Gunnar Henderson is the first participant to be joining the 2024 Home Run Derby at Globe Life Field.
The 23-year-old shortstop confirmed his commitment live on ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball broadcast while being interviewed in the top of the third inning.
Henderson will be the second player on Baltimore’s infield to participate in the event, joining catcher Adley Rutchman who fell to Luis Robert Jr. in the first round of last year’s challenge.
Like Rutchman, who made his Derby debut during his third season in the majors, Henderson has had a hot start to his young MLB career and is actively making a turn for the better with his play at the plate.
Through 79 games this season, Henderson leads the Orioles in home runs, runs and RBI’s while floating an OPS of .997 across his stat line, also the highest of any Orioles batter this season.
His 26 long balls trail only New York’s Aaron Judge (31) this season for the league lead and has him tied with Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani in that category.
Henderson will be making his Derby debut under different rules than in years past, with the MLB announcing changes to both the formatting and flow of the annual tournament.
The first round of the eight-batter tournament will no longer be a head-to-head bracket and instead will advance the four top scorers to the semifinals.
Ties will be broken by the longest home run amongst batters in the first round with three-minute rounds preceding the two-minute round in the finals.
Henderson will look to become the third Baltimore player to come out of the event with a win and join Cal Ripken Jr. and Miguel Tejada as the franchise’s previous victors.
Toronto’s Vladamir Gurrero Jr. took home his second career title at last season’s competition, defeating AL East rival Randy Arozarena in the final.
The 2024 Home Run Derby will take place on July 15th.