Does Texas Rangers' Josh Jung Deserve Rookie of Year Over Baltimore Orioles' Gunnar Henderson?

When it comes to the future of the third basemen in the American League, you can't go wrong with Josh Jung and Gunnar Henderson.

The conversation likely ceased when Texas Rangers third baseman Josh Jung headed to the injured list with a broken thumb. 

Baltimore Orioles infielder Gunnar Henderson certainly moved into the favorite role, especially as he learned to cut down on the strikeout rate.

But regardless of which future star infielder wins the American League Rookie of the Year, fans enjoying the American League Division Series are being treated to two players destined for stardom. 

“He’s a heck of a player,” Jung said of Henderson. “He’s done some incredible things this year, truly. To watch him grow up in the game, being rookies in the game, to see how he took over there in the second half was incredible. Couldn’t be happier for him.”

Josh Jung's homer ended up being the difference in the Rangers' 3-2 win in Game 1 / © Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Jung's right. Henderson delivered with the 101-win ball club in his first season. He finished third among all AL players — not just rookies — in WAR with 6.3. His 28 home runs surpassed other rookies like Corbin Carroll (Arizona Diamondback) and Francisco Alvarez (New York Mets). 

Henderson, 22, deserves consideration for the Jackie Robinson Award, but Jung at least presents a case. But if he can't win the individual honor, perhaps he could claim a bigger prize during the series. 

A trip to the ALCS. 

In that category, advantage Jung with a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five series after a weekend in Baltimore. The Rangers have a chance to close it out at home with two games at Globe Life Field starting Tuesday night.

Jung, 25, belted a no-doubt solo blast in the top of the sixth inning to extend Texas' lead to two in a 3-2 Game 1 victory. He also played exceptional defense with five putouts, including two inning-ending double plays. 

In the 11-8 victory Sunday, Jung went 2-for-4 with two runs and a walk.

Jung hit .266 with 23 home runs and 70 RBI in just 122 games in his first season in the bigs.

Henderson finished 1-of-4 with two strikeouts in Game 1. After finally reaching base in the final frame to give the Orioles life, catcher Jonah Heim delivered a strike to stop Henderson from stealing second. 

Henderson, who slashed .255/.325/.489 during the regular season, was much better Sunday, going 2-for-4 with three runs and a fifth-inning homer off Jordan Montgomery.

This is the future of the position without question. Henderson might be playing shortstop for now, but he's just keeping the dirt warm until former No. 1 pick Jackson Holliday makes his debut sometime next spring. 

And the only person who perhaps stands in Henderson's way for the title of top hot-handed corner is Jung, a natural defender who put up All-Star numbers at the plate before suffering a thumb injury that sidelined him for over a month. 

That was enough for Henderson to create separation in the Rookie of the Year race. But Jung may have the upper hand in the playoffs if the Rangers can close it out.

He would gladly trade a trip to the ALCS over the rookie award.

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