This Orioles prospect could have a better career than Jackson Holiday

Few MLB farm systems are as stacked as that of the Baltimore Orioles. They have three prospects ranked in the top 15 of MLB Pipeline's top 100, including the No. 1 overall-ranked Jackson Holiday.

There is, however, another Orioles youngster currently tearing it up in the major leagues. Heston Kjerstad, having just lost his official prospect eligibility, has been on a tear since having been recalled up to the big leagues on June 24. All the attention has been on him and he has been living up to the expectations.

Over the past few years, amid the mass amount of talent all throughout their organization, most of the hype has been surrounding Jackson Holiday, who is considered a superstar in the making and a potential generational player. Kjerstad, however, has all the tools and skills necessary to have just as good of a career as Holiday, if not better. He deserves more hype.

Kjerstad, the Orioles' second overall pick in the 2020 MLB Draft, is a player defined by power, perseverance and now, (although in a small sample size) proven success at the highest level. Standing at 6-foot-3 and weighing 205 pounds, Kjerstad is a left-handed outfielder known for his impressive power.

His college career at the University of Arkansas was marked by a .343 AVG, with 37 home runs and 129 RBI over three seasons. Kjerstad’s raw power is evident and his ability to drive the ball to all fields makes him a formidable offensive force.

Since being called up to the big leagues three different times over the last two seasons, Kjerstad has excelled, proving that his talents translate to the highest level of competition. In 16 games this season, he is slashing .300/.404/.500 with four extra-base hits and nine RBI, including a clutch grand slam last week against the Texas Rangers.

Jackson Holiday, on the other hand, was historically unproductive during his only major league stint earlier this year. In 10 games (34 at-bats), he had two total hits, an OPS of .170 and 18 strikeouts. His major league potential is still very high, of course, but it will probably be a long time till we see him again on the Orioles roster.

Kjerstad’s recent success in the major leagues demonstrates his ability to contribute at the highest level right now. His powerful bat and resilience have made him a critical asset for the Orioles and if he can keep up his pace he should continue to earn a larger role on the team throughout the rest of the season.