NORFOLK — The already struggling Norfolk Tides have gotten a little thinner.
First baseman and outfielder Heston Kjerstad, one of the top prospects in the Baltimore Orioles’ organization, was recalled to the major leagues Tuesday.
Kjerstad, 25, was batting .349 with 10 home runs and 30 RBIs through 21 Triple-A games. He joins the Orioles as first baseman Ryan Mountcastle nurses a sore knee and after Baltimore put struggling outfielder Austin Hays on the injured list with a calf strain.
The No. 4 prospect in the organization according to MLB.com, Kjerstad leaves a Norfolk team that entered Tuesday having lost 11 out of 13 games. Entering the season, the Tides were considered one of the most talented teams in the minor leagues. Infielder Jackson Holliday, the consensus top overall prospect in baseball, was recently promoted from Norfolk to the Orioles.
Kjerstad, the second overall pick in the 2020 draft out of the University of Arkansas, hit .233 with a pair of homers in 13 major league games last season.
Also, the Orioles designated slumping Tides outfielder Peyton Burdick for assignment, leaving his future unclear. He was 10 for 55 (.182) with Norfolk this season.
David Hall, david.hall@pilotonline.com.
