Call to the pen
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Baltimore Orioles bringing up top prospect for stretch run

By David Hill

Jun 26, 2019; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles second round draft pick Gunnar Henderson participates in pre game practice before a game between the Orioles and the San Diego Padres at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 26, 2019; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles second round draft pick Gunnar Henderson participates in pre game practice before a game between the Orioles and the San Diego Padres at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Baltimore Orioles are adding reinforcements for the final few weeks of the regular season.

Top prospect Gunnar Henderson is getting his long awaited call to the majors. According to the Orioles on MASN Twitter account, he is being recalled from Triple-A and will wear number 2 as he makes his debut.

Baltimore Orioles hoping Gunnar Henderson can make impact

The Orioles have been one of the biggest surprises in baseball. Their 67-61 record heading into Wednesday is far better than anyone could have imagined. Despite selling at the trade deadline, they are just three games out in the chase for the Wild Card and could claw their way into the postseason.

Henderson could be a key part of that push. Arguably the top minor league prospect, he had produced a .297/.416/.531 batting line in his 503 plate appearances between Double-A and Triple-A, hitting 19 homers and 24 doubles while stealing 22 bases. He is clearly ready for the next challenge.

Second base has been a black hole for the Orioles this season. Rougned Odor has gotten the vast majority of the action at the keystone and has not produced nearly enough for a team looking to reach the postseason. He has produced a meager .197/.264/.353 batting line with 11 homers and 17 doubles in his 398 plate appearances, leaving it possible that the last time he truly connected with anything involved Jose Bautista’s jaw.

It is unfair to pin the Orioles’ hopes to Henderson. He is just one player after all, a 21 year old prospect who has just 295 plate appearances at Triple-A. However, he does have the potential to live up to those hopes and propel the Orioles on another run.

dark. Next. Orioles playing with Little League joy

The Baltimore Orioles could get one more push for the postseason. Gunnar Henderson has been called up for the stretch run.

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