Gunning for History
The Orioles are one of the most exciting teams in baseball. They are coming off of a hundred win season and made a huge splash in the offseason acquiring Corbin Burnets to anchor a rotation with John Means, Kyle Bradish, and Dean Kremer. They are currently ahead of the Yankees in the AL East sporting a 26-13 record as of the start of play on May 13th, 2024. And while the acquisition of Burnes improves massively the rotation, the lineup’s development is more important. Mainstays such as Anthony Santander and Cedric Mullins are the veterans who are mentoring the next generation of Baltiomre’s youngsters. Which includes players such as Gunnar Henderson, Colton Cowser, Jordan Westburg, and Herston Kjerstad. They are just some Baltimore’s minor league graduates who have come up from their top farm system and made an impact at the big league level. Sepite all of the talent leaving the farm, the O’s sporks the #1 minor league system in the bigs, headlined by the #1 prospect in baseball, Jackson Holiday. And while Holiday struggled in his first taste of MLB action, Baltimore fans need not worry because they might have a future all time great shortstop on their hands.
Gunnar Henderson won rookie of the year last year hitting 28 HRs and posting a respectable OPs of .814. He helped add some much needed infield power to the O’s lineup en route to their division title. And so far for his second full season he looks even better at the plate. He has upped his hard hit rate and barrel rate which has reward him with improved slugging and contact numbers. And despite striking out and walking at roughly the same clip, he has chased less pitches out of the zone which has him on pace to record 200 hits and 100 runs scored along with a shot at joining the 40 HR club. These small changes have upped his OPs to .937 and has him leading the American League in homers with 12 and total bases with 88. He also has six stolen bases thus far with his elite sprint speed and he could be a candidate for a 30-30 season if he increases his attempts come summertime. He also is an above average defender, posting a defensive rating of three outs above average showcasing his strong arm and athletic ability at short. His Defensive metrics kindly rate him at 0.5 dWAR, which brings his total WAR value to 2.6, which is tied for 4th in the league with Shohei Ohtani (the NL MVP front runner).
If Henderson helps lead the Orioles to the playoffs at the pace he is on, he has a chance to be in the mix for the American League MVP award. If he were to win it, he would etch his name in the record books, becoming the youngest player to win MVP since fellow shortstop and Baltimore Orioles legend Cal Ripken Jr. did it in 1983. Being younger than Hall of Fame players such as Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, and Lou Gehrig. That is quite the company to be in and it is a possibility with the talent and torrid start that Henderson has had to begin the year.
By Jackson Westfall