Gunnar Henderson is convincingly selling himself as the new cornerstone for the Baltimore Orioles after a sensational rookie season last year.
The team is ensuring he will not go anywhere else as they decided to renew his contract, although there is still an agreement for a second season.
The 2019 42nd overall pick will receive an additional $756,200 in the major leagues this season. If he is optioned to the minors, the amount will decrease to $361,600.
In his rookie year, he earned $723,200 and bagged $1,428,001 from the pre-arbitration bonus pool.
Henderson, 22, unanimously won the AL Rookie of the Year and Silver Slugger awards in 2023.
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He hit .255 with 28 homers, 82 RBIs, and 10 stolen bases last year.
Since he set foot in the majors last year, Henderson has received praise from coaches.
His Baltimore Orioles bench coach Fredi Gonzalez compared him to Atlanta Braves legend and 1999 NL MVP Chipper Jones.
"Cody (Orioles hitting instructor), I said, I do not want to answer this question because you'll think I am crazy," Gonzalez said in an interview with MLB Network Radio.
"He reminds me of Chipper Jones from the left side. He's a shortstop playing third base, and Chipper came out playing shortstop before he hurt his knee.
"[Henderson is a] big, strong kid. His makeup is off the chart, and I was really impressed with everything he did in that short period of time in the big leagues."
Gunnar Henderson injury update
While the offseason has been good for Henderson, his body continues to recuperate from a tweaked oblique.
Fans have nothing to be worried about, though, as the incoming sophomore only needs continued rest for this injury.
He started his rehab in February this year, and the Baltimore Orioles believe his opening-day availability will not be affected.
However, he could miss some games leading up to the opening week.
"Gunnar Henderson said his left oblique is progressing well. He thinks he should only miss a few #Orioles Grapefruit League games before getting into action," Orioles beat reporter Jake Rill wrote.
Kyle Bradish and John Means are currently on the Orioles' injured list, and they will miss the start of the year. Closer Felix Bautista, meanwhile, is out for the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery.
Baltimore Orioles' young core
Baltimore was the second-best team last season, finishing with a 101-61 record, and they hope to do better this MLB 2024 season.
It was the first time they reached the postseason since 2016.
Henderson is just one of several young players the Orioles will bank on in their renewed campaign.
He will anchor the team's infield together with prospect Jackson Holliday. The team also got Anthony Santander and Adley Rutschman for their offense.
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