Gunnar Henderson Biography

Gunnar Randal Henderson, born on June 29, 2001, is an American professional baseball player who has played as a shortstop and third baseman for the Baltimore Orioles in Major League Baseball. He made his MLB debut in 2023 and earned the American League Rookie of the Year Award and a Silver Slugger Award during his first season. During his sophomore year in high school, he committed to play college baseball at Auburn University. He was recognized as the Alabama Independent School Association Player of the Year in basketball, averaging 17 points and 11 rebounds per game. The Baltimore Orioles selected him in the second round of the 2019 Major League Baseball draft with the 42nd overall pick. After the 2020 minor league season was canceled due to the pandemic, he joined the Orioles' alternate training site and participated in the fall Instructional League. He was named the top overall athlete in the Orioles' minor league system ahead of the 2021 season.