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Orioles' Gunnar Henderson Poised for Bounce-Back Season
Young slugger expected to regain MVP-caliber form after injury-plagued 2025 campaign.
Published on Feb. 26, 2026
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Gunnar Henderson, the Baltimore Orioles' rising star, is primed for a big 2026 season after a down year in 2025 due to a shoulder injury. The 23-year-old won the American League Rookie of the Year Award in 2023 and made the All-Star team in 2024, and is projected to have the highest WAR (6.0) of any Orioles player this season, even surpassing new acquisition Pete Alonso.
Why it matters
Henderson is a key part of the Orioles' young core and their hopes of returning to the playoffs. After a breakout 2024 season, his struggles in 2025 raised questions, but experts believe he has the talent and potential to bounce back and recapture his All-Star form.
The details
Henderson was a standout high school athlete in Alabama, excelling in both baseball and basketball. He was drafted by the Orioles in the second round in 2019 and quickly rose through the minors, making his MLB debut in 2022. In 2023, he won the AL Rookie of the Year Award, and in 2024 he made the All-Star team. However, a shoulder injury hampered his performance in 2025, leading to a down year. But analysts believe that was not a true reflection of his massive ceiling, and project him to hit 29 home runs with a .490 slugging percentage in 2026.
- Henderson made his MLB debut in late August 2022.
- He won the AL Rookie of the Year Award in 2023.
- Henderson made the All-Star team for the first time in 2024.
- He battled a shoulder injury that affected his performance in 2025.
The players
Gunnar Henderson
A 23-year-old rising star for the Baltimore Orioles who won the AL Rookie of the Year Award in 2023 and made the All-Star team in 2024.
Pete Alonso
A new acquisition for the Orioles who is expected to be a key part of the team's lineup in 2026.
What’s next
Analysts will be closely watching Henderson's performance in spring training and the early part of the 2026 season to see if he can regain his All-Star form and lead the Orioles back to the playoffs.
The takeaway
Gunnar Henderson is a young star with immense potential, and despite a down 2025 season due to injury, he is poised to bounce back in a big way in 2026. His ability to return to his MVP-caliber play will be crucial to the Orioles' hopes of contending in the AL East.
