Orioles GM Elias answers wide-ranging questions during Shorebirds banquet
SALISBURY, Md. – The Delmarva Shorebirds are coming off a 90-win season that came up just short of a Sally League title, but Orioles general manager Mike Elias believes Shorebirds fans will continue to root on a winning team.
Considering the immense talent, especially on the pitching side, for Aberdeen that will be moving up to the next level in 2020, the thought is that this next group will pick up where the 2019 team left off.
“We view this as a pipeline in terms of we had a great team in Delmarva last year, those guys have graduated. But there’s going to be a group right behind them,” Elias said.
Elias says the Orioles are more focused on individual progression. But Shorebirds general manager Chris Bitters says establishing a winning culture in the low minors can go a long way toward a winning future once these players make it to Camden Yards.
“While this level is not about winning and losing all the time, it’s about developing. I think there’s a collective effort in understanding that winning helps,” Bitters said.
You can’t talk about the Shorebirds this season without mentioning number one overall pick, Adley Rustchman, who is already being compared to Shorebirds greats like Manny Machado and Dylan Bundy. Officials tell 47 ABC that there is roughly a 50-percent chance Rustchman begins 2020 with Delmarva, depending on his performance in spring training.
When asked about their prized prospect, Elias said, “I think the leadership is apparent, and I can’t wait to see a full season from him.”
The Shorebirds will now be managed by Dave Anderson, after replacing Kyle Moore after Moore’s promotion to Frederick.
Anderson was a first-round pick of the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1981, and was a member of their 1988 World Series championship team. Anderson has 26 years of experience as a coach, manager or coordinator.
The club’s leader isn’t the only minor league changes being made in Baltimore’s system.
“In terms of the way our staff is set up, we’re going to have more staff members at each affiliate, we’re going to have five full time staff members at each affiliate and fewer rovers,” Elias said. “And it’s something that we feel like is going to be beneficial towards us. Dave is an infield expert, great baseball guy.”
Elias, a member of the Astros organization previously, was asked about the scandal that has shocked the baseball world.
“We’re going to do the right thing. Do things the right way with the Orioles. I can assure everyone of that. We want to win the right way, and we’re making sure that that’s the way we’re building our organization.
