2023 AL Rookie of the Year odds: Orioles top prospect Gunnar Henderson, likely next year's betting favorite, set for MLB debut Wednesday

Bettors won't be able to wager on the 2023 American League Rookie of the Year prop until at least next winter at various sportsbooks, but the potential if not likely favorite is expected to make his big-league debut tonight in Cleveland. The Baltimore Orioles are calling up infielder Gunnar Henderson as they make a Wild-Card push in the final month. The O's are +380 long shots at Caesars to reach the postseason. 

MLB.com ranks Henderson as the No. 2 overall prospect in the sport behind Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez (who might have debuted in September if not for an injury) but a few other reputable sites and experts have him at No. 1.

The 6-foot-2, 210-pound Henderson was a second-round steal in the 2019 draft by the Orioles. In that same draft, Baltimore took Arizona State catcher Adley Rutschman at No. 1 overall, and he was the top overall prospect in MLB before being called up earlier this year and is a legit 2022 AL Rookie of the Year candidate -- but a +300 second favorite behind Seattle's Julio Rodriguez (-400).

Henderson, who at age 20 (since turned 21) was the youngest player at Triple-A when he was promoted in June, posted a .947 OPS with 19 homers in 112 games across Double-A and Triple-A this season. Over 503 combined plate appearances at those levels, Henderson hit .297/.416/.531 with 22 steals in 25 chances. He's a natural shortstop who hits left-handed but should get most of his time this year at third.

MLB rosters expand tomorrow, so it's interesting the Orioles are doing this now instead of waiting 24 hours. Why do so? Because Henderson would be eligible for the postseason roster and wouldn't have been if called up Sept. 1. In order to make room on the active roster, Baltimore optioned infielder Tyler Nevin to Triple-A Norfolk, and to open a spot on the 40-man roster the club designated right-hander Denyi Reyes for assignment.

Will Henderson qualify as a rookie next year? Probably, because the only way he wouldn't is if he has more than 130 regular-season at-bats in 2022. Baltimore has 32 games left and players generally average four at-bats per game – plus, Henderson isn't going to play every day. He may be part of a mini-platoon with Ramón Urías at third. Henderson also could fill in occasionally at first and second base. 

This situation is reminiscent of Tampa Bay's Randy Arozarena. He was a Sept. 1 callup in 2020 and a playoff star in helping lead the Rays to the World Series, and was then was the 2021 AL Rookie of the Year.

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