Orioles to keep entire coaching staff in place for 2023 season, add Cody Asche as offensive strategy coach

After the Orioles’ first winning season since 2016, they are keeping their entire coaching staff in place for 2023 and making an addition to the major league brass, as former upper-level minor league hitting coordinator Cody Asche will be an offensive strategy coach, a source told The Baltimore Sun.

The Sun reported in April that manager Brandon Hyde is under contract through at least the 2023 season, earning the right to see a rebuild through fruition. Hyde joined the Orioles in December 2018 and was at the helm for three 100-loss seasons before Baltimore broke out with an 83-79 campaign in 2022.

Asche, a 32-year-old who spent parts of five seasons in the majors, joined the Orioles before the 2022 season to work with minor leaguers at primarily Double-A and Triple-A. Asche worked closely with several of Baltimore’s top prospects last season, including Gunnar Henderson, Jordan Westburg and Kyle Stowers.

Around Hyde remains the coaching staff that helped lead a turnaround on the diamond, including pitching coaches Chris Holt and Darren Holmes and hitting coaches Ryan Fuller and Matt Borgschulte. Bench coach Fredi González, first base coach Anthony Sanders and third base coach Tony Mansolino all retain their positions, as will major league coaches Jose Hernandez and Tim Cossins, the latter of whom is also the team’s catching instructor.

Under Holt, the Orioles’ director of pitching, Baltimore reached new heights on the mound. The Orioles’ team ERA dropped from 5.84 in 2021 to 3.97 in 2022, as several young starters made strong impressions. The difference made the Orioles the most improved staff in 91 years.

Right-hander Dean Kremer led the rotation with a 3.23 ERA in 125 1/3 innings, while right-hander Tyler Wells made a successful transition to a starting role and right-hander Kyle Bradish finished his rookie season with a 3.28 ERA from July through October.

The combination of Fuller and Borgschulte brought the best out of outfielder Anthony Santander, who grasped onto their idea of a “go zone” to hit 33 homers with 89 RBIs. Baltimore’s offense featured several intriguing young pieces such as catcher Adley Rutschman and first baseman Ryan Mountcastle.

MASN.com first reported that Baltimore’s coaching staff would remain in place for 2023.

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from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/eV7y1Go