Orioles infield prospect Gunnar Henderson has watched the video of Delmon Young’s go-ahead three-run double in the 2014 ALDS against the Tigers countless times.
Every time he replays it, he sees a sold-out Camden Yards, packed with nearly 50,000 screaming fans. One day, he hopes, that same environment will show up to watch him.
Playing in front of energetic fans in Baltimore is what Henderson has always wanted to do. And with how he’s performing in Triple-A Norfolk, those days could come sooner rather than later. Prior to this season, the thought of a major league promotion was unfathomable after only a cup of coffee at Double-A Bowie to close out 2021.
But at his current pace, the 21-year-old Henderson could soon force the organization’s hand. The infielder is slashing .324/.446/.608 with five home runs and 15 RBIs entering play June 30. His walk and strikeout totals are nearly equal after having more free passes than punchouts in Double-A.
“I just go into each level just trying to learn as much as I can about each one and just put myself in the right positions to succeed,” Henderson said on Glenn Clark Radio June 28. “Especially during the 2020 year when I was fortunate enough to get to the [alternate] site, I got to face these types of guys. So I know I can already do it.”
The age difference is what truly sets Henderson apart from his peers, although it doesn’t cross his mind. He’s 5.5 years younger than the average International League player, according to Baseball Reference, and has yet to face a pitcher younger than him in any game this season.
“I haven’t really taken my age into account,” he said.
Still, he notices stark differences at his new level that weren’t present in the Eastern League, where he was still three years younger than average. The biggest is that the pitchers he now faces have better control and can command more pitches. It’s forced him to step up his preparation and read scouting reports more closely.
“I feel like that’s a really big step,” he said. “Just really diving into what they have and what they feel comfortable with. They have control of three different pitches now and they can throw that for strikes in any count.”
Jordan Westburg has played alongside Henderson at every step of the minor league ladder. Westburg was drafted one year after Henderson, but the two infielders have grown close in two-plus years together in the Orioles system. They share a Norfolk apartment and spend most of their free time together, Westburg said recently.
“I’ve been playing with him ever since I pretty much started pro ball,” Henderson said. “Getting the call at the same time was really awesome.”
Perhaps why the two mesh so well is because of their defensive versatility. They’ve played interchangeably through every minor league level across the infield. Initially, the two mostly shared time between shortstop and third base. Now, Westburg has begun to experiment with second, too.
Along with their production at the plate, it’s what Henderson believes has contributed most to their shared success.
“We know what each other are thinking throughout the game,” said Henderson, who has played 35 games at third base and 29 games at short this year. “If he’s at second base and I’m at short, or if he’s at short and I’m at third, we’ve communicated a lot, so we know pretty much what each other is going to do on the field.”
Westburg might make an appearance in Baltimore first due to his age (23), but Henderson won’t be far behind. While a 2022 call-up isn’t impossible, a 2023 debut seems more likely.
Whenever it comes, Henderson will remember Young’s double and the reaction that followed. It motivates him to reach the postseason with the Orioles.
“Who wouldn’t want that?” he asked.
For more from Henderson, listen to the full interview here:
Photo Credit: Steven Goldburg