Orioles Star Prospect Has Clear Role As He Competes For Opening Day Spot

Spring Training will be must-see TV for Baltimore Orioles fans and others around the league as the majority of their elite prospect and future stars will be competing for a roster spot during this time period.

While many are fixated on baseball's No. 1 prospect, Jackson Holliday, another player seemingly has an open path to making the Opening Day roster after general manager Mike Elias laid out exactly what he thinks this prospect's role will be at the Major League level.

"He’s a good defender in right field in the dimensions in Camden Yards ... I think right field is a good spot for him," Elias said at the Winter Meetings about their No. 3 overall prospect, Heston Kjerstad.

Known for his elite bat, the 24-year-old was able to get his first experience in the bigs when called up last season during mid-September.

In 13 games and 30 at-bats, Kjerstad recorded a slash line of .233/.281/.467 with two home runs and three RBI with the Orioles.

If the star prospect is able to put together a good performance in Spring Training, he could take over the fourth outfielder role after Aaron Hicks departed following the 2023 season.

Kjerstad's bat will always keep him in the conversation about prospects who should be called up to Baltimore's Major League roster.

During his two seasons in the minors, he has a career slash line of .305/.382/.504 with 26 homers and 92 RBI over 187 games.

It's very likely that Kjerstad will get some reps at designated hitter this season if he's with the team early on, but to play a huge role with the Orioles like he's projected to do, the slugger will have to find a defensive position.

Elias seems to think right field is where he'll be moving forward.

He'll have the opportunity to showcase that very soon.