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Orioles prospect named Arizona Fall League MVP
Former Arkansas Razorbacks outfielder Heston Kjerstad (18), and current Baltimore Orioles prospect, singles in the eighth inning against the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the 2019 College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park. Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports

Orioles prospect named Arizona Fall League MVP

By Mike Santa Barbara  |  Last updated 11/12/22

Baltimore Orioles prospect Heston Kjerstad is this year's Arizona Fall League MVP. 

The 23-year-old outfielder led the league in hits (35), doubles (9), and total bases (61), batting .357/.385/.622 with five home runs and 17 RBI. 

Selected No. 2 overall by the Orioles in the 2020 MLB Draft out of Arkansas, Kjerstad didn't play his first professional baseball game until this season due to symptoms from Myocarditis, a viral infection that can cause inflammation of the heart muscles and an irregular heartbeat. 

After missing two seasons, Kjerstad isn't dwelling on the past, saying in a recent interview on MLB Network, "you just gotta persevere and keep moving forward and see what you can learn." 

As for his game, Kjerstad says he thinks he's in a "good spot" heading into the offseason, but the work isn't finished. 

"[There's] still things I need to improve and things I need to get better at," Kjerstad said. 

Kjerstad split time with the Orioles Single-A (Delmarva) and High-A (Aberdeen) affiliates, batting .309/.394/.457 with five homers and 17 RBI. 

MLB Pipeline ranks Kjerstad as the Orioles' No. 9 prospect. 

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