Baltimore, October 27, 2025
News Summary
The Baltimore Orioles are nearing a deal to appoint Craig Albernaz as their new manager. With a background as a former catcher and coaching experience with the Guardians, Albernaz aims to turn around a struggling Orioles team. This significant move follows a disappointing last-place finish in the American League East. Under Albernaz’s guidance, the Guardians saw success in previous seasons, making him a promising choice for the Orioles who are looking to revitalize their roster and contend for the postseason again.
The Baltimore Orioles are nearing a deal to appoint Craig Albernaz as their new manager. This significant development was confirmed by a reliable source and initially reported by ESPN. Albernaz, who is currently 42 years old and will celebrate his 43rd birthday this Thursday, comes to this role after spending the last two seasons with the Cleveland Guardians coaching staff.
Though Albernaz has a limited managerial background, he has gained recognition and popularity as a managerial candidate in recent years. His previous experience includes managing Single-A Hudson Valley in the Tampa Bay Rays’ Minor League system in 2017 and, subsequently, Single-A Bowling Green in 2018. Last offseason, he made it to the finalist stage for managerial positions with both the Chicago White Sox and Miami Marlins, but opted to remain with the Guardians.
During his time with the Guardians, Albernaz had a notable impact on the team’s performance. Under his guidance, the Guardians won the American League Central in both 2023 and 2024. The Guardians concluded the 2024 season with an impressive winning record of 92-69, advancing to the AL Championship Series. In 2025, despite a solid record of 88-74, they were eliminated in the AL Wild Card Series by the Detroit Tigers.
Prior to his coaching career, Albernaz played as a minor league catcher from 2006 to 2014, within the Tampa Bay Rays and Detroit Tigers organizations. He also served as the bullpen and catching coach for the San Francisco Giants from 2020 to 2023, further adding to his coaching credentials.
The Orioles are eager to revitalize a team that recently finished last in the American League East in 2025, with a record of 75-87. Previous manager Brandon Hyde was dismissed in May 2025 after a disappointing start to the season, with Tony Mansolino stepping in as interim manager and finishing with a record of 60-59.
Albernaz’s task will be to turn around the Orioles, who are under pressure to contend for the postseason following two consecutive playoff appearances in 2023 and 2024. His success hinges not only on his coaching strategy but also on leveraging a strong core of young talent, including players like Gunnar Henderson, Adley Rutschman, and Jackson Holliday.
The Orioles are looking for a fresh start as Albernaz will become the second manager appointed by general manager Mike Elias since he took on the role in November 2018. The previous management situation concluded with the firing of Brandon Hyde, who failed to secure a playoff win during his tenure.
The pitching depth of the Orioles remains a concern, although there are promising players returning from injuries. With Albernaz’s expected appointment, the number of managerial openings across Major League Baseball has dropped to five teams, including the Padres, Braves, Rockies, Nationals, and Twins.
Managerial Overview of Craig Albernaz
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Age | 42 (turning 43 on Thursday) |
| Recent Role | Cleveland Guardians Coaching Staff |
| Previous Coaching Experience | Hudson Valley (2017), Bowling Green (2018), Giants Bullpen & Catching Coach (2020-2023) |
| Major Achievements | AL Central Titles (2023, 2024); AL Championship Series (2024) |
| Orioles Previous Season Record | 75-87 (Last in AL East) |
| Current Managerial Openings in MLB | 5 Teams: Padres, Braves, Rockies, Nationals, Twins |
FAQ
Who is Craig Albernaz?
Craig Albernaz is a former minor league catcher turned coach who has recently been appointed as the new manager of the Baltimore Orioles after serving on the coaching staff of the Cleveland Guardians.
What are Albernaz’s coaching credentials?
Albernaz has experience managing Single-A teams in the Rays’ Minor League system and has served as the bullpen and catching coach for the San Francisco Giants before joining the Guardians.
What challenges does Albernaz face as the new manager?
Albernaz will need to turn around a struggling Orioles team that finished last in the AL East in 2025. He inherits a team under pressure to return to postseason contention.
What is the Orioles recent history in the MLB?
The Orioles had back-to-back playoff appearances in 2023 and 2024 but finished last in their division in 2025, leading to managerial changes.
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