Gunnar Henderson’s golden hair bounced because the Orioles infielder floated across the bases within the fourth inning Wednesday night time. His swing, so highly effective his helmet slid off his head on his first step out of the batter’s field, left his headgear laying close to the primary final analysis at Progressive Field, forgotten.
The ball was additionally lengthy gone, however it received’t ever be forgotten.
Henderson, the highest prospect in baseball, crushed his first main league hit for a house run 429 ft to right-center discipline in his second main league at-bat, assembly a slider with the vicious swing of a participant who dominated minor league pitchers on a nightly foundation. Cleveland Guardians right-hander Triston McKenzie was the most recent to get crushed by the 21-year-old infielder, who hasn’t confronted a pitcher youthful than him in his previous two seasons as knowledgeable.
In the stands, leaping for pleasure, have been Henderson’s mother and father, brothers, grandparents and girlfriend. In the dugout, there was simply as a lot pleasure. When Henderson crossed dwelling plate and trotted towards the dugout, catcher Adley Rutschman — one other top-ranked prospect who acquired a promotion this season — met him with the Orioles’ dwelling run chain. Then Rutschman gave Henderson a hug, savoring an unforgettable second.
“He just looked at me and kind of congratulated me,” Henderson stated. “It was kind of a surreal moment, because I’ve been able to come up through the minor leagues with him and watch his career, and being able to do that up here with him is pretty awesome.”
The Orioles’ lineup wanted a spark after averaging fewer than three runs per recreation over the past week. Henderson offered it in a 4-0 win, which included a two-run homer from Ramón Urías within the eighth inning.
Before the sport started, Henderson tried on just a few helmets. The one he settled on was the most effective match, but it surely nonetheless flew off his head on his homer — and his ninth-inning single — as a part of his 2-for-4 night time.
“I guess I have too much hair going on,” Henderson stated.
The energy Henderson exhibited with that swing is effectively documented within the minors, the place the Selma, Alabama, native posted gaudy numbers. Between Double-A Bowie and Triple-A Norfolk, he held a .297 batting common and .947 OPS with 19 dwelling runs, 79 walks and 116 strikeouts.
Before the sport, which featured Henderson batting sixth and enjoying third base, supervisor Brandon Hyde stated he wished to “temper expectations” for the highest prospect, as he does any younger participant. He famous how tough the adjustment to the majors may be for gamers, particularly when going through McKenzie, who owns a 3.17 ERA, and right-hander Shane Bieber, a two-time All-Star and 2020 Cy Young Award winner, in his first two video games.
But for an offense that has scuffled of late — significantly the infielders — Henderson’s addition was a near-necessity, a solution to rekindle life in a Baltimore (68-61) membership that finds itself in a playoff push, getting into Wednesday three video games again of the ultimate American League wild-card spot.
“I mean, that ball was hit,” Hyde stated. “It was loud. It was a no-doubter off the bat, so our dugout exploded. I don’t think the helmet made it out of the batter’s box.”
It’s only one at-bat. It’s only one homer.
But as Henderson made his means across the bases, batting helmet left behind, all eyes adopted the youngest participant on the sector.
Once the sport ended, Henderson acquired a laundry cart bathe from his teammates, who swiftly offered him with the orange championship belt reserved for the participant of the sport. As per custom, his teammates requested him to present a speech.
“I just told them, ‘Thank you for letting me come out and do this,’” Henderson stated. “Not very good at being on the spot on [a] speech.”
But being on the spot on the diamond is one other story.
A hungry, hungry Lyles
As the ball was thrown thrown across the diamond after considered one of two strikeouts for right-hander Jordan Lyles, Henderson and the veteran pitcher discovered themselves subsequent to every. When shortstop Jorge Mateo threw the ball again, Henderson reached in entrance of Lyles’ glove and intercepted the throw.
Lyles gave Henderson, this child a decade youthful than him, a glance. Then Henderson handed him the ball, they usually patted one another on the again earlier than they went again to work.
It was Henderson’s night time, along with his debut and his homer. But Lyles did his half — after which some — with what may very well be his finest begin this season. The veteran pitched 6 2/3 scoreless innings, and whereas he compelled simply seven whiffs on 96 pitches, he allowed simply two batted balls with exit velocities over 100 mph.
“This is an aggressive team,” Lyles stated. “They get their bat off the shoulder from the get-go, so if you’re around the corners, you’re going to have less hard contact.”
He labored round hassle within the fourth, when he stranded the bases loaded by inducing a pressure out to Henderson at third. Lyles bemoaned the three walks he allowed amongst his 4 hits, however he held up his finish of the discount, permitting Henderson’s night time to finish with a win.
“It’s awesome, because I was there one time,” Lyles stated. “I know how much it means for each and everyone who puts on a major league uniform for the first time.”
Henderson isn’t alone
Inside left-hander DL Hall’s locker sat the teal baseball glove he’s worn all through his time within the minor leagues. The final time Hall was within the majors — making a one-start cameo in mid-August towards the Tampa Bay Rays — Hall had left that glove behind, opting as an alternative for his first skilled glove, a light-weight brown version he thought would give him good luck.
But that mild brown glove doesn’t seize the attention like Hall’s teal mannequin. So when Hall subsequent takes the mound as a member of the Orioles, it’ll be with the teal model in all its glory.
“That’s me,” Hall stated. “I like the loud colors and things like that. That’s always been me, so just want to get back to myself.”
He received’t absolutely get again to himself till subsequent season, when he’ll doubtless get the prospect to transition again right into a beginning function. Hall will pitch out of the bullpen for Baltimore in September as soon as rosters broaden, a transition that included 6 2/3 aid innings for the Tides. The main distinction is how a lot time he has to heat up in comparison with when he’s beginning.
Beyond that, although, Hall is ready to unleash his velocity in a unique function.
“You don’t have to worry about stretching out your pitches and things like that among five to seven innings,” Hall stated. “You can kind of go out there and get after it for an inning or two.”
Hyde stated Hall and first baseman Jesús Aguilar — the latter of whom was signed Wednesday to a minor league deal and joined the membership’s taxi squad — are anticipated to be the 2 September call-ups.
Aguilar, who was lately launched by the Miami Marlins, provides a strong bat, having hit 15 homers this season and 23 in 2021. Hyde stated Aguilar, an All-Star with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2018, will probably be helpful in pinch-hitting conditions, particularly.
“Big power threat,” Hyde stated. “Guy that’s gonna drive in runs. He did a nice job at first base those years in Milwaukee. I think he’s just an added, talented major league player on our roster.”
Around the horn
- Right-hander Travis Lakins Sr. cleared outright waivers and was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk. Lakins has handled proper elbow irritation since May.
- The Orioles introduced their spring coaching schedule for 2023 on Wednesday, with video games starting Feb. 25 at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, Florida. Baltimore will play 16 dwelling video games and 15 highway video games. The participant report dates will probably be introduced at a later time.
ORIOLES@GUARDIANS
Thursday, 6:10 p.m.
TV: MASN
Radio: 97.9 FM, 101.5 FM, 1090 AM
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Source: www.bostonherald.com