The Baltimore Orioles are preparing for the 2026 MLB season, but several players are currently away from camp due to the World Baseball Classic.
One of those players is the best talent on the roster, shortstop Gunnar Henderson. The 24‑year‑old infielder is the Orioles lone representative on Team USA, one of the strongest squads in the tournament.
Advertisement
There is a clear reason he was selected. Henderson has built an impressive career in just four seasons at the major‑league level, winning Rookie of the Year in 2022 and earning both an All‑Star selection and a Silver Slugger. He has lived up to expectations since Baltimore drafted him in the second round of the 2019 MLB Draft.
Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar HendersonTommy Gilligan-Imagn Images
(Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images)
With all that in mind, Henderson’s playing time at the WBC has fluctuated for one simple reason: Team USA has a surplus of elite infield talent. Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. is on the roster, as is Alex Bregman, who occupies third base, a position Henderson has also played.
Advertisement
Manager Mark DeRosa has experimented with players at unfamiliar positions to get everyone involved and open opportunities for Henderson, but it has not always worked out.
Henderson did not play in USA’s opening pool‑play game against Brazil, but he returned to the lineup on Saturday and erupted for a 4‑for‑5 performance at the plate in a blowout win over Great Britain.
Unfortunately for Orioles fans, that showing did not secure him a guaranteed spot. On Monday, for USA’s pool‑play matchup against Mexico, one of the most competitive rivalry games of the tournament, Henderson was not in the lineup, with Witt starting at shortstop and Bregman at third.
Advertisement
This marks Henderson’s second healthy scratch of the tournament and is understandably frustrating for Baltimore fans hoping to watch their franchise cornerstone shine on the international stage.
When Henderson returns to Orioles camp, he will not have to worry about fluctuating playing time, as he will be locked in as the everyday shortstop. He is coming off another strong season in 2025, posting a .274 batting average, .349 on‑base percentage, .787 OPS, 17 home runs and 68 RBIs across 154 games.
Advertisement
If Henderson carries that production into 2026, he will once again be the engine driving Baltimore’s push toward another postseason run.
Related: Team USA Facing Backlash for Gunnar Henderson Decision at World Baseball Classic
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Mar 9, 2026, where it first appeared in the MLB section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.