The Baltimore Orioles are staring down a “head-scratching” problem with Gunnar Henderson right now, and it’s all about his bat. This season, Henderson’s offensive struggles have been shockingly consistent, especially when you remember the player he was just two years ago. His 101 OPS+ is set to be the lowest of his career by a whopping 21 points, and that .220 batting average? Tied for 14th worst among qualified MLB hitters. Yikes.
What the Heck Happened Since 2024?
It’s tough to reconcile the Henderson we’re seeing with the guy who set the league on fire in 2024. That year, he was only 23, finished fourth in AL MVP balloting, dropped a massive 155 OPS+, and piled up an incredible 8.8 bWAR. That set a ridiculously high bar, no doubt. But what’s happened since then is just baffling. ESPN’s Bradford Doolittle hit it right on the head, pointing to the “widespread failings of the group of one-time Orioles hitting prospects” and saying Henderson “exemplified” the issue. In 2025, his numbers fell to a 122 OPS+ and 5.4 bWAR. Okay, a drop, but still solid. This season though? It’s deteriorated even more, down to a 104 OPS+ and a meager 2.7 bWAR. What *is* going on here?
The Future is Getting Murky in Baltimore
While a duo of Pete Alonso and Henderson could be incredibly dangerous for opposing pitchers, the reality is Henderson’s future with the Orioles is seriously in question. He’s set to become a free agent after the 2028 season, and there’s real doubt he’ll re-sign with Baltimore. If the Orioles sense he won’t be sticking around, they might just have to trade him. Can you imagine watching a talent like that walk for nothing in free agency? That would be absolutely brutal for the organization. Right now, it looks like Henderson’s success, or lack thereof, in the 2027 season will pretty much dictate what kind of year the Orioles have. It’s a lot of pressure, and a lot of uncertainty for a team that probably thought they had a cornerstone for years to come.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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