The Baltimore Orioles have a few breakout stars, but none are shining brighter than Gunnar Henderson.
Henderson is one of the best young players in the league and has a chance to win the AL MVP award.
Bleacher Report’s Brandon Scott listed the soon-to-be 23-year-old as one of the leagues 10 defining players from this season so far.
As Scott mentioned, if Henderson were to go on to win the MVP, he would be just the seventh player to win the MVP and Rookie of the Year in their first two seasons.
One of the other players on that list just so happens to be Baltimore’s Cal Ripken Jr.
Baltimore’s Cal Ripken Jr.
Ripken had an incredible second season that made it undeniable that he would win the MVP.
He had 8.2 WAR and led the league with 211 hits.
He had both average and power, hitting 27 home runs withs a .318 BA.
The Orioles legend went on to win a second MVP and is now in the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Henderson isn’t having the same success in terms of batting average, but has flashed much more power than anyone could have expected.
Projected to hit 22 home runs before the season, the shortstop already has 12. He’s on pace to hit around 47.
That’s even after a revent seven game stretch without hitting one.
