Albernaz looking forward to draft; Henderson’s struggles; Orioles-Royals lineups

BALTIMORE—Orioles manager Craig Albernaz is looking forward to this weekend’s amateur draft.

“It’s an exciting time of the year,” said Albernaz, who wasn’t drafted. “It’s going to be a life-changing moment for a lot of players … The major league draft is such a crapshoot. You don’t know who’s going to pan out, so it’s fun and exciting.”

Albernaz, a graduate of Eckerd College who was signed as undrafted free agent, had to make the transition to a professional.

“In college, you play on the weekends and practice the rest of the time,” Albernaz said. “It’s a big adjustment. You get to play with players from different countries. It’s a bunch of different coaching. You’re way out of your comfort zone as far as the places you’re used to being in every single day.

“The biggest thing is the workload component of it, playing every day, practicing every day. It’s getting your body acclimated to that.”

Henderson’s struggles

Shortstop Gunnar Henderson enters Friday’s game against the Kansas City Royals hitting .219, his lowest since June 11^th. He’s hitting just .111 (3-for-27) in July. He hasn’t homered since June 19^th.

“Gunnar is mentally tough,” Albernaz said. “You don’t make it to his level and have the success that he has without being mentally tough, and I would imagine it’s hard for him right now just because he’s getting good pitches to hit, putting good swings on it and it’s right at people.

“He’s done a great job of turning the page. I know there’s a lot of times where he really probably wants to let out some frustration, but he does a great job of controlling his emotions and being in the game and especially playing shortstop.

“His engagement has always been there and it will be there, and hopefully these hard-hit balls will find some space.”

Henderson’s expected batting average is .238, the widest gap with his actual average in his career.”

Orioles-Royals lineups

Orioles

Gunnar Henderson-SS

Adley Rutschman-C

Taylor Ward-LF

Pete Alonso-1B

Samuel Basallo-DH

Dylan Beavers-RF

Colton Cowser-CF

Blaze Alexander-3B

Jackson Holliday-2B

Brandon Young-RHP

Royals

Carter Jensen-C

Bobby Witt Jr.-SS

Jac Cagliaone-RF

Lane Thomas-CF

Michael Massey-2B

Salvador Perez-1B

Josh Rojas-3B

Nick Loftin-DH

Isaac Collins-LF

Luinder Avila-RHP

Call for questions: I answer Orioles questions most weekdays. Please send yours to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com