The Orioles are bringing the band back together in Frederick - and this time, it’s official. The Frederick Keys have returned to the fold as Baltimore’s High-A affiliate, rejoining the South Atlantic League, and they’ve got a familiar face at the helm: Collin Woody has been named manager.
For Orioles fans, this is more than a reshuffling of minor league chairs - it’s a meaningful reconnection with a city that’s long been part of the franchise’s developmental DNA. Frederick last hosted an Orioles affiliate in 2019, and Woody, who played 79 games for the Keys back in 2018, now becomes the first affiliated manager there in nearly seven years.
Woody’s journey through the Orioles’ system has been steady and impressive. After being drafted in the 38th round back in 2016 out of UNC Greensboro, he’s worked his way up the coaching ladder with a clear emphasis on player development.
Over the past two seasons, he managed Class A Delmarva, where he racked up over 100 wins. But what really stood out was his pitching staff - they led the Carolina League in strikeouts per game during the second half of the season, averaging a staggering 11.1 Ks.
That kind of dominance doesn’t happen by accident.
He also spent time as a fundamentals coach in the Florida Complex League in 2022 and 2023 - a role that’s all about building the foundation for young talent. Now, he’s back in Frederick, ready to guide the next wave of Orioles prospects.
“I’m excited to be part of the crew that welcomes the Orioles back to Frederick,” Woody said in a statement. “When I was a player in the system, it was always everyone’s favorite affiliate that they talked about. I’m excited to continue to watch the players grow and develop and I think everyone is just as excited as I am and I’m just the lucky one that gets to be there.”
Joining Woody on the Keys’ staff is hitting coach Jake Ratz, who moves up from the Florida Complex League. Ratz has been climbing the ladder himself, having previously served in the same role in the Dominican Summer League in 2023 and 2024. On the pitching side, Jordie Henry will take over as pitching coach after stints with Double-A Chesapeake last season and Aberdeen the year before.
Zooming out, the Orioles’ player development staff is seeing a number of changes and promotions across all levels of the system - a clear sign of the organization’s continued investment in cultivating homegrown talent.
At the Triple-A level in Norfolk, Tim Federowicz returns as manager. He’ll be joined by Jeff Ware as pitching coach - a familiar name for those who followed the Blue Jays, where he served as bullpen coach from 2023-24.
Rick Strickland takes over as hitting coach after stops with Double-A Tennessee and Triple-A Iowa. Fundamentals coaches Felipe Rojas and Billy Facteau are back, while Mike Montville, Norfolk’s hitting coach the past two seasons, has been promoted to upper-level hitting coordinator.
Former pitching coach Justin Ramsey, who held the role for four seasons, has moved on.
Over in Double-A Chesapeake, Roberto Mercado remains manager, while pitching coach Jeremy Hileman steps in after working in the Arizona Fall League and previously with Aberdeen. Josh Bunselmeyer will handle hitting coach duties, with Ryan Goll and Calvin Christiansen rounding out the fundamentals and development roles.
At Class A Delmarva, Adonis Smith takes over as manager following a year as Aberdeen’s development coach. He’ll work alongside pitching coach Bailey Vuylsteke, who spent last season in the FCL after two years in the DSL, and hitting coach Collin McBride, who brings experience from the Twins and Rangers organizations.
In the Florida Complex League, Christian Frias remains manager, joined by a deep coaching staff that includes pitching coaches Alan Kolb and Tanner Cooper, hitting coaches Zach Cole and Jake Welch, and a full complement of fundamentals and development coaches.
The Dominican Summer League staff also sees some fresh faces - including former Orioles minor leaguers Elio Prado and Noelberth Romero, who return as hitting coach and coach, respectively. Managers Chris Madera and Elbis Morel continue to lead the way, with a full support staff behind them.
On the player development side, Forrest Herrmann has been promoted to director of pitching, while former Oriole Thomas Eshelman takes over as upper-level pitching coordinator. The Orioles also recently brought in Mike Shildt as upper-level coordinator of instruction, and Samuel Vega, who earned the Cal Ripken, Sr. Player Development Award in 2024, has been moved to lower-level coordinator of instruction.
All told, this is a well-structured, robust development apparatus - one that’s clearly focused on continuity, growth, and internal promotions. The return to Frederick is more than symbolic. It’s a sign that the Orioles are doubling down on their grassroots development, recommitting to the places and people that have helped shape the franchise’s future.
And with Collin Woody leading the charge in Frederick - a man who’s worn the uniform, coached the fundamentals, and helped pitchers rack up strikeouts like clockwork - the Keys are in capable hands. The Orioles’ farm system continues to be one of the most closely watched in baseball, and with this leadership group in place, it’s not hard to see why.