Henderson on the 2019 draft All-Stars, Hyde on Kjerstad's defense (NYY up next)

On Tuesday night during the All-Star game in Texas, no doubt at some point the national television audience will hear one of the broadcasters point out the two O’s starters in the game – Adley Rutschman and Gunnar Henderson – were the first two draft picks by Mike Elias after joining the Orioles.

Rutschman was the No. 1 pick in that 2019 draft but the Orioles got Henderson at No. 42 overall. Baseball America had him at No. 30 in their pre-draft projections.

The first two picks of the new regime are now All-Stars.

“It is definitely a testament to Elias,” Henderson said in the clubhouse pregame yesterday. “I know Rutch was obviously the consensus 1/1 pick. But to take a chance on me, I can’t thank him enough for that. Just glad to be able to go out there and help the O’s win some games.”

So why was Gunnar still there at pick No. 42?

“I mean, I guess just from hearing stuff it was going to be that maybe the high school competition I was playing wasn’t that great. But I had one of the better work ethics in the draft and I continue to work hard to this day, and I felt like that is kind of what separates me from that. Just going out there and playing the game the way I know I can play and trying to hold myself to that standard each and every day."

The Orioles have had just two Home Run Derby winners. Cal Ripken Jr. in 1991 in Toronto and Miguel Tejada in 2004 in Houston.

To try and become the third and win the eight-man competition Monday night, Henderson did some Home Run Derby practicing on the field at Camden Yards yesterday with Triple-A Norfolk manager Buck Britton here and pitching to him. Just as he will do Monday night in Texas.

What made Buck the pitching choice for Gunnar?

“I’ve hit off him a lot," he said. "Even as far back as the 2020 alt site to instructs and spring training and then obviously as my Double-A and Triple-A manager. I have hit off him a lot. Always felt comfortable hitting off him. Really excited and happy for him to be able to throw to me.”

Henderson will quickly say “yes” when you ask him if Britton is a special guy in his career.

“I have really enjoyed spending time with Buck. He has been very helpful in my development as a professional. Just kind of learning that side of things. He’s been in it and been around his brother (Zack) who has been unreal, and his career speaks for itself. He understands everything about the professional side of the game and me being 18, 19 at that early point in pro ball to learn from him was huge.”

Yesterday the two got some practice in in advance of Monday. 

“We’re just going to try and get kind of a feel for it. So it’s not trial by fire when we get over there,” said Henderson.

Hyde on Kjerstad’s defense: When it comes to O’s prospects finding their way to Baltimore and getting playing time when they get here, never forget how important defense is valued by the Orioles. Not all prospects can handle the glove like Gunnar and Jordan Westburg for instance.

But outfielder Heston Kjerstad has made some nice plays in his short time here with the Orioles. He is trying to show that he can handle himself out there.

Baseball America grades Kjerstad a 45 on the 20-80 scouting scale for his fielding, slightly below average and a 55 for his arm, slightly above.

Here is what O’s manager Brandon Hyde said this week about Kjerstad’s defense.

“Well, he had those couple of years off (dealing with myocarditis) and getting back to playing again is really, really helpful. I’ve seen gradual improvement over the last couple of years. His routes. I think he is running really well. He went first to third in Oakland, and he was running really good and fast. Even though he’s got the hair flopping behind him and a kind of a different running style, he moves. So that’s been great to see.

“And he works every day extremely hard on his defense, on his jumps. His throwing has been really good as well and so this is not an easy left field to play. He’s had a couple of starts out there and he’s played it well. So, the future is bright for Heston."

Improved defense provides a better chance to play more.

“When you can play defense, it’s a big, big deal,” said Hyde.

Cubs sweep: So one way for the Orioles to erase the memory of getting swept at home by the Chicago Cubs would be to beat the New York Yankees tonight and open a three-game lead atop the AL East.

The Birds were blanked 8-0 last night, scored just two runs in three games versus the Cubs and have now gone 24 straight innings without a run.

They are not exactly charging into this next series, but neither are the Yankees.

The Orioles have gone 8-11 since June 21 and have actually gained 2.5 games as New York has gone 5-13 in that same span. After their loss to Tampa Bay Thursday night, New York has lost seven of nine and is 6-17 its last 23 games. In this stretch, the Yankees team ERA is 5.91 and their staff has allowed 40 homers. 

The Orioles have gone 22 straight AL East series without losing one since they lost two of three to New York at Oriole Park April 7-9, 2023. This season the Orioles are 5-2 versus the Yankees and 19-7 in division games.

One struggling team will come up with an important win tonight in Baltimore.

Here is a link to my tweet showing Gunnar with HR Derby practice yesterday. Click this tweet here to see my take on Samuel Basallo, who will play in the Futures Game tomorrow recently on the Ryan Ripken show.