After a five-year hiatus, affiliated baseball is officially back in Frederick - and for Orioles fans, it feels like a homecoming.
The Frederick Keys, once a staple of the Orioles’ farm system from 1989 through 2019, are rejoining the organization as its High-A affiliate. This marks a return to form for a city that’s long been steeped in minor league tradition.
When the minor league system was restructured ahead of the 2021 season, Frederick lost its affiliation and was replaced by the Aberdeen IronBirds. Now, the roles have flipped: Aberdeen heads to the MLB Draft League, and the Keys reclaim their spot in the Orioles’ developmental pipeline.
For Keys general manager Slater Fuchs, the return is more than just a business move - it’s a revival of a community connection.
“Fans are thrilled from what I’ve heard,” Fuchs said. “The draft league was fantastic.
It kept baseball in the town… but people have been waiting for this to happen ever since 2021. Having the Orioles’ brand back really brings a new level here.”
The team will once again call Nymeo Field at Harry Grove Stadium home - only now, fans can expect a significantly upgraded ballpark experience. The concourses have been expanded on both sides, and new hospitality areas have been added along the third base line and right field. Two tiered berms offer additional seating options, and the overall layout is designed to enhance the fan experience from the moment they walk through the gates.
“The biggest thing you notice is that the concourses are double what they used to be,” Fuchs added.
Frederick has always had a passionate fan base, and now that affiliated ball is back, the excitement is palpable. For those who’ve missed watching the next wave of Orioles talent up close - the kind of players who could soon be suiting up at Camden Yards - this return is especially meaningful.
There’s also the possibility that current Orioles players on rehab assignments could make stops in Frederick, which would only add to the buzz.
“Being able to see current Orioles players here brings a lot of excitement to the town,” Fuchs said.
Leading the Keys in 2026 is manager Collin Woody, a familiar face to Frederick fans. Woody played his final season in the Orioles’ system with the Keys back in 2018 under the late Ryan Minor, a Frederick legend in his own right. Woody has spent the last two seasons managing Single-A Delmarva and now returns to a city where his professional roots run deep.
Joining Woody on the staff is pitching coach Jordie Henry, who brings recent experience from Double-A Chesapeake and Aberdeen. Jake Ratz takes over as hitting coach after stints in the Florida Complex League and Dominican Summer League. Chase Sebby will handle fundamentals coaching duties following two seasons at Chesapeake, while Teegan Leader transitions from hitting coach in the FCL to development coach in Frederick.
And yes - for those wondering - the beloved “Shake Your Keys” tradition after the seventh-inning stretch isn’t going anywhere. Neither is the free parking.
“Shake Your Keys is an institution here in Frederick. That is not going anywhere,” Fuchs assured.
Elsewhere in the Orioles’ farm system, continuity and fresh faces define the 2026 coaching landscape.
At Triple-A Norfolk, Tim Federowicz returns for his second season as manager. The Tides have been the Orioles’ top affiliate since 2007, and Federowicz will have some new voices around him this year.
Jeff Ware, a Norfolk native who pitched for the Blue Jays in the mid-90s and served as their bullpen coach in 2023 and 2024, steps in as pitching coach. He replaces Justin Ramsey, who spent four seasons with the Tides and six overall in the Orioles’ system.
Rick Strickland joins as the new hitting coach after his time with the Cubs’ Triple-A Iowa squad. Felipe Rojas Alou Jr., now in his 19th season with the organization, returns as fundamentals coach, while Billy Facteau continues as development coach.
At Double-A Chesapeake, Roberto Mercado is back for his third season leading the Baysox. Mercado previously managed Aberdeen for two years and continues to be a steady hand in the system.
He’s joined by hitting coach Josh Bunselmeyer (third season), development coach Calvin Christiansen (second season), and fundamentals coach Ryan Goll, who managed Aberdeen last year. Jeremy Hileman, last seen guiding pitchers in Aberdeen, steps up as Chesapeake’s new pitching coach.
Single-A Delmarva welcomes a new manager in Adonis Smith, who was Aberdeen’s development coach in 2025. He’s joined by pitching coach Bailey Vuylsteke, who brings experience from the Orioles’ Dominican Summer League, and hitting coach Collin McBride, a new addition to the organization. Aritz Garcia Goñi will handle fundamentals, while Casey Buckley returns as development coach.
The Florida Complex League Orioles will again be managed by Christian Frias, while Chris Madera and Elbis Morel return to lead the Orioles’ two Dominican Summer League squads.
Two familiar names are making the transition from player to coach: Elio Prado and Noelberth Romero, both acquired from the Red Sox in the 2019 trade for Andrew Cashner, are stepping into developmental roles. Prado will serve as a hitting coach.
In the front office, Forrest Herrmann has been promoted to director of pitching. Mike Shildt, whose hiring was previously reported, joins the organization as upper-level coordinator of instruction. Samuel Vega will oversee instruction at the lower levels.
Mike Montville, who served as Norfolk’s hitting coach last season, is now the upper-level hitting coordinator. Former Orioles pitcher Thomas Eshelman, who pitched for the big league club from 2019 to 2021, takes over as the upper-level pitching coordinator.
From top to bottom, the Orioles’ minor league system is shaping up with a mix of experienced leaders and fresh energy. But for Frederick, this season is about more than just baseball - it’s about bringing back a piece of the city’s identity. And with affiliated ball back at Nymeo Field, the Keys are ready to turn the page and write the next chapter in their storied connection with the Orioles.