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Orioles giving up on former top draft choice is another black mark against Mike Elias

The Baltimore Orioles waiving Heston Kjerstad is emblematic of a bigger problem surrounding Mike Elias's top draft picks.

By Brian Burrows · Birds Watcher

Published: Monday, 2 November 2026 at 10:07 PM

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Brian Burrows argues that waiving former top pick Heston Kjerstad marks another drafting failure for Mike Elias.
Kjerstad, selected second overall in 2020, has reportedly been waived and will become a free agent.
The writer contends that Elias has failed to adequately develop top draft picks since 2019.

The Story in 60 Seconds

Writer Brian Burrows argues that the Baltimore Orioles waiving former second overall draft pick Heston Kjerstad represents another significant failure for executive Mike Elias. According to a report from Andy Kostka of the Baltimore Banner, Kjerstad was waived after playing 117 games across four seasons and will become a free agent.

Burrows contends that Elias has struggled with draft development since selecting Adley Rutschman and Gunnar Henderson in 2019. The article criticizes the performance and health struggles of subsequent high picks, arguing that poor drafting and failure to trade prospects for proven talent have caused Baltimore to miss the playoffs in consecutive seasons.

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Orioles giving up on former top draft choice is another black mark against Mike Elias

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