Kjerstad Crowned Arizona Fall League MVP

Oliver Grigg November 14, 2022

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Former Razorback star and current Baltimore Orioles top prospect Heston Kjerstad was crowned the Arizona Fall League’s Most Valuable Player.

The @MLBazFallLeague MVP 🐗 pic.twitter.com/YXJQh8KUUR

— Arkansas Baseball (@RazorbackBSB) November 14, 2022

Kjerstad, selected by Baltimore with the second overall pick of the 2020 MLB Draft, was honored with the 2022 Joe Black MVP Award after slashing .357/.385/.622 with five homers and 17 RBI in 22 games for the Scottsdale Scorpions.

The Orioles prospect, who was named to the Fall Stars Game and finished as the runner-up in the league’s inaugural Home Run Derby, led the AFL in hits (35), doubles (nine), extra-base hits (15) and total bases (61).

As a Razorback, Kjerstad slashed .343/.421/.590 with 37 homers and 129 RBI over 150 career games from 2018-20. He was named the SEC Freshman of the Year in 2018 before becoming the second-highest draft pick in school history in 2020.

The complete list of AFL Joe Black MVP Award winners is below:

2022 — Heston Kjerstad, OF, Scottsdale (Orioles)
2021 — Nelson Velázquez, OF, Mesa (Cubs)
2019 — Royce Lewis, SS/OF, Salt River (Twins)
2018 — Keston Hiura, 2B, Peoria (Brewers)
2017 — Ronald Acuña, OF, Peoria (Braves)
2016 — Gleyber Torres, SS, Scottsdale (Yankees)
2015 — Adam Engel, OF, Glendale (White Sox)
2014 — Greg Bird, 1B, Scottsdale (Yankees)
2013 — Kris Bryant, 3B, Mesa (Cubs)
2012 — Chris McGuiness, 1B, Surprise (Rangers)
2011 — Nolan Arenado, 3B, Salt River (Rockies)
2010 — Dustin Ackley, 2B, Peoria (Mariners)
2009 — Grant Desme, OF, Phoenix (Athletics)
2008 — Tommy Hanson, RHP, Mesa (Braves)
2007 — Sam Fuld, OF, Mesa (Cubs)
2006 — Chip Cannon, 1B, Phoenix (Blue Jays)
2005 — Eric Duncan, 3B, Grand Canyon (Yankees)
2004 — Chris Shelton, DH, Grand Canyon (Tigers)
2003 — Jason Dubois, OF, Mesa (Cubs)
2002 — Ken Harvey, 1B, Scottsdale (Royals)

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