This story was excerpted from Jake Rill's Orioles Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
BALTIMORE -- Many MLB players would be thrilled to have the type of season Gunnar Henderson had in 2025. Just look at these numbers:
• .274 batting average
• .349 on-base percentage, .438 slugging percentage, .787 OPS
• 34 doubles (tied for eighth in the American League)
• Five triples
• 17 home runs
• 68 RBIs
• 30 stolen bases (tied for ninth in the AL)
• 5.3 Wins Above Replacement (per Baseball-Reference)
Yet that was viewed as a bit of a “down” year for Henderson. But maybe the 24-year-old star shortstop took a small step back because, as it turns out, he was playing through a left shoulder impingement for much of the season.
“Dove for a ball at some point pretty early in the season, had an impingement and it had some inflammation in there as well,” Henderson said during the O’s Birdland Caravan this past Friday. “I think some of that stemmed to where I couldn’t plane out as early as I wanted to and just chopped down on the ball.”
Henderson began last season on the injured list due to a right intercostal strain that caused him to miss the final three-plus weeks of Spring Training. He missed only the first seven regular-season games and returned to play a team-high 154.
Considering how injuries plagued the Orioles in 2025, it makes sense why Henderson wanted to play through his ailment (and why outfielder Colton Cowser played through two rib fractures during the summer). Baltimore used the IL 39 times, with 29 players missing time.
“Looking at it, I was proud of the way it turned out at the end,” Henderson said, “to be able to put together that season with not feeling 100 percent.”
When Henderson is closer to full health, he’s capable of being one of MLB’s top players. In 2024 he finished fourth in AL MVP Award voting while setting career bests in hits (177), home runs (37), RBIs (92), batting average (.281), OBP (.364), slugging percentage (.529), OPS (.893) and bWAR (9.1).
The biggest drop-off in Henderson’s production from 2024 to ‘25 came in power, as his homer total dipped; the 17 he hit were his fewest in his first three full big league seasons. But that number could go back up with his shoulder returning to full health.
Henderson made up for the lack of pop with increased aggressiveness on the basepaths. He set a career high in stolen bases while going 30-for-35 on attempts, and he’s continued to work on speed training throughout the offseason to maintain that area of his game.
“Once I just got comfortable out there and was able to learn on my own out there with the green light whenever I wanted it, I was able to just figure out what I’m good at when I’m on the bases and what makes me go,” Henderson said. “I can steal a lot of bags in that way.”
The Orioles have brought in a lot of new faces this offseason. They hired manager Craig Albernaz, who then revamped the club’s coaching staff. The team has also been active making moves, signing first baseman Pete Alonso, closer Ryan Helsley and outfielder Leody Taveras, trading for outfielder Taylor Ward, starter Shane Baz and reliever Andrew Kittredge and re-signing starter Zach Eflin.
But if Baltimore (75-87 last season) is going to have a bounce-back year in 2026, it will need improved play from its young core consisting of Henderson, Cowser, catcher Adley Rutschman, infielders Jordan Westburg and Jackson Holliday and more.
“It’s obviously a new year, new faces in the clubhouse, still a lot of the same in there,” Henderson said. “I feel like we’re looking forward to meshing and getting ready for this season and, ultimately, getting back to what we’re good at, and that’s winning ballgames.”
Alonso spent time with Henderson and Westburg during last week’s Birdland Caravan, and the five-time All-Star slugger is eager to join a group with so much potential.
“It’s really refreshing to see not just Gunnar but the entire core play the way they play,” Alonso said. “They’re really good for the game of baseball. And for me, in order for this team, this organization, to get to the levels that they want to get to, I just want to complement them and help them the best that I possibly can.”