Henderson was born inMontgomery, Alabama, and grew up inSelma, Alabama, where he attendedJohn T. Morgan Academy and played basketball and baseball.[1] Henderson committed to play college baseball atAuburn University during his sophomore season.[2] As a senior in 2019, he was named the Alabama Player of the Year after batting .559 with 17doubles, nine triples, 11 home runs, 69 runs scored and 75 RBIs while stealing 32 bases.[3] Henderson was also named theAlabama Independent School Association Player of the Year in basketball after averaging 17 points and 11 rebounds per game.[4][5] Two years after his graduation in 2019, his uniform number 2 was retired by the Morgan Academy baseball program on January 8, 2021.[6]
TheBaltimore Orioles selected Henderson in the second round of the2019 Major League Baseball draft with the 42nd overall pick.[7] Henderson signed with the club for a $2.3 million signing bonus.[8] After signing, he was assigned to the rookie-levelGulf Coast League Orioles.[9] Henderson finished his first professional season with a .259 batting average, one home run, and 11 RBI.[10]
Henderson in 2019
After the 2020 minor league season wascanceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Henderson was added to the Orioles' alternate training site midway through the Major League season and then took part in the team's fall Instructional League.[11][12] Henderson was named the best overall athlete in the Orioles' minor league system going into the 2021 season.[13] He began the season with theLow-ADelmarva Shorebirds and was promoted to theHigh-AAberdeen IronBirds and theDouble-ABowie Baysox during the year.[14][15][16] Over 105 games between the three teams, he slashed .258/.350/.476 with 17 home runs, 74 RBI, 28 doubles and 16 stolen bases.[17]
Henderson began the 2022 season at Bowie.[18] He entered the season as a consensus top-100 prospect across baseball.[19] Henderson batted .312/.452/.573 in 157 at bats with eight home runs and 35 RBI with 41 runs scored in 47 games for the Baysox before being promoted to theTriple-ANorfolk Tides.[20] On June 28, 2022, the day before his 21st birthday, hehit for the cycle in a 8–2 win over theGwinnett Stripers.[21] Henderson was selected to represent the Orioles at the 2022All-Star Futures Game.[22]
The Orioles selected Henderson's contract on August 31, 2022, and promoted him to the active roster.[23] He made the starting roster later that day, in a game against theCleveland Guardians. His first major league hit was a home run off ofTriston McKenzie[24] Henderson batted .259 with four home runs and 18 RBIs in 34 games with the Orioles in 2022.[25] Following the season, Henderson was named the 2022Baseball America Minor League Player of the Year. The honor came after Henderson hit .297 with 19 home runs, 76 RBI, and 22 stolen bases in 112 games split between Bowie and Norfolk.[26]
Henderson was awarded the March/AprilAmerican League Player of the Month Award in recognition of his strong start to the2024 season.[35] In 29 games, Henderson slashed .291/.356/.624 with 10 home runs, 24 RBI and six stolen bases.[36][37] A day after his 23rd birthday, Henderson announced that he would be taking part in the 2024 Home Run Derby.[38] Henderson was selected to his first All-Star game in 2024.[39] He finished the 2024 regular season with 37 HRs, 92 RBI, .893 OPS, .281 AVG, and 21 stolen bases, all career highs.
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