The Baltimore Orioles have officially opened a brand-new $23 million player development complex at their spring training home in Sarasota, marking a major investment in the team’s future—and in the Suncoast community.

Located next to Ed Smith Stadium at 1090 N. Euclid Ave., just north of downtown Sarasota, the 45,000-square-foot complex will serve as a year-round training hub for Orioles Major League and Minor League players, as well as for tournament baseball events.

“This has been a dream for us for a few years,” said Mike Elias, Orioles president of baseball operations, during the ribbon-cutting ceremony. “It’s a huge advantage for us as we train and try to get our players better.”

Cutting-Edge Training for the Next Generation

The new facility features:

A high-tech pitching lab

Indoor batting cages

Player lounge and recovery areas

Classroom and meeting spaces

Outdoor agility training field

Advanced camera systems tracking ball speed, spin rate, and performance metrics

Weatherproof indoor training space for year-round development

The complex broke ground shortly after the 2025 spring training season and was completed in under a year—an impressive turnaround praised by Sarasota County leaders.

“It is very impressive that they accomplished it in less than one year,” said Sarasota County Commission Chair Ron Cutsinger at the event.

Designed by Lakewood Ranch-based Fawley Bryant Architecture and constructed by Tandem Construction, the facility reflects the Orioles’ commitment not only to competitive excellence but also to their long-term relationship with Sarasota.

A Commitment to Sarasota and Player Development

Catie Griggs, Orioles president of business operations, emphasized the broader significance of the project.

“Investing in this complex is symbolic of our commitment—not only to Major League and Minor League baseball—but also to tournament baseball and the community.”

While the Orioles covered the majority of the $23 million cost, Sarasota County contributed nearly $1.77 million toward the project. The county has owned Ed Smith Stadium since purchasing it from the City of Sarasota in 2009. The Orioles have called it their spring training home since 2010.

Over the past decade and a half, the Orioles’ presence has become an economic and cultural boost for Sarasota, drawing thousands of fans each spring and reinforcing the region’s identity as a premier baseball destination.

Spring Training 2026: What Fans Need to Know

The Orioles opened the new complex just ahead of their spring training opener, scheduled for 1:05 p.m. on Feb. 20 against the New York Yankees at Ed Smith Stadium.

With a state-of-the-art training complex now in place, the Orioles are positioning themselves for continued success both on and off the field. The facility will support player development at every level—from rookies and prospects to established Major League stars—giving the organization a competitive edge in analytics, conditioning, and skill refinement.

For Orioles fans on Florida’s Suncoast and beyond, this new complex is more than bricks and mortar. It’s a statement: the Orioles are investing in the future, and Sarasota remains at the heart of that vision.

For more information on spring training schedules, tickets, and team updates, visit the official Baltimore Orioles website:👉 https://www.mlb.com/orioles

As Sarasota continues to grow as a sports and tourism destination, this $23 million addition ensures that baseball—and the Orioles—remain an integral part of the region’s story. ⚾