Kjerstad, Cowser among top prospects at Orioles’ Instructional League camp

The Orioles began their Instructional League camp at the Ed Smith Stadium complex in Sarasota, Florida on Monday, and many of their top prospects are there.

Among the 50 players at the camp, which will run through November 20^th, are the last two first-round draft choices, outfielders Heston Kjerstad, the top selection in 2020 who hasn’t played because of myocarditis, an enlargement of the heart, and this year’s first pick, Colton Cowser, who had an impressive start to his career this past summer.

Left-handed pitcher DL Hall, the top pick in the 2017 draft who missed much of the season because of an elbow injury, and infielders Gunnar Henderson, the team’s second-round draft pick in 2019, and Jordan Westburg, the 30^th overall pick in the 2020 draft, also are participating.

Another player of interest is pitcher Carter Baumler, an Iowa high school right-hander who was the Orioles’ fifth-round pick in 2020. Baumler is recovering from Tommy John surgery.

Some of the top prospects from Latin America — catcher Samuel Basallo, infielders Maikol Hernández and Moisés Ramirez, and outfielder Luis Gonzalez, are also on the camp roster.

The camp, which will not be open to the public or the media, won’t include games against other teams’ prospects. “The Instructional League program focuses on specific individual development to help accelerate a player’s progress through the minor league system,” the Orioles said in a statement.

Others at the camp are: right-handers Justin Armbruester,  Félix Bautista,  Kyle Brnovich, Ignacio Feliz, Keagan Gillies Dylan Heid,  Xavier Moore,  Zach Peek,  Jean Pinto, left-hander  Drew Rom, and right-handers Garrett Stallings, Adam Stauffer, Carlos Tavera, Peter Van Loon and Brandon Young, catchers Connor Pavolony, Creed Willems, infielders TT Bowens, Collin Burns, Isaac De León, Anderson De Los Santos, Adam Hall,  Darell Hernaiz,  Coby Mayo, J.D. Mundy, Connor Norby, Joey Ortiz, Moisés Ramírez, Noelberth Romero, Anthony Servideo, and Jacob Teter, outfielders Stiven Acevedo, Billy Cook, Trendon Craig, Mishael Deson, Hudson Haskin, Ryan Higgins, Elio Prado, John Rhodes, Reed Trimble and Donta’ Williams.