With the announcement of DeMarlo Hale as the new Orioles 3rd base coach and Bill Castro as the new Orioles bullpen coach, Buck Showalter’s staff seemed to be complete after yesterday’s announcement of these hirings.

Looking at the published coaching staff (pictured on right), one would think that every position is filled.  Even the bullpen catcher spot, seeing as Rudy Arias will return in 2012.  But one name is still missing from this list on Orioles.com:

Ronnie Deck.

Deck has served as the Orioles main bullpen catcher since the beginning of the 2008 season, when he joined forces with former bullpen catcher and current UCF softball coach Ruben Felix.  A former minor leaguer in the Tampa Bay Rays farm system, I am pleased to announce that Deck will return to the Orioles coaching staff in 2012.

According to the Orioles baseball operations department, “He has re-signed for 2012…He will not be included in a release as it is a support staff position.”

So while amateur scouts and scattered international recruiters are written up about, the Orioles have decided not to make it a priority to announce the return of one of the most hard working employees in the clubhouse.  Deck performs duties beyond just catching in the bullpen, helping hours before the game until the last players leave the clubhouse.