Get to Know the O's
PLAYERS
Keegan Akin, #45 – LHP
Keegan Akin entered his fifth Major League season, all with the Orioles. The 2018 Jim Palmer Minor League Pitcher of the Year made his third consecutive Opening Day roster. He ended the 2023 season on the 60-day IL (back).
As part of a fantasy football punishment, he and Ryan Mountcastle served as the bat boys for one of the Orioles Spring Training games in 2023.
Mike Baumann, #53 – RHP
Mike Baumann began his eighth season in the Baltimore Orioles organization when he was named to his third Opening Day roster. Last year, he became the first reliever in O’s history (since 1954) to win each of his first nine relief decisions to begin a season. He also threw two pitches at 99.3 mph on May 24 and 25 at New York-AL, the fastest of his career, per Statcast.
On April 8, 2016, in a game between Jacksonville University and the University of North Florida, Mike Baumann and his current teammate, Bryan Baker, were the two starting pitchers. Both were the pitchers of record with Baker receiving the win, while Baumann was handed the loss.
Corbin Burnes, #39 – RHP
Corbin Burnes began his first season with the Orioles organization when he made his third consecutive Opening Day start. He was acquired in a trade with Milwaukee on February 1. Last year, Burnes notched 200+ strikeouts for his third consecutive season. Only three Orioles pitchers have recorded 200+ strikeouts in a single season: Erik Bedard (2007), Mike Mussina (1996, 1997, 2000), and Dave McNally (1968). Burnes was named to his third All-Star Game roster in 2023. He was ranked 29th in MLB Network’s Top 100 Right Now series.
The year his younger brother made the Cal Ripken World Series, a Babe Ruth League international tournament for players ages 11 and 12, Burnes tagged along as an assistant coach. Cal Ripken, Jr. spoke to each team that made it to the World Series and told an undersized but eager 14-year-old Corbin Burnes, “When I was a kid, I might have just snuck onto this team, but I would have never seen the field. You guys are so much better than I was at your age. So don’t hold back. If you think you’ve got it, go fight for it.”
Yennier Cano, #78 – RHP
Yennier Cano made his first Opening Day roster. His 72 appearances last season were the most by a rookie reliever in franchise history (since 1954). He retired the first 24 batters he faced to start the season, tying the club record set by Fred Holdsworth in 1976, and was named to his first career All-Star Game.
Growing up in Cuba, he considered quitting baseball at the age of 15. He applied to the Cuban government for permission to leave the country to play baseball professionally. In turn, he was banned from the sport for a year – Cano couldn’t step foot on a baseball field. Following his sanction, he moved to Argentina to continue his baseball career.
Danny Coulombe, #54 – LHP
Danny Coulombe entered his second season with the Baltimore Orioles after being acquired from the Twins on March 27, 2023. Last season, his 30.4 hard-hit rate ranked in the top five percent of MLB, while his 3.04 ERA ranked in the top nine percent of MLB, per Statcast. He inherited 49 runners, tied for the sixth-most in MLB.
Ever since his son, Theo, was diagnosed with autism, Coloumbe and his wife, Lauren, have worked to raise awareness for neurological diversity in their community through organizations like Pathfinders for Autism and the Howard County Autism Society. The O’s clinched the AL East division title last year on Theo’s birthday, September 28.
Colton Cowser, #17 – OF
Colton Cowser made his first appearance on the Major League Opening Day roster. Last season, his contract was selected from Triple-A Norfolk on July 5, and he made his MLB debut later that night at New York-AL. Cowser collected his first Major League hit and RBI on a single in the sixth inning. On July 24 at Philadelphia, he hit a game-winning RBI double in the ninth inning off his current teammate, Craig Kimbrel.
Cowser is credited with coordinating the viral tracksuit arrival photo that featured Cowser, Ryan Mountcastle, Adley Rutschman, and Gunnar Henderson in colorful jumpsuits and futuristic shades.
Austin Hays, #21 – OF
Austin Hays appeared on his fifth consecutive Opening Day roster, beginning his ninth season in the Orioles organization. Last year, Hays was selected to his first career All-Star Game and made the start in center field for the AL, batting seventh. He became the first Oriole to start a Midsummer Classic since Cedric Mullins in 2021.
Hays changed his number from No. 18 to No. 21 following Manager Brandon Hyde's hiring in 2019. He is the first player to wear No. 21 since former Oriole Nick Markakis.
Jonathan Heasley, #52 – RHP
Jonathan Heasley began his first season in the Orioles organization after being acquired from the Royals in December. Last year, he opened the season with Triple-A Omaha, but he also split time with Kansas City, appearing in 12 games for the big-league club.
While with the Royals, Heasley was involved with the non-profit Keeper of the Game. The organization provides unique baseball experiences to children and young adults with disabilities, helping to grow their love for the game. Current Oriole Ryan O’Hearn was also involved with the foundation during his time with the Royals.
Gunnar Henderson, #2 – INF
Gunnar Henderson was named to his second Opening Day roster. In 2023, the AL Rookie of the Year set O’s rookie records with 66 extra-base hits, 100 runs, 6.3 bWAR, and a .489 slugging percentage and became the fourth rookie to lead the Orioles in runs, joining Cal Ripken, Jr., Willie Tasby, and Tito Francona. The infielder slashed .255/.325/.489 with 28 home runs and 82 RBI last year in his first full MLB season, earning himself a Silver Slugger Award for the utility position and Most Value Oriole Award honors. Henderson was ranked 34th in MLB Network’s Top 100 Right Now series.
Growing up, Henderson played baseball with Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll. The two were in the same draft class and later shared 2023 Rookie of the Year Award honors, with Henderson becoming the first unanimous winner in Orioles history.
Cole Irvin, #19 – LHP
Cole Irvin was named to his fifth Opening Day roster and second with the Orioles. He did not allow more than one earned run in five straight starts last year from June 26 to August 19, the longest such streak of his career.
Irvin loves animals and is an advocate for supporting local shelters through donating, fostering, and volunteering. He and his wife, Kristen, have five rescue Yorkies – Rocky, Candy, Sissy, Gracie, and Hank – and two rescue horses – Hope and Chief. The couple hopes to establish a nonprofit for animal rescues one day called “Rocky’s Rescue,” named after their first rescue Yorkie, Rocky.
Tony Kemp, #12 – INF/OF
Tony Kemp’s Opening Day roster appearance marked the start of his ninth season in the major leagues and his first with the Orioles after being signed on March 26. He spent the entire 2023 campaign with the Oakland Athletics, and his 451 games played for the team from 2020 to 2023 are the most by any A’s player during that span.
Kemp was originally drafted by the Astros in 2013, where current Orioles GM Mike Elias was a Scouting Director at the time.
Craig Kimbrel, #46 – RHP
Craig Kimbrel’s Opening Day roster appearance marked his 15th season in the major leagues and his first with the Orioles after being signed last December. He currently ranks eighth in MLB history in saves (417). Last year, Kimbrel served as the Phillies closer, making 71 appearances and recording 23 saves with 94 strikeouts across 69.0 innings.
Kimbrel lives down the street from current teammate James McCann in Tennessee. The two worked out together during the offseason.
Dean Kremer, #64 – RHP
Dean Kremer began his seventh season in the Baltimore Orioles organization when he was named to his fourth Opening Day roster. Kremer pitched for Team Israel in the 2023 World Baseball Classic and made the start in Team Israel’s 3-1 win over Team Nicaragua in Pool Play. He registered a 5-1 record and a 3.09 ERA (28 ER/81.2 IP) in his final 15 starts from July 5 to September 28.
He likes to cook and has an Instagram account dedicated to sharing his kitchen creations. This offseason, he cooked various dishes, ranging from venison burgers to handmade soup dumplings.
Jorge Mateo, #3 – INF/OF
Jorge Mateo was named to his third consecutive Opening Day roster with the Orioles. He recorded his first career inside-the-park home run last season on August 20 at Oakland.
Mateo founded his own program dedicated to making baseball more accessible for young players in the Dominican Republic. The program provides children with baseball equipment, jerseys, nutritious food, and hands-on coaching, including from Mateo himself when he is home during the offseason.
James McCann, #27 – C
James McCann entered his second season with the Baltimore Orioles after being acquired from the New York Mets on December 21, 2022. He entered the 2023 season on the 10-day Injured List with a left oblique strain. On August 5, he finished 3-for-3 with a double, a run, five RBI, a walk, and a steal against the Mets. In doing so, he became one of three players since RBI became official to record five-or-more RBI and reach base safely in every plate appearance in their first game against a former team (Vladimir Guerrero vs. WSH in 2005 and Bobby Bonds vs. LAA in 1978), per ESPN Stats & Info.
In 2017, McCann and his wife, Jessica, spent seven weeks in the NICU with their prematurely born twin boys, Christian and Kane. Ever since, the couple donates money and time to local NICUs every year around the holidays and Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. For his charitable efforts with NICUs, McCann was the Mets’ 2022 Roberto Clemente Award nominee.
Ryan Mountcastle, #6 – INF
Ryan Mountcastle appeared on his fourth career Opening Day roster. He tied the Orioles single-game record last year when he drove in nine runs on April 11 vs. Oakland, matching Jim Gentile and Eddie Murray.
Mountcastle and his wife, Taylor, have been together since their sophomore year of high school.
Cedric Mullins, #31 – OF
Cedric Mullins began his tenth season in the Orioles organization when he was named to his sixth consecutive Opening Day roster. He received MLB Network's Electric Play of the Week honors four times last year; his five career awards are the most for any player since it was introduced in 2019.
This offseason, Mullins and his wife, Erika, welcomed their daughter into the world.
Ryan O'Hearn, #32 – INF/OF
Ryan O'Hearn made his first Opening Day roster with the Orioles. On May 20, 2023, O’Hearn drove in four runs as part of a three-hit game against the Blue Jays, highlighted by a game-tying three-run home run off Jordan Romano in the eighth inning. The Orioles went on to win in extra innings, 6-5.
O’Hearn and his wife, Hannah, got married this offseason.
Cionel Pérez, #58 – LHP
Cionel Pérez began his seventh big league season when he was named to his third consecutive Opening Day roster with the Orioles. He worked a career-high 23 straight outings (17.2 IP) without allowing an earned run from July 29 to September 19 last year, the longest such streak by an O’s hurler since Zack Britton (43 G) from May 5 to August 22, 2016.
Pérez enjoys watching soccer. His favorite player is Lionel Messi.
Grayson Rodriguez, #30 – RHP
Grayson Rodriguez was named to his first career Opening Day after making his Major League debut last year. He posted a 2.58 ERA (22 ER/76.2 IP) in his final 13 starts after being recalled on July 17. He also tossed a career-high 8.0 scoreless innings on September 16 vs. Tampa Bay, which tied for the longest outing by an Oriole in 2023.
Rodriguez and his wife, Madison, got married this offseason.
Adley Rutschman, #35 – C
Adley Rutschman began his sixth season in the Baltimore Orioles organization when he was named to his second consecutive Opening Day roster. This offseason, Rutschman was named a 2023 Silver Slugger Award winner, alongside teammate Gunnar Henderson. In 2023, he made his first All-Star Game roster and participated in the Home Run Derby, electing to have his dad pitch to him. Rutschman was ranked 19th in MLB Network’s Top 100 Right Now series.
Rutschman is a big fan of the Netflix series I Think You Should Leave. He will regularly reference quotes from the popular show in conversation.
Anthony Santander, #25 – OF
Anthony Santander entered his eighth season with the Baltimore Orioles. He represented Team Venezuela in the 2023 World Baseball Classic. Last season, he became the first Oriole with 40+ doubles in a season since Manny Machado in 2016. He was ranked 86th in MLB Network’s Top 100 Right Now series.
Watching Two and a Half Men helped Santander expand his English vocabulary.
Dillon Tate, #55 – RHP
Dillon Tate entered his seventh season as a member of the Orioles organization. He returned to the Orioles Opening Day roster after missing the entire 2023 campaign due to injury.
In college, he listened to the same song before every start: “9 Piece” by Rick Ross.
Ramón Urías, #29 – INF
Ramón Urías made his fourth consecutive Opening Day roster, all with the Orioles. On June 21 vs. Tampa Bay, he hit a 109.2 mph home run – the hardest-hit homer of his career according to Statcast.
If he had to choose an actor to play him in a movie about his life, he would pick Adam Sandler.
Jacob Webb, #71 – RHP
Jacob Webb was named to his first Opening Day roster with the Orioles after being claimed off waivers from the Los Angeles Angels on August 7, 2023. He appeared in 25 games and pitched to a 3.27 ERA down the stretch for Baltimore.
Webb enjoys playing Call of Duty and Fortnite.
Tyler Wells, #68 – RHP
Tyler Wells made his fourth career Opening Day roster with the Orioles. After primarily appearing as a starter last season, Wells entered in relief on September 28, earning his only save of the season as the O's clinched the division vs. Boston.
Wells and his wife, Melissa, got married this offseason.
Jordan Westburg, #11 – INF
Jordan Westburg was named to his first career Opening Day roster. After being named the Brooks Robinson Minor League Player of the Year in 2022, he made his MLB debut on June 26, 2023, vs. Cincinnati, batting seventh and playing second base. Westburg went 1-for-4 with a run scored, an RBI, and a walk; he drew a seven-pitch walk in his first plate appearance, and tallied his first hit in the fifth inning, a single off Eduardo Salazar.
Westburg and Mariners pitcher Bryce Miller homered off each other in Little League as kids. They grew up in the same neighborhood and both played for the New Braunfels (TX) High School baseball team in 2017.
COACHES
Brandon Hyde, #18 – Manager
Brandon Hyde entered his 22nd season as a coach or manager in professional baseball and his sixth season as manager of the Orioles. In 2023, he was named AL Manager of the Year after leading the O's to their 10th AL East title. Hyde is the fourth Orioles skipper to win the award, joining Frank Robinson (1989), Davey Johnson (1997), and Buck Showalter (2014).
Hyde and his wife, Lisa, reside in Sarasota, Fla. with their children, Aria, Addison, and Colton. His brother-in-law, Joe Espada, is the current manager of the Houston Astros.
Grant Anders, #92 – Major League Development Coach
Grant Anders entered his fifth season with the Orioles organization and first year as the Orioles Major League Development Coach. He has been the team’s Major League player development analyst from 2022-2023.
Anders enjoys hunting. This offseason, he went on a duck hunting trip in North Dakota.
Cody Asche, #61 – Offensive Strategy Coach
Cody Asche entered his second season as a Major League coach and his third season in the Orioles organization. He spent parts of five seasons in the Major Leagues with the Philadelphia Phillies (2013-16) and Chicago White Sox (2017).
When Asche played in the majors, his go-to pregame meal was a peanut butter, banana, and honey sandwich on wheat bread.
Matt Borgschulte, #62 – Co-Hitting Coach
Matt Borgschulte entered his third season as a Major League coach and third season as the Orioles Co-Hitting Coach. He previously spent four years in the Minnesota Twins' organization as a minor league hitting coach, most recently with the Triple-A St. Paul Saints.
The Missouri native played collegiately at Western Kentucky University and Drury University (MO). He was named an All-American as a senior at Drury in 2013, the first All-American in program history.
Tim Cossins, #70 – Major League Field Coordinator/Catching Instructor
Tim Cossins entered his sixth season as a Major League coach and sixth season as the Orioles Major League Field Coordinator/Catching Instructor. This marks his 22nd season as a manager, coach, or Major League bullpen catcher.
While in college, Cossins and O's manager Brandon Hyde hosted baseball camps and clinics. One of the camps held north of Santa Rosa featured a group of cows that refused to leave the field, leaving Cossins and Hyde to conduct the camp around the herd.
Drew French, #75 – Pitching Coach
Drew French joined the Orioles after spending the last three seasons with the Atlanta Braves as their bullpen coach. He won a World Series championship during his first year on the staff with the Braves in 2021.
French played collegiately for Concordia University Texas. Before coaching in professional baseball, he spent nine seasons in similar roles with four different universities.
Ryan Fuller, #72 - Co-Hitting Coach
Ryan Fuller entered his third season as a Major League coach and second season as the Orioles Co-Hitting Coach. Before joining the Orioles, he was a Hitting Instructor at Power in Training (The PIT) in Niantic, Conn.
Fuller enjoys New Haven-style pizza and exploring new coffee shops.
Fredi González, #57 – Bench Coach
Fredi González entered his third season as the Orioles Bench Coach and his fifth season in the organization. The 2024 campaign marks his 25th season as a Major League coach or manager. The Cuba native was originally selected in the 16th round of the 1982 First-Year Player Draft by the New York Yankees.
González believes Opening Day should be made a national holiday.
José Hernández, #59 – Major League Coach
José Hernández entered his fourth season as the Orioles Major League Coach. It is his 15th season in the Orioles organization. Over his 15-year career from 1991-2006, Hernández played in 1,587 Major League games and hit 168 home runs, the 17th-most in Major League history by a Puerto Rican-born player.
Hernández’s father-in-law is former GCL Orioles manager Orlando Gómez.
Ryan Klimek, #89 – Pitching Strategy Coach
Ryan Klimek entered his second full season as a Major League Coach and second full season as the Orioles Pitching Strategy Coach. It is his eighth season in the Orioles organization. In 2022, he helped oversee a pitching staff that improved its ERA from an MLB-worst 5.84 in 2021 to 3.97, good for 17th in MLB and the second-best year-over-year improvement in MLB history.
Klimek, a Rochester, N.Y. native, is a huge Buffalo Bills fan.
Tony Mansolino, #36 – Third Base Coach
Tony Mansolino entered his fourth season as a Major League coach and fourth as the Orioles Third Base Coach. He joined the club prior to the 2021 season after spending 10 years in the Cleveland organization. Mansolino played professionally for six seasons as an infielder from 2005-10. He finished his professional career with a minor league average of .231 with 19 home runs and 173 RBI in 457 games.
Mansolino wrote a children's book during his 2007 season with the Lynchburg Hillcats (Pirates), titled “Dreams Will Come, Dreams Will Go.”
Mitch Plassmeyer, #77 – Assistant Pitching Coach
Mitch Plassmeyer entered his first season as a Major League coach and second season with the Orioles. After serving as the organization’s minor league pitching coordinator from 2022-2023, Plassmeyer was named Assistant Pitching Coach in January 2024.
Plassmeyer comes from a baseball family. His father, Marty, played baseball at Meramec C.C. (MO) and Nicholls State (LA), while his brother, Michael, pitched at the University of Missouri and currently plays in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization.
Anthony Sanders, #9 – First Base Coach
Anthony Sanders entered his fifth season as a Major League coach and fifth season as the Orioles First Base Coach. His Baltimore hiring marked his first coaching role in the majors.
Sanders won a gold medal with Team USA in the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia.
Ben Carhart, #88 – Bullpen Catcher
Ben Carhart entered his fourth season as the Orioles Bullpen Catcher. Prior to joining the Orioles, he spent the 2018 and 2019 seasons as an Assistant Coach with the Cubs Double-A affiliate in Tennessee. Carhart was selected in the 35th round of the 2012 First-Year Player Draft by the Chicago Cubs out of Stetson University (FL).
While Carhart was a player in the Cubs’ system, Tim Cossins served as the team’s Minor League Field/Catching Coordinator. Carhart now shares a role on the same coaching staff as Cossins.
Joel "Yogi" Polanco, #93 – Bullpen Catcher
Joel Polanco entered his sixth season as the Orioles Bullpen Catcher.
Polanco was signed by the Orioles as an undrafted free agent on February 14, 2006. He appeared in 185 career minor league games for the Orioles, reaching Double-A Bowie in 2011.
Rubén Francisca, #86 – Batting Practice Pitcher
Rubén Francisca entered his second season as the Orioles Batting Practice Pitcher. He served as a Development Coach with the DSL Orioles from 2008-2019 before joining the O's in Baltimore last year.
Francisca was signed as a teenager out of the Dominican Republic by the Orioles in 1998.