The Baltimore Orioles are shaking up their coaching staff. According to Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com, the Orioles will not retain three key coaches from their 2024 staff. Co-hitting coach Ryan Fuller, bench coach Fredi González, and major league coach José Hernández will not return next season. The move signals Baltimore’s commitment to revamping its approach after a disappointing postseason performance, setting the stage for a fresh start under manager Brandon Hyde.
Orioles Part Ways with Three Coaches
Fuller, 34, was an internal promotion for the Orioles. He was hired in 2019 and worked as a minor league hitting coach at Single-A Delmarva. In 2021, he became the Doublw-A Bowie hitting coach and worked as the full-season minor league hitting coordinator. Ahead of the 2022 season, Fuller and Matt Borgschulte were announced as co-hitting coaches, with the latter coming from the Minnesota Twins.
Baltimore’s inconsistent lineup plagued the team throughout the season, particularly in clutch situations. Over August and September, the Orioles struggled to capitalize on scoring opportunities, batting just .238/.308/.395 with runners in scoring position. These offensive struggles were magnified in the postseason, where they were eliminated by the Kansas City Royals in a two-game sweep in the American League Wild Card Series, scoring only one run.
In the case of the Orioles, the departure of these coaches might be an opportunity for fresh perspectives and approaches. However, it’s also important to consider the potential disruption to team dynamics and player relationships.
Main Photo: © Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK
