MLB: 5 possible cover athletes for the new Backyard Baseball game
By Asher Fair
Gunnar Henderson, SS, Baltimore Orioles
As far as elite MLB teams with homegrown talent headlining the batting order, there is pretty much zero argument against the Baltimore Orioles being at the top of that category at the moment.
After years and years of the team being somewhat of a dumpster fire (after the infamous Zach Britton playoff game that I’m not supposed to bring up), it is refreshing to see that kind of franchise having success after such an abrupt turnaround.
Though stars such as Adley Rutschman and Anthony Santander have certainly made names for themselves, Gunnar Henderson has been the main catalyst in the lineup for a Baltimore team in arguably the best position they’ve been in to reach their first World Series in more than four decades.
Last year’s AL Rookie of the Year garnered votes for MVP and won the Silver Slugger Award, and year number two has been even more productive. Postseason success in 2024 after getting swept out of the ALDS a year ago would go a long way toward solidifying the 22-year-old Montgomery, Alabama native as a true franchise centerpiece.
And while his first Home Run Derby as the No. 1 seed was one to forget, we’re willing to bet his character would still be a go-to pick for the Backyard Baseball version.