CLEVELAND (AP) — Gunnar Henderson quickly turned his major league debut into a success.
Henderson, called up by the Baltimore Orioles earlier in the day, homered in the fourth inning Wednesday night against the Cleveland Guardians. The 21-year-old hit a 2-2 pitch from Cleveland’s Triston McKenzie an estimated 429 feet to right-center field for his first big league hit.
Henderson’s helmet fell off as he rounded the bases. He looked to the sky after crossing home plate and was greeted at the top step of the dugout by teammates, who placed the Orioles’ home run chain around his neck.
Henderson, the game’s No. 1 prospect according to Baseball America, joins a Baltimore team that entered Wednesday three games out of the final wild card in the American League. A year after losing 110 games, the Orioles have been ahead of schedule in their rebuild, thanks in part to another top prospect, catcher Adley Rutschman.
Rutschman, the top pick in the 2019 draft, arrived in the majors earlier this season. Henderson was a second-round draft pick that same year. His stock has risen significantly this season. The 21-year-old shortstop hit 11 home runs in 65 games at Triple-A Norfolk.
Henderson said he called his parents and his girlfriend when he got the news so they could be in attendance along with other family members for Wednesday night’s game against the Guardians.
“My goal was to make it to the big leagues and send my girlfriend a text before the end of the year telling her I made it,” Henderson said. “She has the text. That was pretty cool to accomplish that, but the road is just now starting.”
The Orioles could use a boost offensively after being held to one hit in a loss to the Guardians on Tuesday night. Shortstop Jorge Mateo has 12 homers this year and has made some…