Orioles have 'head-scratching' Gunnar Henderson problem amid Mets series

The Baltimore Orioles would love for Gunnar Henderson to resemble the player he was in 2024. 

But that just hasn't been the case. 

Henderson's offensive struggles have remained fairly consistent this season.

His 101 OPS+ would be the lowest of his career by 21 points, and his .220 batting average is tied for 14th worst among qualified MLB hitters. 

Henderson's 8.8 bWAR season in 2024 set a very high bar, but the dramatic falloff in his production over the last few calendar months has been surprising, ESPN's Bradford Doolittle wrote. 

"The widespread failings of the group of one-time Orioles hitting prospects is the big picture item here, but that issue is exemplified by the head-scratching Gunnar Henderson," Doolittle wrote. 

"Henderson was only 23 when he finished fourth in AL MVP balloting for the 2024 season, when he posted a 155 OPS+ and 8.8 bWAR. In 2025, those numbers fell to a 122 OPS+ and 5.4 bWAR. OK, fine. He'd set the bar high," Doolittle added. "But this season his production has deteriorated even more -- 2.7 bWAR and a 104 OPS+. What's going on here?" 

Pete Alonso and Henderson could be one of the more dangerous hitting duos in the Majors. 

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But Henderson's future with the Orioles is in question. There's doubt that the shortstop will re-sign with Baltimore when he becomes a free agent after the 2028 season. 

Alternatively, the Orioles could trade Henderson if they sense he won't re-sign. It would be disappointing if they watched him walk in free agency and got back nothing. 

Still, Henderson's success in the 2027 season will likely dictate the kind of season the Orioles have. 

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