Former Alabama Mr. Baseball finishes fourth in voting for AL MVP

Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson finished fourth in the voting for the 2024 American League Most Valuable Player Award.

The Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA) announced on Thursday night that New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge won the award unanimously.

Henderson, who was a standout high school player at Morgan Academy in Selma and earned Alabama’s Mr. Baseball honor in 2019, received six third-place votes, 16 fourth-place votes, and eight fifth-place votes from the 30 BBWAA members who voted.

Henderson totaled 208 points, finishing behind Judge, who earned 420 points with 30 first-place votes; Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., who received 270 points from 30 second-place votes; and Yankees outfielder Juan Soto, who accumulated 229 points with 21 third-place votes, seven fourth-place votes, and two fifth-place votes.

After winning the AL Rookie of the Year Award unanimously in 2023, Henderson hit 37 home runs, recorded 118 runs, and drove in 92 RBIs in 2024. He also started at shortstop for the American League in the 2024 MLB All-Star Game.

The National League MVP Award was also decided by a unanimous vote, with Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani claiming the honor. Ohtani has previously won two AL MVP awards with the Los Angeles Angels.