Orioles to recall top outfield prospect Heston Kjerstad after tormenting Triple-A pitching

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The Orioles are going to recall top outfield prospect Heston Kjerstad on Tuesday, according to Jacob Calvin Meyer of the Baltimore Sun.

Kjerstad, who is ranked as the No. 43 prospect in baseball, will be added to the Orioles’ 26-man roster after placing outfielder Austin Hays on the 10-day injured list with a calf strain.

Kjerstad, 25, is hitting .349 with a 1.176 OPS for Triple-A Norfolk this season. He leads all Triple-A hitters with 10 home runs and 30 RBIs.

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The power-hitting lefty made his MLB debut last September and quickly showcased why he is considered a top prospect in the game. Kjerstad hit two homers with a .748 OPS in 13 games, but he struck out 30% of the time during that span.

“Kjerstad still has a unique swing with a high leg kick and a short stroke to the baseball, and he shows a knack for finding the barrel and hitting the ball hard at good angles,” wrote Baseball America. “Kjerstad is advanced at formulating attack plans based on the pitcher he’s facing and proved adept at making contact on pitches in the zone, but he’s not a particularly stingy swinger, which could create challenges in the majors.

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“However, his ability to put the bat on the ball could make him an average hitter with plus or better power. Kjerstad generates impressive carry off the bat and boasts power to all fields, often letting the location of the pitch determine where he drives it. While Kjerstad has worked some at first base to add versatility, his is a traditional corner outfield profile with a strong arm and decent athleticism but likely fringe-average overall defense,” added Baseball America.

Kjerstad will join an Orioles team that is stacked with former top prospects and high draft picks. Baltimore currently has former or current No. 1 prospects Adley Rutschman, Gunnar Henderson, and Jackson Holliday on its major-league roster. Colton Cowser, Grayson Rodriguez, and Jordan Westburg, who have also been top 100 prospects the last few years, are also on the roster.