Baltimore Orioles third baseman Gunnar Henderson was named AL Rookie of the Yr on Monday in a unanimous vote.
Henderson notched all 30 first-place votes from baseball writers, a reward for lighting up big-league pitching throughout his first full season in MLB. Regardless of some early struggles on the plate, Henderson — one in every of Baltimore‘s most fun homegrown abilities — nonetheless grew to become the primary Oriole in almost 35 years to be named high rookie.
Henderson slugs his solution to the award
It seems that 2023 was simply the beginning of an extended and profitable profession for Henderson, whom the Orioles picked within the second spherical of the 2019 MLB Draft.
Henderson made his main league debut in 2022 however grew to become an on a regular basis participant in 2023 as Baltimore stunned baseball by successful 101 video games and the AL East title. The 22-year-old completed tied for the workforce lead in dwelling runs in the course of the common season, whereas his 82 RBI had been second solely behind veteran outfielder Anthony Santander. Henderson’s 274 whole bases had been additionally second behind Santander.
Henderson’s achievements on the plate noticed him choose up a Silver Slugger award, which is uncommon for a participant in his first full season. He hit 23 dwelling runs over the ultimate 100 video games and one other one within the AL Division Collection — though the Orioles had been swept out of the postseason by the eventual World Collection champion Texas Rangers.
Extra younger stars on the best way?
In current seasons, the Orioles have constructed a minor league system that has been constantly rated as the perfect in baseball. Henderson‘s Rookie of the Yr award comes one season after catcher Adley Rutschman completed second in ROY voting — Rutschman was named an All-Star in 2023 and competed within the Residence Run Derby.
With 2022 high choose Jackson Holliday anticipated to debut in 2024, the Orioles might quickly have a younger core that would be the envy of baseball. The indicators are promising, however solely time will inform if Henderson, Rutschman, and firm can deliver a championship to Baltimore — one thing O’s followers have not celebrated since 1983.
