Gunnar Henderson's MVP-caliber stats prove he's baseball's new leadoff mold. Discover why putting him atop the order benefits the entire Orioles lineup.
The modern day MLB has evolved right in front of our guys. Back in the day, the makeup for your everyday leadoff hitter would be someone who gets on base at a high rate, and can steal bases.
Ricky Henderson is arguably the greatest leadoff hitter of all time due to his ability to steal bases.
However, the game has changed today and leadoff hitters are expected to not only possess speed and bat to ball skills, but home-run hitting power.
Luckily for the Baltimore Orioles, they have the perfect player to bat leadoff for them in 2026. That being none other than Gunnar Henderson.
Baltimore Orioles Shortstop Gunnar Henderson (2) | © Mitch Stringer-Imagn ImagesHenderson is one of the most dynamic players not just on the Orioles, but in the entire MLB. Since the start of 2023, Henderson has accumulated a total 17.3 WAR (wins above replacement) which ranks 8th in the entire MLB. Henderson is above the likes of Corbin Carroll, Julio Rodriguez, Trea Turner and Corey Seager just to name a few. If that doesn't put into perspective the value of Henderson, then I don't know what does.
In the modern day MLB, more teams have started to bat their best two players at the top of the order. The Los Angeles Dodgers, for example, bat Shohei Ohtani at leadoff with Freddie Freeman behind him. The logic behind this move is quite simple -- give our best players the most at-bats.
For Baltimore, it would make a ton of sense to bat Henderson at leadoff and recent signee Pete Alonso second. Doing this won't only give Baltimore's best players more opportunities, but it would make Henderson and Alonso's life that much easier. When you have an elite player batting behind you (like Henderson would with Alonso), the pitcher is more inclined to throw you pitches in the zone as they don't want to handout a free base runner.
Secondly, Henderson already has the experience at leadoff, as he spent a majority of his 2024 season at the top of the order.
In 173 games at leadoff in his career, Henderson has a .276 batting average with 42 home-runs and 103 RBIs -- MVP numbers.
Henderson barely batted leadoff last season, but with an improved team around him, Baltimore could look to rekindle the fire that was Henderson at leadoff. It's not a coincidence that Henderson's best season was in 2024, where he was predominantly batting leadoff.
Henderson doesn't just fit the mold of a leadoff hitter, he IS the mold of a leadoff hitter. He gets on base (.347 career OBP), can steal bases (30 stolen bases last season) and possesses elite power (82 home-runs since the start of 2023).
If Baltimore decides to put Henderson back at the top, don't be surprised if you see him in MVP conversations come mid season.