Gunnar Henderson has been a disappointment for the Baltimore Orioles in 2026, with a .224 batting average and 81 strikeouts in 334 plate appearances.
What happened?
The 24-year-old has shown flashes of superstardom in his five-year career, earning AL Rookie of the Year and a Silver Slugger award.
He finished fourth in AL MVP voting just two years ago, but this year he has looked like a shell of himself.
The power is still there, with 14 home runs and 34 RBIs, but the high strikeout rate is alarming.
Why it matters for Gunnar Henderson
Henderson's struggles have been a primary reason for the Orioles' underperforming offense, which has dealt with plenty of injuries to position players.
The team invested heavily in proven bats like Pete Alonso and Taylor Ward, but Henderson's slump has made it hard to provide run support.
What comes next?
Henderson addressed his frustrating season after going 0-for-4 in a loss against the Seattle Mariners, saying "I feel like I'm putting in the right work to get the results to show, but they haven't really shown up."
He has time to turn it around, with the All-Star break approaching, and if he can pick things up in the second half, his numbers could look respectable again.
The Orioles have dealt with injuries, but Henderson finding himself again would go a long way toward proving they are still worth watching.
And with the trade deadline looming, the front office may shift its approach and sell off pieces if the team doesn't turn it around.
But for now, Henderson remains focused on getting back to his old self, and the Orioles are counting on him to lead the offense.
So the question is, can Gunnar Henderson turn his season around and lead the Orioles to a comeback?
The answer will have to wait, but one thing is certain, the Orioles need Henderson to find his form again if they want to contend.