Top Baltimore Orioles Prospects Win International League Awards

Baltimore Orioles prospects Heston Kjerstad and Cade Povich swept the International League's weekly awards after the first full week of the 2024 season.

Mar 19, 2024; Dunedin, Florida, USA; Baltimore Orioles right fielder Heston Kjerstad (13) warms up / Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports

The Baltimore Orioles saw two of its best prospects win the Player of the Week and the Pitchers of the Week awards from the Triple-A International League, where the Orioles’ affiliate, the Norfolk Tides, started the season 7-2.

For those that have been following the Tides, the player of the week selection is of little surprise — outfielder Heston Kjerstad, who is one of the Orioles’ top prospects and a Top 100 prospect in baseball.

Norfolk pitcher Cade Povich won pitcher of the week honors.

Kjerstad made waves last week after he set a Norfolk Tides record for most RBI in a game when he drove in 10 runs in a 27-11 win over Charlotte. For the game, Kjerstad went 5-for-7 with two home runs, two doubles, four runs and 10 RBI.

There was more history for Kjerstad last week, as he became the first hitter in Orioles minor league history to have four straight games with at least three RBI.

For the week, he batted .444 with nine runs, three doubles, six home runs, 21 RBI and five walks. He slashed .531/1.222/1.753. Entering this week he leads the IL in slugging (1.026), OPS (1.548), hits (18), RBI (25), and extra-base hits (10).

For some added context Kjerstad drove in 32 RBI in 76 Triple-A games last season.

Povich turns 24 this week and managed two starts against Charlotte last week, giving up just one earned run in 11 innings. He also allowed three hits and three walks. He struck out 14 and batters hit just .083 against him as he wrapped up the week with a 1-0 record.

Povich currently leads the IL in WHIP (0.55), while also ranking in opponent’s average (2nd, .083), slugging (.083), strikeouts (T-2nd, 14), and ERA (4th, 0.82).

The Tides are home all week against Yankees Triple-A affiliate Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, starting on Tuesday.