Gunnar Henderson headed to Baltimore Orioles
Published 9:47 am Monday, June 24, 2019
Former Morgan Academy shortstop Gunnar Henderson has decided to play for the Baltimore Orioles.
Henderson, The Selma Times-Journal’s baseball player of the year, bypasses a baseball scholarship at Auburn University. The Orioles offered Henderson a $2.3 million contract. He was the Orioles’ second-round pick in the MLB Amateur Draft.
Henderson said Monday he will leave for Baltimore on Tuesday and take a physical with the Orioles. Henderson said if he passes the physical, he will go pro.
“It was a real tough decision between me and my family,” Henderson said. “We prayed until the right decision was made.”
At Auburn, Henderson would’ve played with his older brother Jackson Henderson.
“It was real tough, but Jackson understood my decision and he supported me,” Henderson said. “I’m looking forward to playing in Baltimore.”
Henderson hit .559 with 11 homers, 17 doubles, nine triples and 75 RBI as the Senators (30-2) reached the AISA State Championship series.
Henderson landed several honors this season. Henderson was named first team All-American by Collegiate Baseball and USA Today. He also captured the Alabama’s Mr. Baseball, AISA player of the year, hitter of the year and Gatorade player of the year in Alabama. He was also AISA basketball player of the year and AISA All-Star Basketball game MVP.