RADIO
Gunnar Henderson Could Be Primed for 2026 Resurgence
After back-to-back top-10 finishes in the American League MVP voting in 2023 and 2024, Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson battled through a down year in 2025. Across 651 plate appearances, the 24-year-old hit .274/.349/.438 with 17 home runs, 68 RBI, 85 runs scored, and 30 stolen bases. Henderson's barrel rate dropped from 11.2% to 8.5% in 2025, and his hard-hit rate fell from 53.9% to 49%. As a result, his slugging percentage dipped from .529 to .438. However, injury may have played a role in Henderson's power decline. He suffered an intercostal strain in 2025 Spring Training that did not cause him to miss much time, but still may have impacted his performance at the plate. Entering 2026, Henderson is fully healthy and has more help around him in the Baltimore lineup following the Orioles acquisition of first baseman Pete Alonso over the winter. Henderson remains an elite fantasy shortstop with the potential for high-level five-category production in 2026.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
