Here’s a bold statement: even one of the fastest players in Major League Baseball can get faster. But here’s where it gets controversial—Gunnar Henderson, already a speedster on the field, spent his offseason not just maintaining his quickness, but completely rethinking how he runs. Yes, you read that right. Despite ranking in the 79th percentile for sprint speed among MLB players, Henderson realized he’d never been taught the right way to run. And this is the part most people miss—speed isn’t just about raw athleticism; it’s about technique, mechanics, and efficiency. So, what did he do? He teamed up with Cal Tinsley at Tinsley Performance in Pelham, Alabama, to break down and rebuild his running form from the ground up. Imagine this: Henderson, inside a warehouse, lunging from cone to cone, his body low, arms hovering, legs firing like pistons as he follows alternating lights. It’s not just a workout—it’s a revolution in how he moves. But here’s the kicker: Henderson’s 6-foot-3 frame was working against him. Rising to his full height too quickly during sprints was costing him precious time, as it generated more vertical force than horizontal power. Tinsley compares it to Scooby-Doo’s cartoonish running style—funny in animation, but counterproductive in real life. So, they focused on drills that forced Henderson to stay low, using resistance bands and sleds to emphasize horizontal power. The goal? To make his first three steps—the make-or-break moments in any sprint—more explosive and efficient. And this is where it gets even more fascinating: Henderson’s size, a blessing for power at the plate (his 92.1 mph exit velocity is in the 89th percentile), could actually hinder his quick-twitch plays at shortstop or on the bases if he didn’t focus on mobility. By retraining his mechanics, he’s not just faster—he’s smarter about how he moves. The results? Henderson shaved significant time off his 10-yard split, dropping from the mid-1.50s to the upper 1.40s. In baseball terms, that’s the difference between a routine play and a game-changing steal. Tinsley even pitted Henderson against Tyler Tolbert, one of the fastest players in the majors, and Henderson held his own or outright beat him. But here’s the question: Is this the future of athletic training? Should all players, regardless of their natural speed, rethink their fundamentals? Henderson’s journey isn’t just about getting faster—it’s about challenging the status quo. As he prepares for the World Baseball Classic and the upcoming season, one thing’s clear: every split second counts. So, what do you think? Is Henderson onto something, or is this just overcomplicating a simple skill? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments!
