Adley Rutschman and Gunnar Henderson have been the Orioles’ first two draft picks in 2019. Each reached the majors in 2022. In 2023, each completed within the prime 10 of American League Most Valuable Player voting.
The Baseball Writers’ Association of America introduced Los Angeles Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani because the unanimous AL MVP on Thursday evening, with Henderson inserting eighth and Rutschman ninth within the voting. Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. was the National League winner, additionally unanimously.
It’s the primary time two Orioles have landed within the prime 10 since 2013, when Chris Davis got here in third and Manny Machado positioned ninth. Henderson’s end is Baltimore’s highest in MVP voting since Machado positioned fifth in 2016. An Oriole has not been named MVP since Cal Ripken Jr. in 1991.
Like Machado a decade in the past, each Henderson and Rutschman have been of their first full seasons in 2023. Named the AL Rookie of the Year on Monday, Henderson hit .255/.325/.489 with 28 dwelling runs and 82 RBIs. The 22-year-old infielder was named on 21 of 30 BBWAA ballots, showing as excessive as fifth.
Rutschman missed a lot of the primary two months of 2022 however completed twelfth in AL MVP voting along with being the runner-up for AL Rookie of the Year. In 2023, the 25-year-old catcher hit .277/.374/.435 with 20 dwelling runs and 80 RBIs. He obtained one fourth-place vote among the many 17 ballots he appeared on.
This isn’t the primary time Rutschman and Henderson have gone back-to-back. The Orioles drafted Rutschman first general in 2019 and took Henderson forty second general atop the second spherical. Rutschman entered 2022 as Baseball America’s No. 1 general prospect, and Henderson held the identical standing heading into 2023, the primary time two gamers from the identical group’s draft class have been the game’s prime prospects in consecutive years. This season, they typically occupied the highest two spots in supervisor Brandon Hyde’s lineup, with the pair each successful Silver Slugger Awards for his or her offensive efficiency.
No different Orioles obtained votes for the ultimate BBWAA award. In addition to Henderson’s win, Hyde was named the AL Manager of the Year, and right-hander Kyle Bradish positioned fourth in AL Cy Young Award balloting, with nearer Félix Bautista additionally showing on ballots.
All 4 Orioles gamers who obtained awards votes — Henderson, Rutschman, Bradish and Bautista — made their main league debuts in 2022; Rutschman and Bautista aren’t because of develop into free brokers till after the 2027 season, with Henderson and Bradish underneath group management by way of 2028. Executive vice chairman and basic supervisor Mike Elias, who drafted Rutschman and Henderson and bought Bradish in a commerce, has stated the Orioles have younger gamers who they wish to signal to contract extentions.
“A big part of the calculus of keeping this franchise healthy is pursuing or examining opportunities to possibly keep some of these guys longer,” Elias stated final month.
Atlanta to host 2025 All-Star Game
Orioles CEO and Chairman John Angelos has stated he views the Braves’ ballpark and the encompassing space as a mannequin for what Camden Yards may be. Another side to repeat was offered Thursday.
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred introduced that Atlanta’s Truist Park will host the 2025 All-Star Game. Camden Yards, which has not had the occasion since its second season in 1993, was reportedly on the shortlist for the 2025 Midsummer Classic however now must wait till at the least 2027, with the 2026 All-Star Game to be held in Philadelphia in recognition of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Not together with the Tampa Bay Rays, who’ve by no means hosted an All-Star Game since getting into the league in 1998, solely three groups have waited longer than the Orioles: the Toronto Blue Jays (1991), Chicago Cubs (1990) and Oakland Athletics (1987). MLB homeowners unanimously permitted the A’s’ transfer to Las Vegas on Thursday.
The Braves final hosted in 2000 and have been scheduled to in 2021 earlier than MLB moved the occasion to Denver after the Georgia State Legislature handed an act that restricted voters’ rights.
The Orioles’ lease at Camden Yards expires Dec. 31, although the membership does have a nonbinding memorandum of understanding in place with the state. With a long-term settlement, the group would achieve entry to $600 million in public funds to improve the ballpark’s infrastructure, which may assist future possibilities of internet hosting an All-Star Game.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com