After losing 115 games in 2018, the Orioles had unquestionably hit rock bottom.
A 47-win season combined with a dormant international department and a thin farm system left little reason for hope.
But that was a blessing in disguise.
When the Orioles hired Astros assistant GM Mike Elias as head of baseball operations in November 2018, he was freed from any preconceived notions, entrenched power bases or sacred cows. The Orioles were going to do things drastically differently.
They had to.
"(Owner) John Angelos was very consistent with me (throughout) the hiring process," Elias said. "He said, 'We're gonna let you go to town here and change our organization. We need it.'"
Five seasons later, the turnaround arrived ahead of schedule. The Orioles improved by 49 wins from 2021 to 2023. Since integration, only one other team had ever improved by 40 games in a two-season span. That team was the 1963 Phillies.
"I get miffed when people throw the 'tanking' word around at us, because both of these (rebuilds) that I've been involved with, we came in when the team was already really bottomed out," Elias said of his time with the Astros and now Orioles.
"We were just trying to make things better as quickly and as intensely as possible. Both times the team got back to the playoffs a little quicker than anyone prognosticated."
The Orioles won 101 games last season and claimed the American League East division title and No. 1 seed in the AL playoffs. But the best is yet to come.
The Orioles might not win 100 games in 2024, but they should be a more talented and well-rounded team. That's because their largest wave of young talent is still cresting
This story is from the March/April 2024 edition of Baseball America.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the March/April 2024 edition of Baseball America.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Wood Has Towering Upside- Nationals rookie James Wood also stands 6-foot-7 and also has game-changing power.
Aaron Judge and Oneil Cruz are 6-foot7 sluggers who stand out for their power in this year’s MLB Best Tools voting. Wood spent half of this season with Triple-A Rochester before making his MLB debut on July 1. While he was in the International League, he captured managers’ attention. Wood unanimously won Best Power Prospect and also claimed Most Exciting Player in a survey of league skippers. Wood hit .353/.463/.595 with 10 home runs in 52 games for Rochester. His .242 isolated slugging was the best for a player 21 or younger at Triple-A this season.
ROAD BLOCK?
Scholarship expansion puts mid-majors at a major disadvantage on the road to Omaha
ROYALS REVIVAL
A revamped and rejuvenated farm system has Kansas City ready to rebound
SUMMER STANDOUTS
The top prospects in summer college leagues are poised to impact the 2025 draft
FLORIDA COMPLEX LEAGUE TOP 10
Last year’s Florida Complex League prospect crop has been beset by lengthy injuries to many of its top players, including Yankees pitchers Henry Lalane and Carlos Lagrange, Mets infielder Marco Vargas and Red Sox catcher Johanfran Garcia.
IN WITH THE NEW
The 2024 draft is in the books. The trade deadline is history.
WALCOTT BLASTS OFF
It took some time for Rangers shortstop Sebastian Walcott to find his footing at High-A Hickory.
A RECORD NIGHT FOR COLLEGIANS
Four key takeaways from the 2024 draft
K.C.MASTERPIECE
Shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. wins games for the Royals with his bat, glove, speed and baseball IQ. He might be the most tooled-up player in the game.
HOW THE MAJORS HAVE CHANGED FOR YOUNG PLAYERS
When negotiating the 2022 Collective Bargaining Agreement, the MLB Players Association prioritized the earning power of young major league players, especially young stars.
