Orioles’ Mailbag: Could Gunnar Henderson be AL Most Valuable Player?

Every weekday, I’ll be answering at least one Orioles question. If you’d like to submit a question, send it to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com. Questions may be edited for clarity, length and style.

Question:  Gunnar Henderson’s performance so far this season has been amazing. He has displayed superior speed, power, and defensive skills. I started watching baseball in the late 1950s, and his play reminds me of Mickey Mantle and Willie Mays in their prime. Do you think he has a chance to be the American League MVP in his second season? From: Noel Marks

Answer: Noel, you’re putting Henderson in some lofty company, and I think that if his level of play continues to be as high as it currently is, he certainly has a chance to be the Most Valuable Player. It doesn’t hurt that Shohei Ohtani is now in the National League. Please remember that the Orioles have played only 27 games, less than 20 percent of the season, so we’re just getting started.

Question: As I watch another season of Orioles baseball, I can’t help but wonder why we allow umpires to call balls and strikes, leaving us with “a low strike zone today” or a “wide strike zone today.” I find it disheartening.

Do you think it might be time for MLB to use the automated system so every strike zone is the same, every day, every game? From: John Miller

Answer: John, I don’t think MLB will use an automated system, but I think it’s reasonable for them to try a challenge system as is used in some Triple-A games where a team can challenge the ball or strike call three times per game. It would be like the system used in tennis where players challenge whether a ball is in or out.