Henderson and Rutschman confirmed as All-Star starters, lineups for tonight's game in Seattle

SEATTLE - For the first time in 10 years, the Orioles will have multiple players starting in the All-Star Game.

The 2014 club won the division. The 2024 Orioles are in first place and eyeing a World Series title.

Gunnar Henderson won the American League shortstop balloting over the Royals’ Bobby Witt Jr. by receiving 65 percent of the votes. Catcher Adley Rutschman finished ahead of Kansas City’s Salvador Perez with 70 percent.

Henderson’s 26 home runs and 6.2 WAR rank second in the majors and he’s first in runs scored with 74. He’s batting .288/.383/.600 with 17 doubles, four triples, 58 RBIs and 46 walks in 84 games. He’s also stolen 13 bases in 14 attempts.

"I'm very humbled and blessed to be the starter. It's awesome being able to be do this my second full year," Henderson said.

"It's pretty cool being able to be considered. I feel like it's just a testament to the hard work that not only myself has put in, but just the hitting coaches, infield coaches. All the development stuff. The work still continues to come but it's pretty cool to be acknowledged for that."

Rutschman was the first-overall pick in 2019, and Henderson was 42^nd, a remarkable first draft for executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias.

"I see the work that Gunnar puts in and it's no surprise that he is where he is right now," Rutschman said. "But to see where it all started to now is a cool memory to look back on. I think everyone's just super proud of him and the work that he's done."

Rutschman is batting .291/.346/.465 with 12 doubles, 15 home runs, 55 RBIs and 29 walks in 80 games. He brings the same work ethic and dedication to his craft.

"Definitely was a goal of mine this year," he said. "I feel fortunate to go, and to be named starter is just a little cherry on top."

Outfielder Adam Jones and designated hitter Nelson Cruz started in 2014. The Orioles had four representatives last summer - Rutschman, outfielder Austin Hays and relievers Félix Bautista and Yennier Cano. Hays replaced injured Mike Trout in the lineup.

The club hadn't had more than one All-Star since 2016, when it sent five players to San Diego.

Pitchers and reserves will be announced on July 7 at 5:30 p.m. on ESPN. Corbin Burnes figures to make the pitching staff, but might not be available after starting Thursday.

Burnes starting every fifth game puts his next turn on the night of the All-Star Game. But he if works on normal rest with next Monday’s off-day, he’d start July 14 against the Yankees at Camden Yards.

Grayson Rodriguez and closer Craig Kimbrel also have a chance, though every team must be represented and there’s bound to be a limit on the number of Orioles.

This year’s game will be played on July 16 at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, where the Orioles resume their season after the break.

Four other Orioles finalists did not earn starts - third baseman Jordan Westburg, first baseman Ryan Mountcastle, designated hitter Ryan O’Hearn and outfielder Anthony Santander.

Westburg finished behind the Guardians’ José Ramírez, Mountcastle lost out to Toronto's Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and O’Hearn was runner-up to the Astros’ Yordan Álvarez. Santander was fourth behind Aaron Judge, who earned an automatic bid after receiving the most votes in the American League, teammate Juan Soto and Cleveland’s Steven Kwan.

Mountcastle received 39 percent and Westburg garnered 40. O'Hearn was edged out 52-48 percent. Santander received 26 to trail Soto (31) and Kwan (28).

One or more could be on the AL bench.

"I hope we have a ton of guys," Rutschman said. "I'd love to experience all that with them and just have a nice little crew in the dugout and go through it all together. It helps that everyone on this team is super close and everyone is rooting each other on."

"Everybody's very deserving," Henderson said, "and hopefully all of them get to make it."

Rutschman was a reserve last year, with the Rangers’ Jonah Heim winning the fan vote. He joins Matt Wieters (2014) and Terry Kennedy (1987) among Orioles catchers elected by fans. Wieters couldn’t play after undergoing Tommy John surgery.

Henderson made his first All-Star team and will participate in the Home Run Derby, as Rutschman did last year. He’s the first Orioles shortstop selected to the Midsummer Classic since Manny Machado in 2018.

Rutschman got the news today where he played in last year's All-Star Game, with family making the trip to Seattle from their Oregon homes.

"I think it's pretty cool," he said. "It's nice that I'll be able to see my family today, be able to tell them and kind of celebrate that with them."

It seems appropriate the Rutschman and Henderson would start together as the first two draft picks in 2019 - forever linked together in Orioles history.

"It's really cool to be able to do that, both get our first starts in the same year," Henderson said. "Pretty unreal. It's very special to me because he was my first roommate when we got in pro ball and then, obviously, we've had our relationship become best friends throughout our time together throughout the minor leagues and into the big leagues."

"It's awesome," Rutschman said. "Saw him in the weight room, was able to dap each other up and kind of have a little moment. Really cool to see him going and he obviously deserves it. Not really a surprise for anyone. But just to see how far he's come is pretty impressive.

"We were roommates down in Florida. He was my first roommate in pro ball. Watched a lot of 'Bohemian Rhapsody' in the hotel room. Just kind of has blossomed from there."

* Mountcastle is in the Orioles' lineup tonight after beginning the past three games on the bench with an illness. He's batting cleanup and serving as designated hitter.

Austin Hays is in left field and Cedric Mullins is in center.

For the Orioles

Gunnar Henderson SS
Adley Rutschman C
Ryan O'Hearn 1B
Ryan Mountcastle DH
Anthony Santander RF
Jordan Westburg 2B
Austin Hays LF
Cedric Mullins CF
Ramón Urías 3B

Dean Kremer RHP

Single-A Delmarva’s Aron Estrada, 19, was named Carolina League Player of the Month after ranking first in hits (32), runs (20), total bases (53), slugging percentage (.589) and OPS (1.005), and ranking second in average (.356). He had four home runs and 15 RBIs. 

"I've seen the work he's put in all season," manager Collin Woody said in a statement. "We're not surprised by what he's done lately, but we are impressed. Our staff knows what he's capable of and we've been impressed he's taken everything we've worked on and has shown it off in games."

For the Mariners

J.P. Crawford SS
Josh Rojas 3B
Cal Raleigh C
Luke Raley LF
Ty France 1B
Jorge Polanco DH
Julio Rodríguez CF
Dominic Canzone RF
Dylan Moore 2B

Logan Gilbert RHP