Gunnar gets last-minute Home Run Derby tune-up

BALTIMORE -- A T-Mobile Home Run Derby practice round occurred Thursday afternoon at Camden Yards, although the stage wasn’t quite what it will be Monday night at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas (8 ET, ESPN). No fans were in the stands, and Baltimore outfielder Colton Cowser stood at the backstop running a timer on his iPhone.

But Orioles star shortstop Gunnar Henderson stood in the batter’s box and worked on his swing. He was even hitting off Triple-A Norfolk manager Buck Britton -- Henderson’s chosen Derby pitcher who traveled north to get in some preliminary work before heading west.

Henderson’s second swing of the session? A deep homer to the right-center-field seats.

The 23-year-old first-time All-Star appeared ready for Monday, when he’ll be among the eight participants in the 2024 field.

“He has such a pretty swing, and he hits the ball at a low ball flight. So hopefully those balls just get over the wall,” Britton said. “He hits the ball so hard, but he hits it at really low angles, so just getting the ball in the air. He’s so strong. Essentially, he’s just got to touch it in the air and it’s got a chance to go no matter where he hits it.”

Britton knows Henderson well, as he managed the 2019 second-round Draft pick at Double-A Bowie in ‘21 and at Triple-A Norfolk in ‘22. They also spent time together at the alternate training site in Bowie during the pandemic-shortened ‘20 season.

Henderson has enough power to hit home runs to all fields. Eight of his 27 first-half homers have been muscled the opposite way to either left or left-center.

However, Britton thinks Henderson may need to simplify his approach for the Derby, which the two discussed after Thursday’s practice session.

“In his mind, he knows that he can hit it out anywhere,” Britton said. “I just think it’s so much work to have to drive the ball to the opposite gap in a format where you’re trying to -- I mean, if you make it all the way to the finals, you’re taking 150 swings, 200 swings, and that’s a lot of work. We’re getting an idea of where he wants it, the speed. I think pull-side air is where you want to live in these things.”

Only two shortstops have previously won the Home Run Derby, and both were Orioles sluggers -- Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr. (1991) and Miguel Tejada (2004). They’re also the only two Baltimore players who have finished in first place at the annual event held each year the night before the All-Star Game.

Henderson will try to join that illustrious group. And he’ll have a loud on-field cheering section during the event, with catcher Adley Rutschman, infielder Jordan Westburg, outfielder Anthony Santander and right-hander Corbin Burnes also heading to Arlington as All-Stars for the O’s.

“It’ll definitely be a fun experience, and then to be able to share it with them is going to be pretty special,” Henderson said. “To have some guys there, I’m looking forward to it.”

Britton is grateful to be along for the experience as well.

“It’s really a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Britton said. “Super humbled, and I feel really blessed that he picked me, and hopefully, we go out there and have some fun.”