As the MLB trade deadline creeps closer, the Minnesota Twins front office will likely be working the phones to see if they can find a left-handed bat to boost their lineup.

It might not be a splashy move like fans crave, but the best value might come from a struggling young hitter in need of a change of scenery: Heston Kjerstad, a former No. 2 overall pick who could be the perfect buy-low target for a team like the Twins.

The 26-year-old outfielder was once viewed as one of the Orioles’ cornerstone bats of the future.

Back in the abbreviated 2020 draft, Baltimore surprised many by selecting him with the second overall pick. Most draft experts projected Kjerstad in the middle of the first round, but the Orioles cut a deal with him, whereby he received an underslot signing bonus.

That allowed the organization to spend extra money later in the draft on names like Jordan Westburg and Coby Mayo, both of whom are now considered core pieces for Baltimore. In hindsight, that strategy appears to have been a win for the Orioles, but not necessarily for Kjerstad.

Health problems delayed Kjerstad’s pro debut until 2022, and while he’s had some big moments in the minors (including MVP honors in the Arizona Fall League), his transition to big-league pitching hasn’t gone as planned.

The 2025 season has been the first time Baltimore gave him a real shot at consistent playing time, but the results have been disappointing: a .192/.240/.327 slash line, four home runs, and a rough 3.6% walk rate over 167 plate appearances.

He has produced a -1.4 rWAR, one of baseball’s lowest totals this season.

Digging deeper into the numbers reveals why Kjerstad has struggled. The left-handed hitter has been protected from facing lefty pitchers, but still hasn’t produced against righties, with a .613 OPS.

His strikeout rate has ballooned to 26.9%, and he’s chasing pitches out of the zone at an alarming 38.4% clip. His swing decisions haven’t been sound enough to allow his raw power to shine through.

To his credit, his overall contact rate has improved compared to his 2023 and 2024 cups of coffee, but not enough to offset the poor zone judgment.

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Meanwhile, Baltimore’s outfield depth chart has multiple names ahead of Kjerstad. Cedric Mullins, Colton Cowser, and Tyler O’Neill are all ahead of Kjerstad in the pecking order.

Even top prospects like Mayo, who can play both third base and corner outfield sports, and Heston’s former Arkansas teammate, Westburg, look like safer bets to contribute regularly.

That glut of talent could make Kjerstad expendable. That’s where the Twins come in.

Minnesota’s need for a left-handed bat isn’t a secret. Trevor Larnach continues to ride the rollercoaster of inconsistency, and Kody Clemens (despite flashes of solid play) has largely settled into a bench role.

The Twins lineup is built on balance, but the team remains overly reliant on right-handed production. They could use a lottery ticket-type player who, with the proper adjustments, could provide impactful left-handed pop.

There’s also an intriguing connection here: Twins hitting coach Matt Borgschulte was the Orioles’ hitting coach from 2022 through 2024, so he was around for Kjerstad’s first two looks at the majors. If anyone has a sense of what makes Kjerstad tick and what might fix him, it’s Borgschulte.

That familiarity could give the Twins confidence to pursue the former top pick, with the belief that a fresh environment (and a patient-hitting program) could unlock his potential.

Of course, the Twins shouldn’t (and almost certainly wouldn’t) pay a premium price to roll the dice on Kjerstad. His stock is as low as it’s ever been.

His limited big-league success, troubling plate discipline metrics, and crowded organizational situation mean that Baltimore would likely entertain offers that don’t involve top prospects or major league-ready pieces.

At the very least, truly premium pieces would be off the table, so Derek Falvey and company could pursue Kjerstad without fear of being fleeced.

It’s also worth noting that Kjerstad’s underlying tools remain enticing. He posted enormous exit velocities in the minors and mashed his way through the Arizona Fall League. His raw power remains among the best in Baltimore’s system. The problem has been getting to that power in games.

The Twins could hope that something changes with improved swing decisions and mechanical adjustments.

For a Twins team always looking for cost-controlled options, Kjerstad represents a rare chance to buy low on a former top prospect without mortgaging the future. If it works, they’d add an affordable, controllable left-handed bat with upside—precisely what the roster needs, now and in the future.

If not, the cost would likely be low enough that the mistake wouldn’t be detrimental.

If I’m the Twins, I make the call. The risk is minimal. The upside is too good to ignore. After all, sometimes the best moves at the deadline aren’t the biggest. They’re the smartest.