Rookie Manager, Rookie Players Find Success Together

ABERDEEN -- The Aberdeen IronBirds (21-21) are off to a solid start in 2013 guided by first-time professional manager Matt Merullo.

Merullo has made a very successful transition from a scout to a manager. The team - currently comprised of 15 players acquired in the 2013 draft - has been in every game they've played for the most part. They are also winning the close ones, going 5-3 in one-run games.

It is a trickle-down effect. Merullo credits the scouting department for recognizing and signing good ball players who are selfless and willing to learn. In turn, the players are appreciative of Merullo's laid back, even keel approach to the game.

"You can have a bad day but it's not going to affect your future playing time," first baseman Trey Mancini said. "It's been great so far because everybody can relax. You don't have to press every day to stay in the lineup."

One understated fact about the short-season level of minor league baseball is how fast a team has to come together in the beginning of the season. For Aberdeen this season, not only were the rookie players making their professional debuts, so was Merullo.

"We all kind of had to get to know each other and get comfortable with our surroundings and basically get settled into a routine and get acclimated together," Merullo said of the first few games of the season. "I think that was the biggest thing, just guys getting to know each other and a lot of inexperience in a lot of ways. We all just had to get our feet wet, myself included. We've got Millsy [pitching coach Alan Mills] who really is the only experienced coach. We've got two other guys in [field coach] Paco Figueroa and hitting coach Scotty Beerer, it's their first go-round. A lot of rookies at all levels."

It is a credit to the IronBirds for overcoming an 0-5 start to the season to get themselves in a position where they are competing for a playoff spot. They are in second place in the McNamara Division, just 2.5 games behind the Hudson Valley Renegades and 3.5 behind the Lowell Spinners in the wild card standings.

It is an interesting dynamic with so many players being rookies and Merullo in his first season as a pro manager. If the team was struggling, the lack of experience would be an easy excuse to use. But this team is embracing it and even attributing it to their success.

"I think it works out because everybody is learning as a team," infielder Jeff Kemp said. "We came together pretty quickly and I think that's part of where our success comes from a little bit."

Of course the bigger reason for the team's success is their talent but professional baseball is a daily grind that takes extensive time at the field, honing the skills necessary to be successful. Merullo and his staff deserve a lot of credit for helping the players acclimate themselves and establish the routines that translate to success on the field.