The Orioles had a conference call this morning with manager Buck Showalter and his new coaching staff. Here are some comments from that call, which did not include hitting coach Jim Presley and first base coach Wayne Kirby as they were unavailable:

Manager Buck Showalter
On the time the hiring process took: “I think process is a good word. It’s kind of like when we came in in August. I didn’t come in with any preconceived notions. I think it was very obvious the coaching staff that we had were good people too because they landed on their feet quickly and we knew they would. You can’t cheat the process. It was probably a little longer that I had hoped or thought. But as we got into the process, I knew that with all the managerial changes and all the changes that went on in baseball, there was going to have to be some patience on our part.”

On former hitting coach Terry Crowley moving into different role and Jim Presley becoming hitting coach: “We’re excited about the organization and the moves that were made. We feel like adding Terry to the job description that he’s going to have is exciting to all of his. We thank [owner Peter Angelos] and [President of Baseball Operations Andy MacPhail] for doing that. It worked out real well for us. It makes us better. Terry is an outstanding evaluator of hitting talent. I’ve know Jim for a long time. Every coach is different. You look at what you think your needs are. It’s something that Jim and I have talked about, what we can get better at. But the bottom line is players are going to have to embrace it.”

Pitching coach Mark Connor
On his pitching philosophy: “I don’t have a particular pitching philosophy. I think your pitching philosophy revolves around each individual pitcher, what it’s going to take to make them successful. Basically, you have to take each individual pitcher, their strengths and their weaknesses and work from that standpoint.”

On his impression of the Orioles’ young arms: “I’ve gotten some video sent to me by [video coordinator] Mike Silverman in Baltimore. I’ve gone through just about everybody that he’s sent me. It’s quite impressive. They’re young with the exception of [Jeremy] Guthrie who has been a mainstay there and a workhorse for the Orioles. I had the video sent to [bullpen coach Rick Adair] and he’s going to break them down. I’m going to rely on Rick a lot. We’ve known each other a long time. Two heads are better than one, but from what I’ve seen on film, it’s been impressive. I like [Jake] Arrieta and [Zach] Britton and [Brian] Matusz. I’ve watched quite a bit of these guys. I really look forward to the time we have in spring training. It’s going to go by quickly. We have to get to know these guys. There is going to be a trust thing involved and we have to build that trust. It’s fun to come into this situation knowing that there is some talent there. I think this is an organization now that is hell bent on developing young pitching. We’re at a situation where there is some ability and some talent. It’s just a question of them becoming consistent and knowing that they can do that.”

Bullpen coach Rick Adair
On his impression of Orioles’ young arms: “I echo everything Mark said. I’ve been fortunate over last couple of years to see this group of young pitchers from an opposition situation. Everybody that comes in, it was like, ‘Boy I’d like to have this guy.’ I’m excited about the opportunity. The talent that we have is unlimited.”

Bench coach Willie Randolph
On reuniting with Buck Showalter: “Hopefully, we’re going to have some fun. The only way you’re going to have fun is to win some ballgames. Buck is obviously very prepared. He’s one of the smartest guys I know in the game. The main thing to me is you’re going to have a guy who is going to be professional and organized … Obviously, I’ve very excited to be back with Buck. He gave me my first shot back in [1994] as a very young third base coach. He taught me a lot about the game. He was a young manager at the time also, but he was very polished and to me, wiser beyond his years. It kick-started my career.”

Third base coach John Russell
On working with catcher Matt Wieters: “I’m looking forward to it. All the indications that I’ve gotten is the kid really wants to be a good catcher. That’s important. If they have that, they can feed off that. He’s got to have that passion to be back there and it sounds like Matt really has that. I think it’s just the maturity of going out there day in and day out and handling the situations without looking over your shoulder. I look forward to it. Everything I’ve seen or heard, he’s on the right track. “