[ad_1]
The Orioles have formally chosen the contract of high prospect Gunnar Henderson. In corresponding strikes, infielder Tyler Nevin was optioned to Triple-A and right-hander Denyi Reyes was designated for task.
There had been widespread hypothesis that Henderson would obtain his first MLB promotion when the rosters expanded on September 1, although in calling Henderson as much as the large leagues at the moment, the Orioles have now made the infielder eligible for inclusion on a postseason roster ought to Baltimore proceed its stunning season with a playoff berth.
A second-round decide for Baltimore within the 2019 draft, Henderson performed in solely 29 Rookie League video games that season after which naturally didn’t play in any respect in 2020 because of the canceled minor league marketing campaign. His first correct professional season noticed Henderson play effectively sufficient to leap from A-ball to Double-A in 2021, and it put him on the top-100 prospect radar heading into the 2022 season.
Quick-forward to August, and the 21-year-old is now the highest prospect within the sport within the eyes of Baseball America, with MLB Pipeline rating Henderson second and Fangraphs rating him fifth. Over 503 mixed plate appearances on the Double-A and Triple-A ranges in 2022, Henderson has hit .297/.416/.531 with 19 homers, in addition to 22 steals in 25 probabilities.
To associate with his energy, velocity, and hit instruments, Henderson can also be an completed fielder with a plus throwing arm. Drafted as a shortstop, Henderson has seemed good on the place, however he has additionally seen numerous time as a 3rd baseman this season and likewise performed a handful of video games at first and second base. The Orioles have so many different promising younger infielders (i.e. Jordan Westburg, Jackson Holliday) within the pipeline that the staff is making an attempt to be versatile in figuring out the best future place for any of those prospects, and Henderson’s utilization may also trace at how the O’s will use him in the course of the stretch run of the 2022 season.
The left-handed hitting Henderson might spell any of Ramon Urias, Jorge Mateo, or Ryan Mountcastle (all righty bats) at third, quick, or first base, and Henderson might additionally take enjoying time away from Rougned Odor at second base. Henderson actually isn’t being known as as much as sit on the bench, and he might rapidly develop into a fixture if he performs effectively in his first take a look at Main League pitching.
After all, it isn’t a on condition that Henderson may have such a fast begin, as numerous high prospects have taken a while to get accustomed to the majors. In Henderson’s case, his excessive strikeout price within the minors is one thing of a pink flag, although he has in the reduction of on his swing-and-miss in 2022 compared to 2021. He had additionally posted enormous BABIP numbers within the minors, but Henderson’s velocity (and talent to beat out grounders) is actually a consider these BABIP totals past simply batted-ball fortune.
These are heady instances for the Orioles, who’ve emerged from years of rebuilding doldrums to publish a 67-61 document and get into competition for a wild-card berth. Adley Rutschman — an exception to that “high prospects normally want time to regulate” credo — has already develop into certainly one of baseball’s greatest catchers, and different rookies like Felix Bautista, Dean Kremer, and Kyle Bradish have performed outsized roles within the staff’s success. Kyle Stowers and Terrin Vavra are two extra rookies who made their MLB debuts in 2022, and Henderson is only one of a number of different high prospects ready to emerge from Baltimore’s loaded farm system.
As lately famous by The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal, Henderson can even nonetheless retain his rookie standing for 2023 if he receives lower than 13o at-bats, and thus the Orioles can nonetheless profit from the Prospect Promotion Initiative included within the new collective bargaining settlement. This may put the O’s in line for a bonus draft decide if Henderson stays on the energetic roster for the complete 2023 season.
Reyes made his Main League debut this season, posting a 2.35 ERA in 7 2/3 innings over three appearances. A starter for a lot of his seven-year professional profession within the Pink Sox and Orioles farm methods, Reyes hasn’t had a lot consistency at both the Double-A or Triple-A ranges, and he has a 7.50 ERA over 42 innings with Baltimore’s Triple-A affiliate this season.
Reyes has allowed 10 homers in these 42 frames, persevering with an issue with the lengthy ball that has now emerged during the last two seasons. Surrendering extra homers has erased positive factors Reyes has made together with his strikeout price, and he has proven glorious management all through his total profession, with a tiny 1.4 BB/9 throughout his 584 1/3 minor league innings.
[ad_2]
Source link
