Orlando Gomez retires after a 52-year career in baseball

Orlando Gomez retires after a 52-year career in baseball
He managed Manny Machado, Jonathan Schoop and the 2011 Frederick Keys to the Single-A Carolina League championship. Now, after a 52-year career in baseball, Orlando Gomez is retiring. Gomez was named the recipient of the Orioles' Cal Ripken Sr. Player Development Award after leading Frederick to a 80-59 record in 2011. He has worked for the Orioles for 12 years, managing three of the last four seasons as skipper of the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League team. Gomez managed Frederick from 2010-12...

Orioles announce minor league managers and staffs for 2016

Orioles announce minor league managers and staffs for 2016
The Orioles have named their minor league managers and coaching staffs for the 2016 season. Ron Johnson returns for his fifth season as manager at Triple-A Norfolk after guiding the Tides to the International League South Division title and earning Manager of the Year honors in 2015. The 2016 season will be Johnson's 23rd as a minor league manager. He has compiled 1,555 career victories (1,555-1,544 overall) and became the winningest manager in Tides franchise history last season, going...

Mitch Horacek will start Keys' opener, other media day notes from Frederick

Mitch Horacek will start Keys' opener, other media day notes from Frederick
FREDERICK, Md. - Left-hander Mitch Horacek will be on the mound Thursday night when the Single-A Frederick Keys open their Carolina League season against Winston-Salem. First pitch is set for 7 p.m. at Nymeo Field at Harry Grove Stadium. Horacek, the Orioles' ninth-round pick in 2013 out of Dartmouth, went 6-10 with a 3.80 ERA in 137 1/3 innings last season for Single-A Delmarva. He will be followed in the Keys rotation by David Hess, Luis Gonzalez, Jim Miller and Sebastian Vader. Orlando...

A few minor league notes and a look at Chris Davis' opposite-field homers

A few minor league notes and a look at Chris Davis' opposite-field homers
When the Orioles announced their minor league staff assignments this week, it became official that some staff members do return to the organization, but at different affiliates from 2014. Not that this is all that unusual on the farm. It happens pretty much every year. As for the managers, Orlando Gomez moves back to Single-A Frederick after two years as Gulf Coast League skipper. He led Frederick to the 2011 Carolina League championship. That is the last title by any O's affiliate. Luis...

A few notes on the minor league staff announcements (plus prospect notes)

A few notes on the minor league staff announcements (plus prospect notes)
The Orioles made their minor league managing and coaching assignments official yesterday and they sure have a solid list of eight managers, counting four at full-season affiliates, two with short-season clubs and two for their Dominican Summer League teams. The managers at their top three affiliates either already are or could become the winningest managers for those teams by the end of 2015. Ron Johnson, 58, is entering his fourth year as skipper at Triple-A Norfolk. He has a record of an even...

Minor league manager assignments for 2015 and other notes

Minor league manager assignments for 2015 and other notes
All six managers, from the rookie-level Gulf Coast League up through Triple-A Norfolk, will return to manage Orioles affiliates next season. Three will return to their 2014 teams, while three will be with new clubs in 2015. The Orioles have not confirmed this or made any announcements yet about their 2015 minor league staff, but Ron Johnson is expected to return to manage at Triple-A Norfolk, Gary Kendall will return to Double-A Bowie and Ryan Minor is expected to return to Single-A...

The Orioles' Gulf Coast League roster (O's agree with 12th-round pick)

The Orioles' Gulf Coast League roster (O's agree with 12th-round pick)
The Orioles' short-season entry in the Gulf Coast League is opening up a new season today in Florida. Here is the GCL O's opening day roster, with more players to be added from the draft as they sign and report. For the most part, almost every high school player the Orioles drafted will be sent to the GCL. Players from the 2013 draft are listed with the round in which they were selected. Pitchers: Augey Bill (round 39) Garrett Cortright (round 40) Dariel Delgado Dioni Dominguez Eric Green...

Two O's minor league managers react to criticism of the farm system

Two O's minor league managers react to criticism of the farm system
When a team has lost for 14 straight seasons, you can probably put at least some of the blame for that on an underperforming minor league organization. The Orioles' minor leagues have been a lightning rod for fan criticism this year. Some fans seem to feel the O's minors are barren and completely devoid of talent. Others see some players reaching the majors, but not nearly enough, or feel that the ones that reach there are not good enough. Late this past season, I asked two of the Orioles'...

Orlando Gomez on Frederick's Carolina League title, plus Lester notes (updated)

Orlando Gomez on Frederick's Carolina League title, plus Lester notes (updated)
While Tim Bascom and Jonathan Schoop picked up the top Orioles' minor league awards this week, it was great to see Single-A Frederick manager Orlando Gomez win the Cal Ripken Sr. Player Development Award. Gomez has spent seven years in the O's organization and 47 years in pro baseball. Like Ripken, he is just a solid and unassuming baseball guy. He seemed to relate well to the kids on the Frederick team that recently won the Carolina League championship, beating Kinston, three games to one,...