The Orioles’ international program took another step forward today with the announcement that the club’s new complex in the Dominican Republic will officially open Tuesday. The Orioles will host an opening ceremony for the new state-of-the-art training academy in Guerra, Dominican Republic, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. AST.
Several O’s dignitaries and current and former players will be in attendance, as well as executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias and the club’s vice president of exploration and operations, Koby Perez.
Elias said, “This grand opening marks another important milestone in the search and progression of players who will contribute to our minor league lineup and sustain winning baseball in Baltimore for years to come. “
The 22. 5-acre complex houses the Orioles’ regional facilities for player progression operations in the Caribbean, Central and South America, and features 3 full fields, an agility sports field, batting and pitching tunnels, administrative buildings, dormitories and educational centers. mod cons. The complex will have space for over one hundred players, coaches and staff, will provide dorm-style rooms and entertainment spaces and will feature 3 study rooms and a computer lab, providing on-site learning and a player education plan, as well as a restaurant. room that will supply nutritious food daily.
“This academy is the culmination of years of hard work by so many people, and I am grateful to everyone who made this a reality,” said Elias. “For the last several years, one of the main goals of our partnership group and front office has been to excel in Latin America, and I am very pleased by what we as an organization, led by Koby Perez, have accomplished in this sector.”
Perez added, “I am incredibly proud to say that the Baltimore Orioles now have one of the most productive educational facilities in the Dominican Republic. The effect on this facility will have the long-term good luck of the Orioles and the youngsters. The players we recruit and point out is immeasurable. Having amenities will not only allow us to continue to attract the most productive foreign skills to the organization, but it will also allow us to teach them valuable life skills outside the field that will serve them well in the future. rest of their lives. “
Among those attending next week are 2023 American League reliever Mariano Rivera Felix Bautista and current Oriole infielder Jorge Mateo. O’s expected alumni include Baseball Hall of Famer Vladimir Guerrero Sr. , Hanser Alberto, Daniel Cabrera, Nelson Cruz, Radhames Liz. , Melvin Mora and Miguel Tejeda, as well as minor leaguers from O, many of whom began their careers betting on similar courses and academies in the area.
The event is expected to be attended by several dignitaries, the President of the Dominican Republic, Luis Abinader, the Vice Minister of Sports of the Dominican Republic, Elvis Duarte, and the Commissioner of Baseball of the Dominican Republic, Junior Noboa.
The assignment was made by landowner and developer Brian Mejia of Brison SRL. The Orioles were represented by prominent Dominican Academy architect Jose Mella, considered one of the leading architects of educational establishments in the Dominican Republic, having designed around some of the existing academies in the Dominican Republic.
The Orioles opened the new academy in the fall of 2021.
Since Elias was hired in November 2018, the Orioles have signed two of their biggest foreign signing figures in 2019-20 and 2022-23. A new transfer pipeline will be announced on Monday. The O’s also added bonuses of $1 million or more to their first four players signed around the world.
Now they’re seeing players from their overseas program through the ranks of their farm and are starting to gain some popularity with prospects. Wide receiver Samuel Basallo, signed for $1. 3 million in 2021, is now the club’s highest-rated foreign prospect and is ranked in the rankings. Top 100 across Baseball America and MLBPipeline. com.
Basallo is ranked No. 2 through Baseball America and No. 5 through MLB Pipeline in rankings that are expected to be updated in the coming weeks. In addition, five other foreign players are among the 30 most sensitive players in the O through MLB. Pipeline with outfielder Braylin Tavera (No. 16 O), infielder Leandro Arias (No. 18 O), infielder Frederick Bencosme (No. 23 O), infielder Luis Almeyda. (No. 25 O’s) and left-handed pitcher Luis De Leon (No. 26 O).
The Orioles will host a clinic for youth from communities across the Dominican Republic at the academy on Wednesday, Jan. 17, from 10 a. m. to 10 a. m. 1 p. m. The organization and Orioles Advocates will supply 150 baseball gloves to clinic participants, accumulated in campaigns in Baltimore the 2023 season. Or players, coaches, and alumni will teach participants from across the Dominican Republic a variety of baseball techniques throughout the day.
I recently wrote articles about the club’s program that gained additional popularity as a prospect here and the upcoming signing chic here.