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The Orioles gave Heston Kjerstad plenty of chances in their lineup and outfield before the next round of players returning from the injured list finally forced a move. He was optioned today to Triple-A Norfolk, with a specific plan that interim manager Tony Mansolino referenced but didn’t detail.
Kjerstad hit .192 with five doubles, two triples, four home runs, 19 RBIs, six walks, 45 strikeouts and a .566 OPS in 54 games. He also had some mishaps in right field, and he wasn’t in the lineup for the three-game series in Sacramento.
“We saw it more as an opportunity to make some adjustments and make some changes,” Mansolino said. “I think what we didn’t want to do is just say, ‘Hey, go get ‘em.’ That’s obviously not the right message when a guy struggles here as talented as Hess and as good as this kid is, can be. There’s something that we’re missing, right?
“I think we’ve seen a lot of examples of really good players who at some point get optioned back out and they kind of show back up with a vengeance and become the players that they’re supposed to be. So I think as you talk to Hess you explain that, and he was great, he understood. Obviously disappointed to get sent out, but a lot of self-awareness and a lot of understanding that this is probably more an opportunity than anything else.”
Mansolino said it’s the “whole game” that Kjerstad will focus on after going back down.
“There’s a lot of things that he can get better on out there, and I think that’s OK to say and to understand,” Mansolino said. “I think he understands that, too.”
The issues playing the outfield also factored into today’s decision, and the Orioles believe he can improve. Mansolino used former Royals third baseman-turned-outfielder Alex Gordon as an example. Gordon won eight Gold Gloves in left.
“There are ways to get better,” Mansolino said. “There are major league players that are getting better on a daily basis in the outfield, so for a guy, I think Hess is 26 years old and still relatively inexperienced in the outfield in professional baseball, there’s absolutely a path forward from there. He’s just got to kind of take it.”
The Orioles eventually will try again with Kjerstad, the second-overall pick in the 2020 draft out of the University of Arkansas. They’ve stuck by him through a diagnosis of myocarditis and the hamstring injury that also delayed his debut, the concussion, the cold spells at the plate.
Executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias and former manager Brandon Hyde spoke in spring training about Kjerstad earning more consistent playing time and at-bats. This was his time. But Colton Cowser and Cedric Mullins returned from the injured list, which squeezed Kjerstad from the roster. The more productive and versatile Dylan Carlson remains, with a decision on him looming.
Mansolino said there’s a “very small percent” that outfielder Tyler O’Neill and catcher Gary Sánchez will return during the homestand. It seems more likely that they’re reinstated on the next road trip.
Meanwhile, Kjerstad will return to a less pressurized environment in Triple-A and work on the physical and mental side of the game.
“A little bit of both,” Mansolino said. “It’s hard to have confidence when you struggle. You can’t fake confidence.
“If there’s a mechanical issue or something, he’s got to make those adjustments, whatever they may be. I think we’ve got good information on as to what it can be and he’ll go down with an open mind and he’ll do it. And we expect to see him back at some point and be the guy we think he can be.”
Mansolino also said Coby Mayo will play first base unless there’s a need at third. They want him focusing on one position.
Mayo is batting eighth tonight, ahead of Mullins, who’s returned from the injured list and serving as designated hitter. Jordan Westburg also was reinstated today and he’s starting at third base.
Ramón Laureano is in left field and Ryan O’Hearn is in right.
For the Orioles
Jackson Holliday 2B
Adley Rutschman C
Gunnar Henderson SS
Ramón Laureano LF
Ryan O’Hearn RF
Jordan Westburg 3B
Colton Cowser CF
Coby Mayo 1B
Cedric Mullins DH
Cade Povich LHP
Zach Eflin and Dean Kremer are starting the last two games of the series.
Second-round draft pick Ethan Anderson, the No. 18 prospect in the system per MLB Pipeline, went on High-A Aberdeen’s seven-day injured list today. The catcher/first baseman is batting .240/.319/.329 in 41 games.
For the Tigers
Jahmai Jones DH
Gleyber Torres 2B
Riley Greene LF
Dillon Dingler C
Spencer Torkelson 1B
Zach McKinstry 3B
Wenceel Pérez RF
Javier Báez SS
Parker Meadows CF
Brant Hurter LHP
The Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation and Major League Baseball’s Nike RBI program are announcing a partnership Thursday that creates the “Ripken Foundation - Nike RBI Initiative,” which supports instructional baseball and softball leagues at 30 organizations across 14 states. The goal is to expand access to the sport across the country.
Each participating site will receive a cash grant, equipment package, instructional materials and videos, and different camp and clinic opportunities. The states immediately impacted include Maryland, California, Connecticut, Florida, Indiana, Maine, Minnesota, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.
Cal Ripken Jr. will speak Thursday at The Harry & Jeanette Family Center Y at Stadium Place in Baltimore, the site of the first Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation Youth Development Park.
