Gunnar Henderson

Henderson has quickly established himself as one of the premier young hitters in baseball. At 24, he already has a 35-homer season under his belt with double-digit steals and shortstop eligibility. The most exciting development in 2026 is a barrel rate jump: his early-season barrel rate is nearly double his 2025 mark of 8.5%, suggesting a real mechanical improvement in his swing.

The key stat to watch is whether the barrel rate sustains above 12%. Going from 8.5% to the mid-teens is a massive change that separates a 25-homer hitter from a 35-homer hitter. His xwOBA and avg exit velocity both support the improvement. Steamer projects 28 HR, 24 SB, and a .275 AVG rest of season, but if the barrel rate holds, 35 HR is realistic.

Verdict: Hold. Henderson at 24 with a barrel rate jump and five-category production at shortstop is exactly the trajectory you want to own. He is a top-10 asset trending toward top-5.