Baltimore Orioles Superstar Already Has MVP Potential
It's been more than 30 years since the last time a Baltimore Orioles player won AL MVP. They haven't had one since Cal Ripken Jr. back in 1991, before many current Orioles were even born.
That drought could finally be about to end, however.
Baltimore is arguably the best team in the AL and has several legitimate MVP candidates on its roster, including Gunnar Henderson and Adley Rutschman.
Both players finished top-10 in MVP voting last year in only their second MLB seasons. Given their youth and burgeoning talent, it wouldn't be surprising if one of them takes the leap this year and brings home some hardware.
Ryan Ripken -- Cal's son and a former Orioles farmhand -- believes Henderson has what it takes to reach the next level.
Ripken broke down Henderson's swing on the Ryan Ripken Show, specifically an opposite-field double he laced off Toronto Blue Jays ace Kevin Gausman. According to Ripken, one of the things that makes Henderson special is his ability to hit to all fields, especially the opposite field.
"Gunnar Henderson is unstoppable when he can do things like this," Ripken said. "If he does this again this year, Gunnar Henderson's gonna hit towards .300 and probably be the MVP of the league."
It's hard not to be bullish about Henderson heading into 2024. The former No. 1 prospect is only 22 and won AL Rookie of the Year unanimously last season after clubbing 28 home runs with an .814 OPS.
If Henderson can cut down on his strikeouts a bit (career 25.6 K%) and add some points to his .256 average, he may prove Ripken right.
