Heston Kjerstad getting called up by Orioles (source)

HOUSTON — After the Orioles’ bats went cold in Houston, they appear to be promoting a slugger who could potentially help get the offense going.

Baltimore is expected to call up outfielder Heston Kjerstad (the club’s No. 4 prospect and MLB Pipeline’s No. 21 overall prospect) on Monday before the team opens a three-game series vs. Cleveland, according to a source. The club has not confirmed the move, which will require a corresponding transaction.

This will be the third big league stint for Kjerstad, who hit .143 (2-for-14) in seven games for the O’s earlier this season. The 25-year-old received his first callup to The Show last year, when he went 7-for-30 (.233) with one double, two homers and three RBIs across 13 games in September and October.

But Kjerstad has mashed for Triple-A Norfolk this season. The No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 MLB Draft owns a .300/.397/.601 slash line with 14 doubles, one triple, 16 home runs and 58 RBIs in 56 games for the Tides.

The Orioles, who got swept by the Astros during a three-game series in Houston over the weekend, have scored only two runs over their past two games (via a pair of Jordan Westburg solo homers). The bats cooled off after Baltimore had scored 28 runs over its previous two games.

It’s possible that Kjerstad will replace utility man Nick Maton on the O’s 26-man roster. Maton was recalled on Wednesday, when Westburg’s status was uncertain due to left hip discomfort.

The Orioles needed infield depth, so they called up Maton (who is out of Minor League options) and sent down Kyle Stowers. But Westburg avoided the injured list. Now, Kjerstad could be filling the role previously occupied by Stowers — a left-handed-hitting outfielder who can make sporadic starts and provide pop off the bench.

Kjerstad has proven he can handle Triple-A pitching and has a ton of offensive potential, though, so perhaps he’ll get more playing time than in his previous tenures in the Majors.