Kjerstad introduced as Orioles begin returning to Baltimore

The first step to getting back on the field is underway for the Orioles.

FILTER BACK TO BALTIMORE TOREPORT FOR SUMMER TRAINING.

ASPLAYERS MADE THEIR WAY TOCAMDEN YARDS TODAY... TEAMMANAGEMENT INTORDUCED THEIRNEWEST TOP PROSPECT.

WMA━2NEWS SHAWN STEPNER HAS MORE.The first step to getting backon the field is underway forOrioles General Manager MikeElias and company.

Mike Elias,Orioles General Manager: Welaunched the intake.

Itunderway and wealong right now and playersare undergoing intake.

TheCOVI━19 health screeningintake held outside OriolePark at Camden Yards beginningWednesday with the firsto━field workouts for theBirds set for Friday.

Eliasspeaking from his home duringa virtual press conference tointroduce 2020 No.

2 overalldraft pick Heston Kjerstad.Elias: What we saw that led usto select Heston with thispick was a rare combination ofpower and the ability to hitfor average and what we feelis a swing and an approachthat will convert thatproduction to the professionalgame and hopefully the majorleagues.

Kjerstad: Pumped tobe a part of the Oriolesorganization.

I think itgreat organization.

Honestly,itKjerstad signing his firstcontract on Tuesday, whichincludes a $5.2 millionsigning bonus.

The 2━yea━old outfielder out of theUniversity of Arkansas hit.448with five doubles, six homeruns and 20 RBI in 16 gamesduring his junior season,which was shortened due to thepandemic.

Headdition to the rebuildingOdefinitely have a lot oftalent coming up in theirminor league system and Ithink itplace for me to be able todevelop and reach my fullpotential.

That minor leaguesystem wondevelopment this summer.

Minorleague seasons canceled.

Nodestination for Kjerstad in2020.

Kjerstad: Itdefinitely tough not beingable to go out and play gamesbecause me, personally, Ithink thatimprove as a player is to beplaying every day and facinghigh level competition.

Itdoes not sound like Kjerstadwill be part of the Orioles6━player pool this year.Elias citing risks to rosterflexibility if he were tothrow the young outfielderinto that mix.

Shawn Stepner,WMA━2 News.LET'S CHECK IN WI