The Baltimore Orioles and former Cleveland Guardians associate manager Craig Albernaz have come to an agreement to make Albernaz the next manager of the Orioles. Albernaz joins the team coming off a 75-87 season that saw Baltimore miss the playoffs for the first time since 2022. Albernaz, 42, will get his first taste of managing at the major league level.
Career Path
Craig Albernaz, a Fall River, Massachusetts native, was a catcher in the Tampa Bay Rays minor league system from 2006-2013. Albernaz reached as high as Triple-A Durham and then spent his final season in the Detroit Tigers organization.
After his playing days were over, Albernaz shifted to coaching with Tampa Bay. He served in various coaching positions over five seasons at different levels. Albernaz was named Midwest League Manager of the Year in 2018 as manager of the Single-A affiliate of the Rays, the Bowling Green Hot Rods. The team that season won a Rays affiliate record 90 games and included some future big leaguers.
The San Francisco Giants hired Albernaz in 2020, and he served as their bullpen and catching coach. Following four years in San Francisco, Steven Vogt, his former teammate, hired Albernaz as the Guardians’ bench coach after the Guardians named Vogt as their new manager. Amid interest from other teams like the Chicago White Sox and Miami Marlins, the Guardians quickly promoted Albernaz to associate manager in 2025.
In May of 2025, the Orioles and manager Brandon Hyde parted ways, making way for Tony Mansolino to take the helm. In 2026, Craig Albernaz will take over as the new Orioles manager following a disappointing 75-87 season.
Looking Ahead
The Orioles have yet to release the terms of Albernaz’s contract, though an announcement will likely come soon. With Albernaz’s hiring now complete, the focus for the Orioles turns to assembling his staff. Fans can await the announcement of his new coaching staff in the near future.
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