Shortstop Debate: Baltimore Orioles’ Gunnar Vs. Royals’ Witt Jr.

Two young All Star Shortstops have captivated the attention of Major League Baseball.

Baltimore Orioles Gunnar Henderson, and Kansas City Royals Bobby Witt Jr. are game-changing stars.

Both Henderson and Witt are leading their respective teams to the MLB playoffs.

About Gunnar Henderson:

Left-handed hitting Gunnar Henderson was a second round selection of the Baltimore Orioles in the 2019 MLB draft. That same year, the Orioles chose catcher Adley Rutschman with the first overall pick.

Henderson was drafted from John T. Morgan Academy in Selma, Alabama. He was Alabama’s “Mr Baseball.”

Henderson was also a basketball star in high school.

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As the No. 42 player in the draft, Henderson received a $2.3 million signing bonus from the Orioles.

Signing Henderson kept him away from attending Auburn University.

At 6-3, 220 pounds, Henderson has an ideal baseball frame. By comparison, Hall of Fame Orioles shortstop Cal Ripken Jr. is 6-4, 200 pounds.

A tremendous athlete, Henderson, 23, soared through his Orioles development program. He played only parts of three minor league seasons, gaining 1,087 plate appearances.

He made his major league debut August 31, 2022, against Cleveland.

Henderson won the American League Rookie of the Year Award in 2023, when he hit .255/.325/.489/.814, with 29 doubles, nine triples, 28 home runs, and 82 RBIs in 623 plate appearances. He stole 10 bases in 13 attempts.

Henderson won a Silver Slugger Award last season.

An All Star this year, Henderson sets the tone for the Orioles.

Henderson is a complete, five-tool player.

Offensively, Henderson has a tremendous combination of power and speed. He can hit for average, hit home runs, and steal bases.

Using the entire field, it isn’t unusual to see Henderson hit both gaps, and be off to the races. It takes almost perfect defensive relay execution to keep Henderson from taking extra bases on his hard hit line drives.

Henderson still has some aggressive swinging strikeouts in his game, but more often than not, he can drive the ball against any type of pitch. His concentration, and tracking of the ball out of the pitcher’s hand is superb.

To put it mildly, Henderson is a very dangerous hitter. Especially in an Orioles lineup that features firepower and good hitting mechanics

Defensively, Henderson has soft, sure hands, great first step quickness, and an excellent arm. His range allows him to make spectacular plays, with throws that have accuracy and carry.

There isn’t anything Henderson can’t do on a baseball field.

As play began September 18, Henderson was hitting .280/.365/.539/.904, with 37 home runs,and 87 RBIs in 674 plate appearances. He has stolen 19 bases.

About Bobby Witt Jr:

Bobby Witt Jr. is 6-1, 200 pounds.

The son of right-handed major league pitcher, Bobby Witt, the younger Witt Jr, 24, has an incredible array of talents.

The comparisons between Henderson and Witt make their presence together in the American League even more intriguing.

Witt was a 1st round selection of the Royals in the 2019 MLB draft, which was the same year Henderson was selected.

Chosen out of Colleyville Heritage High School in Colleyville, Texas, Witt received $7.787 million by signing with the Royals.

Signing Witt kept him away from attending University of Oklahoma.

Witt was the Gatorade National Baseball Player of the Year, when he hit .515 with 15 homers as a senior.

Witt won the high school home run Derby at Nationals Park in 2018.

Witt also won the Baseball America High School player of the year award in his senior year.

Like Henderson, Witt is a tremendous shortstop on both offense and defense.

Witt spent parts of only two seasons in his minor league development. He received only 744 plate appearances before he graduated to the parent Royals in April 2022.

Witt played for the United States in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.

Last season, Witt hit .276/.319/.495/.813 with 28 doubles, 11 triples, 30 home runs, and 96 RBIs. He stole 49 bases in 64 attempts.

Like Henderson, Witt has an outstanding combination of power and speed.

With the ability to hit for a high batting average, Witt is called upon to set the pace for the Royals. He gets on bases, gets in scoring position, and scores.

Witt’s ability to steal bases at will helps generate runs for his club.

Last season, Witt stole 49 bases in 64 attempts. He also used his speed to collect 11 triples.

Witt is on pace to win his first MLB American League batting championship. He is hitting .331/.386/.598/.984 in 671 plate appearances, prior to play September 18.

Bobby Witt is also leading all of baseball in runs scored, with 123.