Gunnar keeps barreling toward history: 'He's doing everything'

BALTIMORE -- Gunnar Henderson is already having a first half unlike any other in Orioles history. When it's all said and done, he might have a season unlike any other in Major League history.

Henderson kept building toward that Wednesday, impressing with another all-around performance in Baltimore’s 4-2 win over the Guardians on Wednesday at Camden Yards. Henderson hit his 26th homer and drove in two runs as part of a three-hit night as Cedric Mullins and Ryan O'Hearn cracked key late-inning homers in support of Grayson Rodriguez to help Baltimore snap a five-game skid, its longest losing streak in more than two years.

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But it was Henderson who did the heavy lifting offensively, extending his on-base streak to a career-high 33 games as he continued pacing Baltimore’s lineup from the leadoff spot. The on-base streak is the longest active on-base streak in MLB, and the longest by an Oriole since 2009, when Nick Markakis reached in 38 straight games (July 5-August 18).

“I’m running out of things to say about him,” manager Brandon Hyde said. “The power is incredible, and the speed. The first hit of the game, he took a sinker away and lined it over the shortstop’s head. To be able to cover, hit for power and also hit line drives the other way, take walks -- he’s doing everything.”

Wednesday’s performance was the latest in a monster first half for Henderson, who is leading American League shortstop vote-getters on the All-Star Game ballot as he puts together a sensational start to his sophomore season. He again this week expressed his desire to participate in the upcoming Home Run Derby, saying: “It’s something I’d like to do. It’s something that would be cool to do.”

Nobody can question Henderson’s power credentials. His 26 homers are the second most (behind Aaron Judge) in MLB, and he leads all MLB players in fWAR. His 26 homers are also easily the most by an Orioles shortstop before the All-Star break, with as many as 16 first-half games still remaining.

“The consistency, for such a young guy, it’s really impressive,” Grayson Rodriguez said. “I’m glad he’s on my team.”

For comparison, Orioles Hall of Fame shortstop Cal Ripken Jr. only eclipsed 26 homers in a season five times in the 16 seasons he played every day at the position. Henderson’s 26 homers are already tied for seventh most in a single-season by a shortstop in Orioles history, and he’s only eight off Ripken’s franchise record of 34 (set in 1991) through 80 games.

“On-base and power -- those are the guys you try to get up there as much as possible,” Hyde said. “I’m fortunate to have a guy who is a speed guy and a power guy who can do a lot of things leading off the majority of nights. It’s a luxury that’s nice to have.”

All told, the 22-year-old Henderson is on pace to hit 52 homers this season. The only MLB shortstop to ever eclipse 50 homers in a season is Alex Rodriguez, who did so in 2001 and 2002.

“I can see where his damage [comes from],” said Guardians starter Carlos Carrasco, who served up Henderson’s 424-foot game-tying homer in the fifth. “He’s a good player.”

But it's not just Henderson’s precocious power. He also leads the Majors in runs scored (70) and ranks third in OPS (1.005), behind only Judge and Shohei Ohtani. He’s stolen 13 bases as well, and is surging of late: hitting .320/.442/.648 with 10 homers and 35 runs during his current on-base streak.

“It‘s coming with experience,” Henderson said. “Being able to figure out what I do well and what the pitcher does well, and trying to take the pitches he throws and swinging at ones I feel like I can do damage on to help the team.”