What Happened to Gunnar Henderson?

Gunnar Randal Henderson, born June 29, 2001, was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the second round of the 2019 Major League Baseball draft. He quickly ascended through the minor league ranks, showcasing his potential, including hitting for the cycle in Triple-A in 2022. Henderson made his highly anticipated MLB debut with the Orioles on August 31, 2022.

His breakout year came in 2023, his first full season in the majors. Henderson slashed .255/.325/.489 with 28 home runs and 82 RBIs in 150 games. His impressive performance earned him the American League Rookie of the Year Award unanimously, making him the first Orioles player to achieve this, and he also received a Silver Slugger Award for utility players. He played a crucial role in the Orioles winning their first division title since 2014.

The 2024 season saw Henderson elevate his game further, becoming a legitimate MVP candidate. He was named the AL Player of the Month for March/April and was selected to his first All-Star Game and Home Run Derby. He finished the 2024 regular season with career highs in home runs (37), RBIs (92), batting average (.281), and OPS (.893), finishing fourth in the American League MVP voting.

In 2025, Henderson's offensive production saw a decline, hitting .274 with 17 home runs and 68 RBIs in 154 games. This dip in power was later attributed to a shoulder impingement he dealt with for much of the season. Despite the power dip, he demonstrated his evolving skill set by setting a career-high with 30 stolen bases. The Orioles, however, had a disappointing 2025 campaign, finishing fifth in the AL East.

Heading into 2026, Henderson agreed to an $8.5 million contract with the Orioles, avoiding arbitration, which was a franchise record for a player in his first year of arbitration eligibility. He also represented Team USA in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, going 6-for-15 with a .400 batting average and two home runs, contributing to Team USA's silver medal finish. As of June 20, 2026, Henderson is experiencing a challenging start to the season, with his batting average around .223 and an OPS of .709. Analysts note issues with his hitting approach, specifically pulling too many pitches and getting under the ball, leading to a slump that has impacted his overall performance, including defensively and on the basepaths. Despite these struggles, he hit his 100th career home run on June 18, 2026, becoming the fourth-youngest Oriole to reach this milestone. The Orioles are looking for him to regain his MVP-caliber form to contend in the American League.