BALTIMORE -- The same day they showed off No. 1 overall pick Adley Rutschman to Camden Yards, the Orioles announced they have also come to terms with second-round Draft pick Gunnar Henderson.
Entering the Draft, there was some cause for concern if Henderson could be pried away from playing in college, but the Orioles perhaps gave him extra incentive to ink a professional contract.
Henderson, a shortstop out of John T. Morgan Academy in Alabama, had to forego his commitment to Auburn in order to sign, but he was in part swayed by a hefty signing bonus. His $2.3 million bonus, according to MLB Pipeline’s Jim Callis, is over half a million more than the $1.77 million slot value for the No. 42 overall pick.
The Orioles plan to showcase their second-round pick with a press conference and in-game greeting during the series finale with the Padres on Wednesday afternoon.
Ranked as the No. 27 prospect entering the 2019 Draft, Henderson is one of the best prep bats in the country, and is certainly not lacking on the basepaths or in the field. He projects as a shortstop, but a move to third base is also not out of the question.
This past season, Henderson slashed .559/.641/1.225 (57-for-102) with 17 doubles, nine triples, 11 home runs, 69 runs, 75 RBIs and 28 stolen bases in 32 games for John T. Morgan Academy. He was named to the 2019 Rawlings and Perfect Game Preseason All-American First Team as well as the Southeast-All Region First Team.
In total, the Orioles have signed 31 of their 41 selections from the Draft, and third-round pick Zach Watson -- a center fielder out of Louisiana State -- is the only top 10 pick yet to have signed. The deadline to sign 2019 draftees is Friday, July 12, at 5 p.m. ET.