One year of Henderson
Ranking the 10 best moments from the Orioles’ star infielder
Adley Rutschman is no longer surprised by the things Gunnar Henderson does on a baseball field.
He said Henderson’s wide-ranging feats — long home runs at the plate, diving plays at shortstop, running wild on the bases — are “always impressive,” but Rutschman knows Henderson too well to be taken aback. The two young stars, both former No. 1 overall prospects, were the Orioles’ first two picks in the 2019 draft and progressed through the minor leagues together.
“You’re never not going to be impressed,” Rutschman said. “But I feel like every guy in this locker room knows what he’s capable of because we’re around him so much. But it’s still cool to see.”
Thursday is the one-year anniversary of Henderson’s MLB debut when Baltimore promoted the 21-year-old shortstop for the stretch run.
The occasion doesn’t mark the Orioles’ turnaround like Rutschman’s, as the club is 150-105 since the star catcher made his debut last May, but Henderson has been similarly valuable.
Wednesday’s 10-5 loss to the Chicago White Sox was the 156th game of Henderson’s career. In that time, he’s been worth 5.5 wins above replacement, according to Baseball-Reference. Entering Wednesday, his 4.6 WAR so far this season is the third most by a rookie in Orioles history, behind Rutschman’s 5.2 last season and Cal Ripken
Jr.’s 4.7 in 1982.
In his first 625 plate appearances, he’s slashing .253/.334/.470 — good for an .804 OPS — with 28 doubles, seven triples, 26 home runs, 83 RBIs and 10 stolen bases. The impressive numbers have been even better this summer as Henderson broke out of his early season slump to re-emerge as the American League Rookie of the Year front-runner.
“He just seems more comfortable,” Rutschman said. “I think he’s got his routine down, knows what he wants to do and he’s got a good plan.”
It’s been a year since Henderson first donned an Orioles uniform in a big league game.
Here are 10 of his best moments, ranked, in the 365 days since.
no obvious claim to the role. Around them, though, coach Harris has confidence, especially in his running back Ian Mauldin, who he believes will rank top five in the state by fall’s end.
CHESAPEAKE
Last season: 8-3
Coach: Rob Elliott, 13th season
Top players: Seniors Aaron Rhodes (QB), Charlie Hall (RB), Colin Lewis (RB), Wyatt Ferguson (OL), Dakota Baublitz (OL/LB), Chase Bivens (OL) and Grant Dempsey (OL); juniors Keller Herzberger (QB), Sean Carroll (RB), Mitch Collier (WR), Nathan Wheeler (WR) and Isaak Sears (WR).
Outlook: Only having about 30 players available isn’t ideal, especially for Elliott, who’s never in his 13 years carried this few on varsity. Luckily, the Cougars have 56 dressing for JV, but there’s a long way to go with many of their opponents experienced and ready.
CROFTON
Last season: 6-4
Coach: Todd Sommerville, third season
Top players: Seniors Dylan Oglesby (LB), Joe Hayes (RB), Darrell Green (QB), Cameron Harris (WR), Ethan Carmichael (OL); juniors Charlie Ross (WR), Mamadu Jalloh (WR), Kris Shenton (LG) and Corey Hurley (OL); sophomore Aaron Farrar (WR).
Outlook: Fortunately, Crofton turned old enough to have its first graduating class. Unfortunately, it graduated quite a bit. A few seniors return, like running back Joe Hayes, but not many. Cardinals accustomed to supporting roles and junior varsity now step up.
GLEN BURNIE
Last season: 6-5
Coach: Alec Lemon, fourth season
Top players: Seniors Romeo Edmonds (QB/ CB), Antoine Wilson (QB), Tim Shadare (RB), Khalil Johnson (RB/LB), Danny Outen (WR/CB), Jvon Thompson (C/DE) and Arjae Mobray (WR/LB); juniors Payton Frazier (QB), Hebrew Norfleet (RB), Jonathan Bediako (RB/LB), Braedon Buchanan (WR/FS/SS), Billy Miner (OL/DL) and Elijah Wright (OL/DL).
Outlook: Glen Burnie is in pretty good shape to at least repeat what was its most successful season in a long time, including its first home playoff game, though it was a loss. With only 10 departed and around 45 former juniors and sophomores seasoned, the results could be different.
MEADE
Last season: 5-6
Coach: Tanardo Sharps, second season
Top players: Seniors Brian Jameson (QB), Kayvawn Simms-Rogers (WR), Zahire Mike (RB), Obina Onyeson (LB), Devin Brown (LB), Moses Gakodi (OL) and Niles Willis (OL); juniors Elijah Johnson (QB) and Kameryn Henry (RB).
Outlook: Meade’s players dedicated themselves to offseason training. The Mustangs may have graduated 19 seniors, but possess a larger current senior class, many of whom are returners flushed with experience. Healthy, loaded, experienced and hungry, Meade will be gunning for a spot at the top. Its Week 3 game against Broadneck will serve as a statement-making opportunity.
NORTH COUNTY
Last season: 3-7
Coach: Ron Gamble, first season
Top players: Seniors Anthony Fogo (RB/DB), Jonah Figueroa (RT/DL), Martin Ohakah (LB/DB), Kaden “King” Clea (WR/SS), Isaiah Miller (CB) and Hayden Boyd (K); juniors Darius Burley (QB), Cash Stephenson (DB/QB), Dakari Martin (RB/DB), Madden Posey (C), Elijah Boston (LG/DL), Austin Pierce (RG), Korey Durham (LT/DL) and Isaiah Gamble (LB); sophomores Ryan Aye (RB/LB) and Joshiah Bryant (FS).
Outlook: The offense will flow through Burley, who stands as the most experienced quarterback among Anne Arundel public schools. Though he no longer has to haul every ball himself, Gamble said they’re still going to “let Darius be Darius,” but provide him with some structure so that he’s not always “running for his life.” Returners on the offensive line should make sure of it.
OLD MILL
Last season: 8-4, 4A state quarterfinalists Coach: Mike Pfisterer, third season
Top players: Seniors Maximus Jones (RB), Ja’Siyuse McGirt (WR), RJ Duncan (OL/ DL), Colby Hinkle (OL/LS), Tyler Johnson (OL), Warrington Coates (OL/DL), Darrin Briggs (OL/DL), Tre Rankin (DE), Evan
Cowling (DL), Diontae Colbert (LB/S) and Zayne Gay (CB); juniors Xxavien Mackell (G/DT/NG), Eli Miguel (WR) and Ronnie Burrell (K); sophomore Trey Martini (QB). Outlook: It’s extremely possible Old Mill possesses the best running back in Anne Arundel County. Jones led the county in rushing last season despite not taking on the role until a couple games in. With a full schedule to use and a year’s worth of experience, Jones could break some records if he wanted to. He may not need to run as much, to be fair, with a loaded receiver corps on the roster. But he will.
SEVERN
Last season: 7-3, MIAA C Conference champions
Coach: Demetrius Ballard, second season
Top players: Seniors Jack Pumphrey (RB/ LB) and Reid Gills (LB); juniors Daniel Growney (WR) and Cayden Decker (K/ WR); sophomores Ty Bussard (QB), Julius Floyd (RB/LB), Charlie Runco (RB/LB), Devlan Collier (WR) and Charlie Helfferich (P).
Outlook: Ballard envisions more small ball with the seven returners he has on offense anchored by McDonogh transfer Ty Bussard. He has three running backs around him, allowing Severn to spread the ball, as well as Daniel Growney, a receiver Ballard dubbed his second-best player, and receiver Devlan Collier, his “fastest.”
SEVERNA PARK
Last season: 5-5
Coach: Nick Marks, first season
Top players: Seniors Cole Brake (WR), Evan Lawhorn (LT), Brady Fox (RT), Luke Byerly (G), Price Connor (C), Rory Jenkins (DL), Kyle Smith (DL), Jon Garvey (DL), AJ Iglesia (LB) and Kevin Bowles (S); juniors Vince Nguyen (QB), Jack Fish (WR), Mason Keegan (LB), Gavin Hall (LS) and Colin Heffernan (K); sophomore Demetrious Jones (RB).
Outlook: Numbers dipped just a touch for the Falcons and injuries have bit them early. Marks sees the sun peeking through the clouds, though. The Falcons were unfortunate in 2022 to lose seasoned senior quarterback Seamus Paternaude to injury, but that tide has turned now. Quarterback Vince Nguyen stepped into that role and gained the experience needed to guide his offense with wisdom.
SOUTH RIVER
4-6
Steve Erxleben, third season
Seniors Chris Sparrow (RB/ LB), JR Ritter (TE/DL), Dylan Leonard (LB), Shane Corkill (LB), Daniel Stecklow (LB) and Ramsey Boensch (S); juniors Finn Mulvihill (QB), Ben Adams (RB/S), Tyrell Davis (RB/LB/S), Landen Lilly (TE/LB), Aidan Healy (OL), Busayo Balogun (OL) and Andrew Pitta (OL/DT).
If the Seahawks fail sometimes in September, Erxleben sees it as a horizon, not a midnight for South River football. With tons of youth comes tons of chances to build into something great. The longtime coach can see a dangerous team emerging in October.
SOUTHERN
Last season: 3-6
Coach: Danny Ripple, fifth season
Top players: Seniors Kevin Lane (C), Eric Brown (OL/LB), Andrew Cook (WR), Tucker Pollard (WR), Kai Higdon (OL/DL) and Derick Wilson (DT); juniors Ace Heindrichs (QB), Sam Young (FB) and Daevon Crampton (WR); sophomores Vincent Zimmerman (QB) and LJ Evans (RB).
Outlook: A well-stocked Bulldogs roster may finally be what it takes to give them that step forward. It’ll be hard for Southern to break into Anne Arundel’s hierarchy as the smallest school in a sport that necessitates a lot of kids. But, should Southern record a massive win over rival South River as well as nearby Annapolis, things would only go up for the little team that could.
ST. MARY’S Last season:
12-0, MIAA B Conference champions
Coach: Jason Budroni, ninth season
Top players: Seniors Palmer Austin (DL), Cole Meushaw (DE), Mikael Villatoro (DL), Ganon Cope (FS), Izzy Crockett (CB/WR), Steven Schummer (SS) and Teddy Androus (LB); juniors Devin Neurell (RB), James Brinster (C), TJ Denney (RG), Colt Brennan (RG); sophomores Brady Shilling (QB) and Jamal Epps (RB); freshman DJ Hitaffer (QB).
Outlook: Replacing basically an entire offense that led a team to an undefeated season and an MIAA B crown isn’t a fun task. But it’s one St. Mary’s has to do.
“Losing one is bad enough, and we lost all of them. But they’re coming along. The offense is the strength of our team,” Budroni said. “Throwing the ball. Catching the ball is a different story. They’re young.”