Below, we offer a timeline of how the 2024 Baltimore Orioles—one of baseball’s most intriguing clubs this season—were built over the past several years.
Beasts Of The East
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2018
Oct. 3: Orioles fire President of Baseball Operations Dan Duquette after a 115-loss year. Baltimore made three appearances in the postseason under his leadership, but the trades that summer of Mannado Machado Zack Britton Kevin Gausman Jonathan Schoop signaled an upcoming rebuild.
Nov. 16: Mike Elias is now the Orioles’ executive vice president and general manager. He was previously a scouting manager and assistant general manager for the Astros. Elias inherits a handful of key players such as Austin Hays Jr., John Means II, Cedric Müllerins II, Anthony Santander along with prospects Grayson Rodriguez Ryan Mountcastle, and DL Hall.
Dec. 14: Elias hires Cubs’ bench coach Brandon Hyde for the position of manager. Hyde loses every game for four years before finally breaking through to become the Baseball America MLB Manager Of The Year in 2022.
2019
June 3: Adley Rutschman of Oregon State is selected as the 1 overall pick by Elias in his first draft for the Orioles. The Orioles’ first pick is Oregon State catcher Adley Rutschman. Gunnar Henderson, a prep shortstop from Alabama, is the next player to be selected in the second round.
Dec. 4: Elias gives Dylan Bundy, a low-level pitcher, in exchange for the Angels’ four lower-level pitchers. One of those pitchers is Kyle Bradish, who develops into the 2023 club’s ace.
2020
June 10: Heston Westburg and Heston Kjerstad are the two top picks of the Orioles. Baltimore will get both in 2023. Coby mayo, a fourth-round draftee from high school, will be joining them in 2019.
2021
Jan. 15: The Orioles have signed 16-year old Dominican catcher Samuel Basallo. This signals a renewed commitment to Latin America following decades of neglect. He quickly blossoms into a top prospect.
2022
Jan. 12: Orioles announced they would move the wall of the left field at Camden Yards back as much as 30 feet, in some spots. They will also raise the height to five feet. The new configuration helps neutralize the park’s home run factor.
Jan. 18: Rutschman is the top prospect in baseball. 1 prospect in baseball.
July 17th: Jackson Holliday is the Orioles pick for High School Player of Year. 1 overall.
Aug. 1: Elias, whose Orioles are on the edge of the AL Wild Card race, sells instead of buying at the deadline. He swaps Trey Mancini for Jorge Lopez and a slew of young pitchers. Among them are 2023 reliever Yennier cano, Chayce McDermott (prospect), Cade Povich (prospect) and Seth Johnson.
Sept. 28: Henderson is named Minor League Player of Year.
2023
Jan. 17: Henderson is ranked as the No.1 prospect in baseball. 1 prospect in baseball.
Sept. 25: Holliday is named Minor League Player of Year.
Oct. 1: Orioles finish a season with 101 wins as the No. The Orioles finish the season with 101 wins and are ranked No. Rangers sweep division series.
Nov. 13: Henderson’s AL Rookie-of-the Year award nets the Orioles 2024 Prospect Promotion Incentive Draft Pick.
2024
Jan. 18: Holliday is the No. 1 prospect in baseball, giving the Orioles an unprecedented three No. Holliday is the No. 1’s in a row.
Feb. 1: Orioles send prospects to acquire ace Corbin Burnes DL Hall Joey Ortiz and a 2024 first-round selection supplemental to the Brewers.
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