2020 1st round pick (2): Heston Kjerstad - OF - (Junior) (Arkansas)

[weams]

Heston Kjerstad Scouting Report

Height: 6′ 3″ | Weight: 200 lbs

Bats: Left | Throws: Right

Position(s): Outfield

A corner outfielder is expected to have some power in his bat, and that’s just what Heston Kjerstad brings to the table. His raw power grades out as plus and it’s the best of all of his tools. He’s been able to use it to all fields in college, and he’s shown the ability to hit for power against high end pitching. But with that power has come plenty of strikeouts for a high profile college hitter, too. That leaves some concerns about just how much average he’ll hit for in the future – though the feeling is that the power will be enough to carry a lower average that his slightly below-average hit tool could return.

Defensively he’s seen time at first base and the corner outfield spots, but the corner outfield spots both seem like reasonable options. His arm will play just fine in right field, though it won’t stand out. From a range perspective he’s got enough speed to remain in the outfield.

Where the concern could be

How much will Heston Kjerstad hit? Beyond the strikeout-to-walk ratio numbers being a little bit concerning for a potential 1st round pick, there are also some concerns about his swing mechanics. The pieces are there – his bat is quick, he’s strong and can use the entire field – but to get the most from his bat there may need to be plenty of work done along the way to properly take advantage of all of those things. (From https://redsminorleagues.com/2020/05/18/2020-mlb-draft-scouting-report-heston-kjerstad/)

https://www.mlb.com/video/2020-draft-heston-kjerstad-of?t=mlb-draft

https://www.royalsreview.com/2020/6/10/21286382/2020-draft-prospect-heston-kjerstad

 

 

[SteveA]

We're on the clock.

[eddie83]

I’m floored.   

[backwardsk]

???  

MLB tracker does not say Martin.

[ThomasTomasz]

Underslot I guess.  Or while we rebuild, we want to be entertained by someone who could hit the warehouse. 

[Tony-OH]

Just now, backwardsk said:

???  

MLB tracker does not say Martin.

Sorry, it appears weams got ahead of himself..

[backwardsk]

Someone give the phonetic spelling, please.

[Enjoy Terror]

Uhhh

[weams]

13 minutes ago, weams said:

Info, Video, Scouting

http://baseballprospectjournal.com/heston-kjerstad-is-an-elite-power-hitter/

 

[Catch 8]

Wow

[canonfaz]

Ugh. Not thrilled right now. Elias definitely rolling the dice.

[SteveA]

On MLB Network they said he was a LH bat, while Greg Pappas' top 100 list he posted on this board says switch hitter.   Which?

[dbmillertime]

Wouldn’t Veen or Hassell been better underslots?

[weams]

1 minute ago, Tony-OH said:

Sorry, it appears weams got ahead of himself..

I did. But I must say, I'm not unhappy!

[interloper]

Interesting. Big lefty power.