Baltimore Orioles manager Craig Albernaz had a message for Gunnar Henderson on Sunday.
The Baltimore Orioles have plenty invested in the continued development of infielder Gunnar Henderson, and the young left-handed slugger recently delivered a performance at the World Baseball Classic that caught the attention of those back in Baltimore.
Henderson, representing the United States, responded in a big way after a difficult moment earlier in the tournament. Facing Great Britain, the Orioles standout erupted for a huge performance, going four‑for‑five at the plate with two RBIs. The breakout showing reminded everyone why he is widely considered one of the best young players in MLB.
The strong outing came shortly after Henderson had been benched during Team USA’s previous game against Brazil, when fellow superstar shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. of the Kansas City Royals received the start instead.
Despite that setback, Henderson’s quick response at the plate drew praise from Baltimore’s coaching staff. Orioles manager Craig Albernaz publicly voiced his support for Henderson following the impressive performance.
“So cool for Gunnar and the rest of the fans to see what Gunnar can do on the big stage and the impact player we all know he is," Albernaz said (h/t Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun).
Henderson is the lone Orioles representative on Team USA’s roster, making him the franchise’s biggest presence on the international stage. His participation has been closely followed by Baltimore fans, especially after the team fell short of expectations during the 2025 season.
For the Orioles, Henderson’s continued growth will be critical as they attempt to return to postseason contention in 2026. At just 24 years old, he has already established himself as one of the league’s premier young stars.
Although Henderson is looking for an even bigger year in 2026, his 2025 campaign was still productive. Across 154 games, he posted a career‑high .274 batting average along with a .349 on‑base percentage and .787 OPS. He also contributed 17 home runs, 68 RBIs and a career‑best 30 stolen bases, showcasing the well‑rounded skill set that has made him such a valuable player.
At his peak, Henderson has already proven he can compete among the league’s elite. The former second‑round pick from the 2019 MLB Draft is a Rookie of the Year winner, an All‑Star and a Silver Slugger recipient. He has also finished in the top ten of American League MVP voting twice early in his career.
Once the World Baseball Classic concludes, Henderson will return to Baltimore to prepare for his fifth major-league season with the Orioles, one the organization hopes will help lead them back into playoff contention.