A significant realignment in minor league baseball is set to unfold for the Baltimore Orioles organization, as their High-A affiliate prepares for a pivotal city shift in 2026, bringing a familiar name back into prominence and redefining the landscape of Maryland sports.

Attain Sports, the ownership group behind the Frederick Keys Baseball club, recently announced a monumental decision: the Keys will once again assume the role of the Orioles’ High-A affiliate. This move signifies a strategic change from the current arrangement, where the Aberdeen IronBirds serve as the High-A team, and will see the IronBirds transitioning to the Major League Baseball Draft League.

In essence, these two prominent Maryland baseball teams are engaging in a reciprocal exchange of their current affiliations. The Frederick Keys, who presently compete within the Draft League, will rejoin the ranks of High-A Baseball in the South Atlantic League starting in the 2026 season, promising a new era for baseball enthusiasts in the region and strengthening the Minor League Affiliation structure.

This isn’t the first time the Frederick Keys have held this crucial role; they previously operated as the Baltimore Orioles’ High-A affiliate from 1989 to 2000. This impending shift marks a long-awaited return for Frederick to affiliated baseball, reigniting a deep-rooted connection between the club and the broader professional development pathway.

A key component supporting this transition is the ongoing $39 million renovation of Nymeo Field at Harry Grove Stadium in Frederick. This substantial investment is designed to ensure the facility not only meets but exceeds current MLB standards, which are vital for fostering the professional development of aspiring baseball players within the High-A Baseball system.

The extensive upgrades to Nymeo Field are a testament to a robust public-private partnership, collaboratively funded by the city of Frederick, the Maryland Stadium Authority, and Attain Sports. This collaborative effort underscores the community’s commitment to bringing elite High-A Baseball back to their locale and ensuring a state-of-the-art facility.

Frederick, Maryland’s fourth-largest city with a population of approximately 86,000 residents, is strategically located about an hour west of Baltimore, making it a significant market for the return of affiliated baseball. This contrasts sharply with Aberdeen, a community of about 18,000, underscoring the strategic regional importance of this move for Maryland sports.

Mike Elias, the Executive Vice President and General Manager for the Baltimore Orioles, expressed immense enthusiasm for the upcoming change. “We are thrilled that affiliated baseball is returning to Frederick,” Elias stated, highlighting the “strong supporters” the Frederick community and fans have historically been, and eagerly anticipating building upon a remarkable 30-year partnership with the Frederick Keys Baseball club.