AUBURN, Ala. – Following in the footsteps of players like Davis Daniel, Tanner Burns and Garrett Wade during the last three years, Gunnar Henderson is the latest example of high-end, in-state talent that chose to sign with Auburn.
"Having the opportunity to play at my dream school and close to home is a true blessing," Henderson said. "Being a part of the Auburn program has been a long-time dream of mine, and the chance to play under Coach Thompson only adds to the excitement. Watching Coach Thompson and the Auburn baseball team win more and more games each year motivates me to be the best I can be to help the team reach the College World Series."
From nearby Selma, Alabama, Henderson is the top-rated player in the state and the No. 40 overall player in the 2019 class, making him the highest-rated position player head coach Butch Thompson and his staff has hauled on The Plains. Among numerous other accolades, the big-bodied shortstop was named an Under Armour and Perfect Game All-American last season.
"The experiences this summer at the Under Armour All-American Game, Perfect Game All-American Classic and USA 40 Man Trials were humbling to be a part of and a great opportunity to compete with the best in our class," Henderson added. "Being able to play with and become friends with all of the players over the course of these events was one my favorite parts. Seeing the best players and how I compare to them motivates me to keep getting better throughout the offseason. Playing in these events was a blessing from God, and I can never thank Him enough for the talent and opportunities he has blessed me with."
Gunnar Henderson Bio Blast
- Hometown: Selma, Ala.
- High School: John T. Morgan Academy
- Travel Team: The Prospect Lab (TPL)
- Position: Infielder
- Height/Weight: 6-3, 195 lbs.
- Bio: rated by Perfect Game as the No. 1 player in Alabama … tabbed the No. 40 overall player and No. 11 shortstop in the 2019 class … rated by Perfect Game as the No. 47 prospect in the 2019 MLB Draft … listed as the No. 26 high school prospect by Prep Baseball Report … 2018 Perfect Game Preseason Underclass First Team All-American … competed in the 2018 Perfect Game All-American Classic and National Showcase … named to the National Showcase Top Prospect Team … started at third base in the 2018 Under Armour All-American Game and went 1-for-3 with a walk, run and two RBI … named to the USA National Team 17U Trials Roster … 2017 WWBA National Championship All-Tournament Team … hit .483 with three doubles, two triples and two home runs after coming back from an injury his junior year at Morgan Academy … named an AISA Baseball All-Star … also a three-year letterwinner in basketball and one-year letterwinner in football … named the 2017 and 2018 Morgan Academy Basketball Invitational MVP … 2016 Morgan Academy Most Valuable Defensive Back … is the son of Kerry and Allen Henderson … has two siblings, Jackson and Cade.
Auburn baseball will continue to announce its 2019 signing class with the addition of new student-athletes during the next few weeks.
The Tigers begin the 2019 campaign with a three-game series against Georgia Southern from Feb. 15-17. Season tickets, which cost $195 per seat, cover Auburn's 32-game home schedule and include 15 SEC contests. Fans can reach the Auburn ticket office by phone at 1-855-282-2010 or by emailing tickets@auburn.edu. To order tickets online, visit www.aubtix.com.