WATCH: Gunnar Henderson's defensive prowess shows future is bright with the Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles had a stellar 2022 season. When everyone expected them to finish dead last in the vaunted American League East, they surprised everyone by finishing above .500. They contended for the playoffs until the final series of the season and finished 83-79.
Much of their success can be contributed to the young players they brought up. Catcher Adley Rutschmann showed why he was a No. 1 overall pick and Rookie of the Year candidate.
He is deservedly getting a lot of attention as the future of the Orioles. However, there is another player who also needs to be named in that conversation: Gunnar Henderson.
MLB posted a highlight of his, saying that they can't wait to see him back on the field again soon.
Can’t wait to watch more of Gunnar Henderson next season. https://t.co/ZeSPFssp6r
Henderson was a revelation for the Orioles last season, posting 1.0 WAR in just 34 games. His defense, as shown above, was a big reason why. In just 172.2 total innings, split at second base, shortstop and third base, Henderson recorded one defensive run saved.
If that was pro-rated over an entire season, he might have had somewhere around 10 defensive runs saved. For comparison, National League Gold Glove shortstop Dansby Swanson recorded nine for the year.
American League winner Jeremy Pena recorded 15, so Henderson theoretically would have been in elite company. His strongest position was arguably third base, where he posted the most innings and had one defensive run saved.
His teammate Ramon Urias, Gold Glove third baseman in the American League, recorded 14 defensive runs saved. Clearly, the right side of their infield is in incredibly good hands.
Will the Orioles make the playoffs next season?
What does bode well for the Orioles is that they will receive full seasons from Henderson, Rutschman and other young stars they called up last year.
What doesn't bode well is that they play in baseball's toughest division and a strong American League. To beat one of the New York Yankees, Tampa Bay Rays, Toronto Blue Jays, Cleveland Guardians and Seattle Mariners among others is a tall task.
However, they surprised everyone once, which certainly means they could do it again.