Gunnar Henderson

Gunnar Henderson's 2024 was a full-scale breakout — 37 home runs, a 139 wRC+, and a top-five MVP finish. But 2025 was a step back across the board: his barrel rate dropped to 8.5%, his wRC+ fell to 120, and his power numbers dipped to 17 home runs. His three benchmarks — Barrel% at 10%, wRC+ at 140, and an HR pace of 30 — are designed to answer one question: can he get back to MVP-caliber production? The barrel rate tests whether he's squaring the ball up with authority, wRC+ captures his total offensive value, and the HR pace tracks the game-changing power that makes him a franchise cornerstone. If Henderson is the player he was in 2024, the Orioles are a legitimate contender.