ARLINGTON, Texas — Tuesday wasn’t Cole Ragans’ first time being teammates with Adley Rutschman.

Three years before the Kansas City Royals left-hander shared the field Tuesday at the All-Star Game with the Orioles’ catcher, Ragans and Rutschman were teammates in the Futures Game — a showcase for MLB’s best prospects.

Ragans knew then what everyone does now: Rutschman is a generational catcher.

“He’s one of the best for a reason,” Ragans said. “Obviously there was hype at the time, but there was a big reason there was hype. You’ve seen what he’s done now — he’s a two-time All-Star, he’s starting this year. It’s cool to see.”

Ragans was far from the only player who spoke glowingly about the Orioles’ superstars during the All-Star festivities. Baltimore sent five players to the Midsummer Classic. Three of them started the game — shortstop Gunnar Henderson, pitcher Corbin Burnes and Rutschman.

Henderson, who also participated in Monday’s Home Run Derby, has emerged this season as one of the best players in baseball — and this week might have been his coming out party as one of its biggest stars. From his “Scooby-Doo”-themed bat in the Derby to showing his personality on national television by doing an impersonation of the cartoon dog to starting the All-Star Game at shortstop, Henderson was a main fixture at Globe Life Field.

Before the Derby, every American League player participating in the festivities sat at a table for media from across the globe to ask questions. The press was roped off until every player took their seat, and when the availability began, TV reporters and cameramen sprinted toward players for good positioning.

New York Yankees sluggers Aaron Judge and Juan Soto, of course, were the hottest commodities. The next player who was swarmed? Henderson.

Judge was asked who in MLB he would be teammates with if he could choose. His answer? Henderson.

“Seeing what he’s doing for them — they’re in first place, doing their thing — just impressive to watch at-bat after at-bat,” Judge told reporters. “He works his walks. He plays great defense. Hits the ball out of the ballpark. Hits for average. Great instincts on the basepaths, man. He’s a special talent, for sure.”

Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Trea Turner is well aware of what an MVP looks like. He’s been teammates with two-time National League Most Valuable Player Bryce Harper on two teams and former AL MVP Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts.

Does Turner view Henderson as a legitimate MVP candidate?

“Of course,” he said confidently.

Shortstops across baseball take pride in rooting for each other on the national stage. Turner said he would be rooting for Henderson and Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. in the Home Run Derby, which Witt finished second in.

Turner, now a veteran at 32 years old, said Henderson’s defense and his swing mechanics impress him most.

“I didn’t know he was as good of a defender as he is,” Turner said. “I like his swing a lot. I’ve watched a lot of guys’ swings, and how simple and efficient it is. I think that plays out over a long period of time. There’s no surprise to how good he is offensively because his swing is so good.

“I think it’s impressive that he can do everything on the field and hit in the middle of the lineup and take his walks and play great defense. It’s just the completeness.”

Marcus Semien is now a second baseman, but he started his career as a shortstop. His double-play partner, Corey Seager, also an All-Star representing the Texas Rangers, is one of the best in baseball, and Henderson’s game resembles Seager’s as a bigger shortstop who hits for power from the left side.

“He was Rookie of the Year last year, and he’s doing better now,” Semien said. “He’s definitely going to be up there in the MVP race. The way he’s leading that young team, they’re right there in the AL East with the Yankees. It’s special. I think Baltimore has had a lot of down years, and now you’re seeing what the future holds with him and Adley and those other guys.”

Los Angeles Angels left-hander Tyler Anderson has faced Henderson five times in his career, and the Orioles’ 23-year-old has gotten the better of the two-time All-Star southpaw. Henderson is 3-for-5 with a double and a homer off Anderson, who said the leadoff hitter’s “ability to hit good pitches” is what stood out the most from those interactions.

“I think he got a couple hits off me for extra bases, and it’s not like I made a mistake,” Anderson said. “He hits mistakes, but he’s also hitting good, quality pitches that pitchers pitch and hope you can get an out with. He’s still taking good swings on those, too, which is impressive, especially for a young hitter.”

Henderson is 1-for-6 off Ragans this year, but the Royals lefty still recognizes the youngster is a “special player.”

“An unbelievable player,” Ragans said. “He’s so fun to watch.”

In both matchups with the Orioles this season, Ragans faced off against Burnes, the Orioles ace who joined Baltimore this offseason in a trade from the Milwaukee Brewers.

Burnes, a four-time All-Star, earned the opportunity to start Tuesday for the first time in his career after his stellar first half. Since overcoming a hiccup in 2019, Burnes has been one of the best starting pitchers in baseball — if not the best.

The other pitchers on the Junior Circuit agree with that reputation.

“He’s obviously unbelievable,” Ragans said. “The numbers tell you everything you need to know. It’s just the way he uses his stuff. His cutter is unbelievable, it’s fun to watch. … He’s really, really good.”

“He’s relentless,” Anderson said. “He goes out there and attacks hitters all the time and fills up the zone with multiple pitches and throws strikes and comes right out guys. That’s a recipe for success.”

The last batter Burnes retired in his lone inning was former teammate William Contreras. After tagging the Brewers catcher out, Burnes gave him a hug down the first baseline.

The right-hander was one batter away from facing another ex-teammate in left fielder Christian Yelich, a three-time All-Star. Yelich said it has been “cool to see” Burnes progress throughout his career.

“I was there when he came up in 2018 with us and then in ‘19 struggled a little bit, but still had really good stuff,” Yelich said. “He went to work and came back in 2020 and he’s been one of the best pitchers in the game since. He’s got a lot of ways to attack hitters, and he’s always had good game plans. Obviously, really happy for him.”

Rutschman caught Burnes and four others, including the AL’s winning pitcher Mason Miller. Anderson, a former Oregon standout, said of Rutschman: “Other than him going to Oregon State, I love Adley.”

Anderson and Ragans both complimented how the 26-year-old calls a game and manages his pitching staff. They said Rutschman and Henderson, the Orioles’ first two picks in the 2019 draft, are forming one of baseball’s best young duos.

“That team’s good for a reason,” Ragans said. “Adley and Gunnar are a big reason why. They’re both special players who are fun to watch.”