.

[weird-O]

Yeah, he does.

You can always check Fangraphs for option status. It's not 100% accurate but pretty reliable.

Good to know. I don't usually have a reason to wonder about that. But with him, it's different. With one option and being 27, it seems like time is running out.

[Mackus]

Good to know. I don't usually have a reason to wonder about that. But with him, it's different. With one option and being 27, it seems like time is running out.

Options are good for the year, so if they send him down once he's healthy, they can bring him up and send him down throughout the year (I think 4 times is the limit). It's next year he'll have to be on the roster or exposed to waivers.

[weird-O]

Options are good for the year, so if they send him down once he's healthy, they can bring him up and send him down throughout the year (I think 4 times is the limit). It's next year he'll have to be on the roster or exposed to waivers.

LOL, shows how little I know about options. I thought 1 option meant one round trip up or down

I appreciate the explanation.