Gunnar Henderson continues to remind the league why he was named AL Rookie of the Year last season.
The Orioles shortstop is off to a hot start in his second year in the majors, hitting .289 with a .983 OPS, 10 homers and 23 RBI. The 22-year-old has a bright future ahead of him, which is why SiriusXM MLB Network Radio analyst Steve Phillips compared him to Derek Jeter.
“Gunnar Henderson, [the Oriole’s] No. 2, he reminds me a lot of a No. 2 who played for the Yankees for a long time,” said Phillips, who served at Mets general manager from 1997 to 2003. “Whatever they needed, he would give it.
“I understand you can’t compare a guy in his second full season to Derek Jeter, but I’m telling you. This kid is going to be that player for the Orioles.
“If they need a stolen base, he will steal the base. They need a great defensive play? He will make that play. They need a home run? He will hit the home run. They need the big base hit driving around on the ninth? He will do it. Leadoff guy to get on base? He will do it.”
Henderson, a second-round pick of Baltimore in 2019, made history on Monday as the youngest player in MLB history to reach 10 home runs before May 1.
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Bridget Hyland may be reached at bhyland@njadvancemedia.com.