Aberdeen manager Kevin Bradshaw on the 2017 IronBirds

ABERDEEN, Md. - While Orioles All-Star closer Zach Britton is expected to throw the first pitch and inning of their season tonight, after that the short-season Single-A Aberdeen IronBirds will try to win without major league help.

A veteran of many seasons as a manger in the Detroit Tigers organization, Kevin Bradshaw is back for his second season as manager at Aberdeen. After a rainout last night, the IronBirds open their New York-Penn League season tonight at Leidos Field at Ripken Stadium against Hudson Valley.

Bradshaw led Aberdeen to a 27-35 record in 2016 after taking over as manager on June 30. His team will eventually feature several 2017 draft picks after they get signed, but for now his roster features 15 players from the 2016 draft.

The team came north recently after they played games in extended spring training under the hot Florida sun.

"Down at extended we saw some good pitching," Bradshaw said. "The pitchers did outstanding. Didn't walk guys and threw strikes and got their secondary stuff over. That was our starters but some of our relievers struggled at times.

"We were lucky enough to have Jesus Montero in extended spring. And he kind of took some of the young, especially Latin hitters, under his wing. I think it really helped (Carlos) Diaz. He's hitting the ball hard to all fields. Hit a long home run on one of our last days down in extended."

Aberdeen's season opening rotation:
* RHP Nick Gruener - 22nd round pick in 2016
* LHP Nick Vespi - 18th round pick in 2015
* RHP Brenan Hanifee - 4th round pick in 2016
* RHP Tobias Myers - 6th round pick in 2016
* RHP Hector Guance - free agent signed in June 2015

Bradshaw is a veteran of managing at this level and is very aware the young players on his roster will make their share of mistakes. That just provides him teaching opportunities.

"The last three days we've had meetings. We know the players will make some mistakes and it is an opportunity for us to teach. And that is pitch-to-pitch and inning-for-inning. If you see us grab someone when they come off the field that is probably what we are doing. It is definitely a teaching level," he said.

Aberdeen's roster includes Ryan Ripken, the son of the IronBirds owner and Baseball Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr.

"What a great individual," Bradshaw said. "He hit the ball hard at extended and played a solid first base. I think he had a 12-game hitting streak at one point. But he's been a class act, on and off the field."

Ripken is expected to play some at first base, left field and DH. While Bradshaw will liberally use his roster to get looks at all of his players, Tristan Graham may be mostly a regular in right field, Jaylen Ferguson in left field and Seamus Curran at first base.

Bradshaw is joined by veteran field coach Ramon Sambo. Joining the organization as a first-year pitching coach is former Oriole Mark Hendrickson. Also, brand new to the Orioles as of about a week ago is IronBirds hitting coach Tim Raines Jr.

The players on the Aberdeen roster are listed here.

Check back here later tonight for coverage on Britton's rehab appearance at Ripken Stadium.

Aberdeen's opening night lineup

CF Jose Paez
2B Branden Becker
3B Chris Johnson
DH Ryan Ripken
RF Tristan Graham
1B Carlos Diaz
LF Jaylen Ferguson
C Jean Carrillo
SS Irving Ortega