Henderson is the second favorite at +190 odds (DraftKings MD) to take home the American League Rookie of the Year Award. The top five candidates for the AL Rookie of the Year Award are as follows;
- Josh Jong +165
- Gunnar Henderson +190
- Masataka Yoshida +200
- Hunter Brown +3000
- Taj Bradley +5000
Henderson By the Numbers
Henderson has been impressive during his rookie season, slashing .242/.336/.466/.802 with 16 bombs and 43 RBI through his first 91 games this season. Henderson has sparked the offense with his speed and bat since being moved to the leadoff spot in the lineup in early June.
Gunnar Henderson is fast pic.twitter.com/kYQzj70o9O
— Kerry (@__KerryLyn130) July 23, 2023
Henderson’s advanced numbers are equally impressive; the rookie is 4th among his rookie class in IS0 (220) and is second behind Jong in Wins Above Replacement (2.6). Those are heady numbers for the 2019 second-round draft pick.
Henderson’s defense has been solid; he’s made eight errors over 223 total chances while playing two of the most difficult defensive positions in the game (3B, SS).
Not one rookie I’m taking over Gunnar Henderson pic.twitter.com/14dyDlXwbG
— 𝙆am Brice (@kambrice1tv) July 22, 2023
American League Rookie of the Year Criteria
To be eligible to win the AL Rookie of the Year Award, a rookie must meet the following minimum requirements;
- 130 at bats
- 50 innings pitched
- 45 days on an active MLB roster before September 1.
Henderson meets each of these requirements, but so do the others. How does Henderson match up with his closest competitors, and is Henderson a good bet to land the 2023 AL Rookie of the Year Award?
Is Gunnar Henderson a Good Bet to Win the AL Rookie of the Year Award?
Gunnar Henderson is a good bet to win the 2023 AL Rookie of the Year Award.
The Orioles are in first place in the American League East, and Henderson has played a major role in Baltimore’s overtaking the Rays in the AL East standings.
Jong has been tremendous for the Texas Rangers and the betting favorite for most of the season. The Rangers are 1st in the American League West, and Jong has not only been the top rookie this season but has been one of the Rangers’ best players as well.
Jong and Henderson have been neck to neck over the last 30 days in nearly every important offensive category, but Henderson has a better on-base percentage and OPS.
While how a team fares during the regular season isn’t a requirement for winning the AL Rookie of the Year Award, the winner may be decided by how each player has helped their team in the standings.
Obviously, both players are making an impact, but the Orioles aren’t first in the AL East without Henderson. Texas has a loaded team of veterans, and they would likely be where they are in the standings if Jong weren’t as impactful as he has been this season.
Finally, Henderson may have strikeout issues, but he draws more walks with fewer strikeouts per plate appearance than Jong. Henderson has the higher ISO and hits more home runs per at bat than Jong has this season.
The Orioles shortstop doesn’t have the gaudy RBI numbers Jong has but driving in 43 runs batting leadoff like Henderson began to do in June might be more impressive, and the Orioles have been on a tear ever since. Henderson will win the AL Rookie of the Year Award, and +190 at DraftKings is a good price for this wager.
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