Hearing from Gunnar Henderson ahead of his Oriole Park debut tonight

To say the least, it’s been a strong first two big league games for baseball’s No. 1 prospect, per Baseball America, Orioles infielder Gunnar Henderson.

He’s made solid plays at third base and shortstop as O’s pitching posted back-to-back shutouts at Cleveland. At the plate he is 3-for-8 and hit his first big league homer in his first game and second at-bat.

The Orioles have gone 2-0 with Henderson in their lineup. What’s been the best part for the kid during his first two days in the majors?

“Just going out there to accomplish a dream that has been one of mine for a long time," said Henderson, who is batting eighth tonight against Oakland lefty JP Sears and playing at second base. "And especially to have my family there to experience it as well was really awesome. Couldn’t ask for a better day.”

Tonight he plays his first home game at Camden Yards and gets to hear another Baltimore edition of the national anthem.

“Really looking forward to playing my first game here," Henderson said. "Hopefully the Yard is packed tonight. Definitely being at the home park for the first time, I’ll take it all in. And just experience it. And then go to work after that.

“Now I get to experience it with a lot of fans that are rooting for us. Be surreal to experience that. Honestly, been looking forward to hearing the 'O' in the national anthem. That’s been a thing I wanted to hear ever since I got drafted and first experienced it. Made me jump when I first heard it. Looking forward to it tonight.”

Henderson became the fourth Oriole and first O's lefty hitter to homer in his debut. At 21 years and 65 days old, he is currently the youngest player in the big leagues, and there are only two players on any 40-man roster younger than him.

He fits in well in an O’s clubhouse littered with young talent, players he already knew well in many cases.

“It’s been great. Got to spend time at the alt site with a lot of these guys and just going through the minor leagues with them, really awesome to come back here," Henderson said. "They have welcomed me with open arms, and just glad to help produce and help the team win the first two games.”

Tonight he will play his third position on the infield in three games.

“I feel like being able to do that in Triple-A for a good two weeks helped me out, in a sense,” said Henderson. “I know it will be a little different here in the big leagues, but I did three games at second base and a few games at first base over the past two weeks, so I felt like that helped a lot. Get the experience and learning where I am supposed to be.

“Honestly, remembering where to be on the cutoffs (is maybe the hardest part about second base). I felt like playing shortstop and being over there in the shift has helped a lot, and fielding ground balls over there. Feel like that helps a lot.”

As did playing so well in those first two games. It has Henderson feeling ready and upbeat about this Oakland series and his first Oriole homestand.

“Just get your feet wet, early and often. Gives me confidence going into the next games and, hopefully, my whole career,” he said.

Henderson is the youngest player to make his major league debut for the Orioles since Dylan Bundy (who was 19 years, 313 days) on Sept. 23, 2012, and the youngest position player since Manny Machado (20 years, 34 days) on Aug. 9, 2012.