For the second time in 2022, the Orioles have promoted baseball’s No. 1 prospect to the majors.
Gunnar Henderson, whose emergence within the higher ranges of the Orioles’ minor league system made him the game’s prime prospect based on Baseball America, will be part of Baltimore on Wednesday because the membership continues its shock playoff push. He will put on No. 2 when he makes his debut, which may happen as quickly as Wednesday towards the Cleveland Guardians.
Henderson, a 21-year-old infielder, turns into the second No. 1 total prospect the Orioles have promoted this season, becoming a member of catcher Adley Rutschman. They have been Baltimore’s first two draft picks beneath govt vp and normal supervisor Mike Elias, with Rutschman taken first total in 2019 and Henderson going within the second spherical of the identical draft. Baltimore’s third decide in 2019, outfielder Kyle Stowers, had his contract chosen earlier this month.
Initially, Henderson and left-hander DL Hall have been on their strategy to Cleveland to hitch the taxi squad. But as Baltimore’s infield collectively scuffles on the plate, the choice was made so as to add Henderson a day earlier than rosters broaden by two spots Thursday.
When Henderson makes his first look, he would be the youngest Orioles participant to make his debut since Manny Machado in 2012. Henderson would be the youngest drafted place participant to debut since Carlos Correa on June 8, 2015.
Henderson has undergone a fast rise by the minor leagues this season, representing the Orioles within the MLB All-Star Futures Game. Between Double-A Bowie and Triple-A Norfolk this 12 months, Henderson has posted a .297 batting common and .947 OPS with 19 house runs, 79 walks and 116 strikeouts. However, his strikeout charge with the Tides has risen to 26.9%. He has but to face a pitcher youthful than him, and it’s uncertain that can change in his stint within the majors.
In a corresponding transfer, the Orioles optioned infielder Tyler Nevin and designated right-hander Denyi Reyes for project to free a spot on the 40-man roster for Henderson. In addition, Baltimore signed first baseman Jesús Aguilar to a minor league deal. He will be part of the crew in Cleveland as a part of the taxi squad.
Aguilar, who was launched this week by the Miami Marlins, has 15 homers, a .236 common and .674 OPS. With first baseman Ryan Mountcastle holding a .591 OPS since July 1, Aguilar is able to be part of the crew Thursday as soon as rosters broaden.
Henderson has primarily cut up his time between third base and shortstop this season, possible making him an choice at both spot for Orioles supervisor Brandon Hyde. But in current weeks, he’s additionally made begins at first and second base, with that versatility certain to be worthwhile to a Baltimore crew inside three video games of a wild-card spot.
Henderson’s fast ascent to prime prospect standing and the majors is a credit score to each him and the Orioles’ participant improvement employees. After the coronavirus pandemic canceled the 2020 minor league season, Henderson spent what ought to have been his first full skilled season because the youngest participant on the Orioles’ alternate coaching website in Bowie, going through pitchers who had already reached the majors or have been the group’s prime minor league arms.
He began the 2021 season impressively with Low-A Delmarva earlier than his bat cooled with High-A Aberdeen. He joined Bowie late within the 12 months, constructing on that have for a breakout marketing campaign in 2022.
Entering the 12 months as Baseball America’s No. 57 total prospect, Henderson skyrocketed up rankings by hitting .312/.452/.573 — good for an OPS of 1.025 — with extra walks than strikeouts again at Double-A. The efficiency earned him a promotion in June to Triple-A, the place he hit .288 with an OPS of .894 In 65 video games..
The Orioles did have some issues about his efficiency, notably a rise in strikeouts after his transfer to Norfolk and struggles in left-on-left matchups in comparison with his success towards right-handed pitchers. But these proved minute in the long run.
Now, his bat might be within the Orioles’ lineup as they attempt to safe their first playoff berth since 2016. By ready till now to advertise Henderson, Baltimore ensured he’ll fall wanting 45 days of service time this season, permitting him to retain his rookie eligibility in 2023 if he additionally data fewer than 130 regular-season at-bats for them. Should he start subsequent season on the membership’s opening day roster, Henderson may safe additional draft picks for the Orioles by ending extremely in main award voting early in his profession, a prospect promotion incentive added to MLB’s collective bargaining settlement this offseason.
Baltimore Sun reporter Andy Kostka contributed to this report.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com