Just one season removed from unanimously winning the AL Rookie of the Year, Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson is on pace for his first career MVP.
Henderson continued his historic start by hitting his 10th homer this season in Baltimore’s April 29th win over the Yankees. The 22-year-old became the youngest player to record double-digit home runs before May 1st, surpassing Trevor Story who was 23. He is also the third player in Orioles history with 10 or more before May 1st.
“He’s 22 years old,” Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said afterward. “It’s pretty scary how good this guy’s going to be. How good he is already.”
Gunnar Henderson unanimously won the American League Rookie of the Year in his first full season in the majors last season. The star shortstop finished the 2023 season batting .255/.325/.489 with 28 homers, 82 RBIs and a .814 OPS. His strong rookie campaign earned him his first career Silver Slugger and placed him eighth in MVP voting last season. Now, the 22-year-old is making his case to unanimously win the American League MVP in his second major league season.
10 HR before the month of May at age 22 or younger:
Gunnar Henderson … that’s the list 🔥
(H/T @SlangsOnSports) pic.twitter.com/3tcZq0jcQK
— MLB (@MLB) April 30, 2024
Gunnar Henderson is In a League of His Own
Henderson has been one of the league’s hottest hitters to begin his sophomore season. Through his first 28 games, Henderson is batting .289/.352/.632 with 10 homers, 23 RBI and a .983 OPS. He leads the American League in slugging percentage (.632), runs (25), and extra-base hits (16). His 10 home runs are tied for first with Angels center fielder Mike Trout in the AL and MLB. Henderson has hit four homers in his last six games and seven in the past 13.
For reference, Shohei Ohtani who won his second MVP last season, was batting .292 with six homers, 17 runs and 17 RBI through his first 27 games.
Henderson has the third-best odds for American League MVP behind Yankees outfielder Juan Soto and Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. He edges them both in home runs and slugging percentage this season but trails them in every other statistical category.
Orioles In a Heavyweight Boxing Match
His contributions have helped the Orioles now 18-10 take back their lead in the AL East from the Yankees. How Henderson plays through Baltimore’s next 134 games will determine where the star shortstop finishes in AL MVP voting. But at the very least, Gunnar Henderson is on pace for his first All-Star Game nomination.
“Any time you can face a lineup like that, especially in the division, you know you’re going to be in for a dogfight,” said Grayson Rodriguez, “and that’s what it was.”
This could be the start of plenty of thrilling matchups as the rivals battle for the AL East crown.
Main Photo: © Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
