Orioles make statement on postseason collapse with coaching staff firings

After an early postseason exit for the second season in a row, Orioles fans had started clamoring for changes. The O's offense slipped in the second half of 2024, in part due to injuries that kept key players out for an extended period. But injuries weren't the only reason the offense stagnated.

Gunnar Henderson was on a borderline historic pace in the first half before slowing down after the All Star break. Adley Rutschman's season splits were brutal, as he essentially became a zero in the lineup after being hit by a pitch behind the plate on June 27.

The group of Colton Cowser, Anthony Santander, and Cedric Mullins did their best to keep the team afloat but ultimately the injuries were too much to overcome and the O's fell short of their second straight division title. This year's quick playoff exit is as much the result of a tremendous Royals' pitching staff as it is the result of the Orioles' hitters going quiet for two games.

Orioles part ways with three coaches after postseason collapse

But despite their success over the past two years, the Orioles have decided to make a number of changes to the major league coaching staff ahead of an important 2025 season. Bench coach Fredi Gonzalez, co-hitting coach Ryan Fuller, and major league coach Jose Hernandez have all been let go and won't be returning to Baltimore next spring.

Gonzalez was well liked by many and had been with the Orioles for the past five seasons. Fuller had been with the organization since 2021, and with the Orioles major league staff since 2022. Hernandez had been with the organization for 15 years, the past four of which as a major league coach.

For now, the rest of the Orioles' coaching staff remains intact. Brandon Hyde will return to manage the O's for his seventh season and expectations will be high, as fans have seen what this team is capable of.

Baltimore has been one of the best teams in the majors over the past two seasons but have nothing to show for it in terms of postseason success. While fans shouldn't judge a team's success solely based on their postseason performance, it's reasonable to ask for more at this stage in the process.