When the 2022 season began, I thought it would be defined by the prospects that would be called up throughout the season. These call-ups would help the team surprise and win – if they were lucky – 70 games.
Obviously, the plans have changed, and now the Orioles find themselves in a playoff chase. Now though, the team is a mixture of young players and prospects, mixed with older players that most fans wish would just go away so that more prospects could get their shot.
The Orioles have called up top prospects like Adley Rutschman, Kyle Stowers, Terrin Vavra, and Kyle Bradish, but one name just wouldn’t go away from the fans, and he got his call yesterday.
Gunnar Henderson has dominated this year in the minors. I could put up some numbers, but that would just be a waste of time; fans know he is talented and how good he can be in the future.
That raises the question of the now: how can the second number one prospect help the Orioles now in 2022? Well, that is what I aims to explain here.
As you watch his debut this series against the Guardians, remember that Gunnar is only 21 years old and hasn’t faced a pitcher younger than him yet this year. There will be growing pains, but I hope everyone will see how talented he is and understand that even if he does struggle a bit, he can still help this team do something that no one ever thought possible, which is grab a 2022 playoff berth.
The first thing to notice is Gunnar’s versatility defensively. He can play all four spots on the dirt if needed. Brandon Hyde did mention that he will be playing the left side more than the right, but his versatility needs to be mentioned. He won’t play much short unless Jorge Mateo needs an off day, which apparently he did on Thursday.
.@G_Henderson2 is the real deal. pic.twitter.com/6EeoNOfKLF
— MLB (@MLB) September 1, 2022
Gunnar Henderson. Again.
That was 89.3 mph on the throw. pic.twitter.com/WirNzuymvT
— Zachary Silver (@zachsilver) September 1, 2022
Those plays aside, I think the Orioles should make him the everyday third baseman for now. This gives Hyde the most lineup versatility. With most of the infield struggling offensively, this either kicks Ramon Urias out of playing every day or keeps Vavra in Hyde’s jail for now, which kind of stinks. I wish we would stop the nonsense and cut bait with Rougned Odor, and no, I don’t care about clubhouse presence. That seems unlikely at this point, so Vavra is stuck where he is now, and Gunnar looks to take most of his time at third. Gunnar could play second in a pinch, but considering Hyde’s comments, I wouldn’t count on that unless something catastrophic happens.
The question is, why would the Orioles waste time over the last few weeks in the minors with Gunnar at second and first if he plays mainly third and a little short for the big league team? Good question; honestly, I thought it was done to buy time until he was ready to be called up to make him eligible to play in the postseason and still get that extra year of team control.
So what does this mean, then? Gunnar plays good defense at third, and his strong arm and athleticism are perfect for the position, where he can thrive. He will probably be a better defender than Urias or Odor at third, and that will help the Orioles right now.
The main point is that Gunnar will add another dimension to the Orioles lineup. He has 20 to 30 power and is very patient. We saw this, of course, in his first game. In his second at-bat, he worked a 2-2 count, got the pitch he kills the most, in the bottom quadrant of the zone, and pulled it for a long homer for his first home run. He ended up going 2-for-4 with a home run and a single.
It doesn’t matter where he plays or hits in the lineup; Gunnar will produce, and he takes the pressure off the slumping bats.
Gunnar is an asset to the 2022 Birds because of his great defense and arm at third, but his offensive presence and discipline will be the most significant thing he will bring.
Gunnar will work at-bats and make pitchers throw a ton of pitches, even if he does strike out more than you’d like. He balances this with his walks and the power he brings. Working at-bats and counts can hopefully help the other struggling hitters get the pitches they need to drive in some runs, which this offense desperately needs.
Gunnar Henderson is precisely what the doctor ordered for the Orioles. He will bat towards the middle of the order, play great defense at third or short, and work counts, see a ton of pitches, and show off his immense power. The Orioles offense has been dreadful these last couple of series, and while the pressure and stakes are high for Gunnar, I think he can handle it.
Gunnar is special, and that was on display in his first game. He will be a big part of this offense as we enter into a special September playoff push.
Let’s sit back and enjoy this ride wherever it takes us, Orioles fans.
