Preston Palmeiro at bat for the Shorebirds in the 2017 season (Photo: Delmarva Shorebirds)

BALTIMORE – The Delmarva Shorebirds, the Class-A Baltimore Orioles affiliate, along with the Baltimore Orioles announced the 2018 Delmarva Shorebirds coaching staff.

The Shorebirds will be lead by new manager Buck Britton in 2018, as it was previously announced at the Shorebirds’ hot stove banquet in Jan.

Britton was Delmarva’s hitting coach in 2017 and was a 35 round pick by the Orioles in 2008. Britton also played in the Dodgers’ and Twins’ minor league systems and is the older brother of Zach Britton, Orioles closer and former Shorebird.

Joining Britton on the staff is Pitching Coach Justin Lord. This is Lord’s second year as pitching coach and third overall for the Shorebirds, previously coaching in 2013. Lord has worked as pitching coach for the Orioles organization for six seasons, coaching with Aberdeen from 2014-16.

Bobby Rose will join the staff as hitting coach in his first season with the Orioles organization. Rose worked with the Rangers organization for the past five seasons as a hitting instructor with Short-Season A Spokane, Class-A Hickory and Class A-Advanced High Desert and Down East.

Athletic Trainer Adrian Gonzalez will begin his first season with Delmarva after working the same position for Aberdeen last season and the GCL in 2015-16.

“We are excited to welcome this year’s coaching staff that includes some new and familiar faces,” said Shorebirds General Manager, Chris Bitters. “We look forward to this staff being able to lead the Shorebirds to a successful 2018 season on the field.”

Shorebirds former Manager Ryan Minor will return as manager of Class A-Advanced Frederick, after previously serving the same post in 2013.

The Shorebirds open their season at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium against the Asheville Tourists at 7:05 p.m. on Thursday, April 5.