O's Select Heston Kjerstad With Second Overall Pick In 2020 MLB Draft
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- The Orioles announced Wednesday they have selected Heston Kjerstad from the University of Arkansas with the second overall selection of the 2020 Major League Baseball Draft.
Kjerstad, 21, hit .448/.513/.791 with five doubles, six home runs, 19 runs and 20 RBI in 16 games during his junior season, which was shortened due to COVID-19.
He led the Razorbacks in batting average, hits, home runs, RBI, total bases, on-base percentage and slugging percentage. He started all 16 games in right field and recorded at least one hit in each game.
He was named to the Golden Spikes Award Preseason Watch List, as well as being named a First-Team Preseason All-American by Baseball America, Collegiate Baseball, D1Baseball.com, and Perfect Game.
He was ranked as the No. 10 overall draft prospect by MLB.com and the No. 13 prospect by Baseball America.
WJZ Sports Director Mark Viviano caught up with Kjerstad on Wednesday night after he was drafted.
"I'm just excited to be a part of Birdland now and embark on my next journey of professional baseball," Kjerstad said. "Right now, I'm just stoked to be a part of the Orioles, and it's a dream come true for me."
The Orioles also selected infielder Jordan Westburg at No. 30 overall from Mississippi State University.
Westburg, 21, hit .317/.432/.517 with six doubles, two home runs, 17 runs and 11 RBI in 16 games during his junior season, which was shortened due to COVID-19.
He led the Bulldogs in doubles and slugging percentage, and ranked tied for the team lead in runs, home runs, and total bases.