Orioles announce Baseball Operations Department staff changes

The Orioles have made the following Baseball Operations Department staff changes: * Matt Blood has been named Director of Player Development. He will spearhead staff recruitment, technology programs, and player development strategies throughout the minor leagues. Blood previously served as the Director of Baseball Innovation for the Texas Rangers. Kent Qualls will continue as Director of Minor League Operations. He will focus on roster management, facility operations, and contract negotiations. * Kevin Buck has been named Director of Baseball Administration. He will oversee Major League team operations, transactions, budgets, and rules compliance. Buck previously served as the Director of Team Travel for the Orioles. * Mike Snyder has been named Director of Pro Scouting. He will be responsible for leading and organizing the evaluation of professional players across all levels. Snyder previously served as the Director of Pacific Rim Operations and Baseball Development for the Orioles. * Brad Ciolek has been promoted to Supervisor, Domestic Scouting Operations. Ciolek will continue his duties of managing day-to-day operations of the domestic scouting staff and will coordinate all preparation efforts for the amateur draft. * Di Zou has been promoted to Manager, Baseball Systems. He will continue to assume a growing role in building out the Orioles digital workspaces and analytics capabilities. * Hendrik Herz and Chad Tatum have been promoted to Scouting Analysts. In these newly-created roles, Herz and Tatum will evaluate amateur players for the draft using video, data, and in-person evaluations. "We are pleased to announce these moves as we continue to organize and construct our new front office," said Mike Elias, Orioles Executive Vice President and General Manager. "Matt has an unrivaled network when it comes to identifying up-and-coming coaching talent, and his knowledge of the latest trends in the player development sphere will help to keep us on the forefront of this critical area. In giving new opportunities to our staff members, we recognize their ability to help us continue to build the base of young talent in this organization." "I anticipate many more hires and additions to our baseball operations department as we proceed into the offseason," concluded Elias.