The Baltimore Orioles have announced the appointment of Craig Albernaz as their new manager, signaling a fresh chapter for the team starting in 2026. Albernaz, a native of Fall River, Massachusetts, and a graduate of Somerset Berkley Regional High School, brings with him a wealth of experience in professional baseball.
Before taking the helm at Baltimore, Albernaz spent the last two seasons with the Cleveland Guardians as their bench coach and associate manager. His promotion comes after the Orioles decided to part ways with Brandon Hyde in May, leading the team to a disappointing 75-87 finish last season, placing them last in the American League East.
“We are elated to welcome Craig Albernaz as the next manager of the Orioles and our leader on the field,” stated Mike Elias, the Orioles president of baseball operations. He expressed confidence in Albernaz’s capabilities, highlighting his impressive career across various successful teams. “Craig has built an exemplary career across multiple organizations and brings a tremendous amount of experience, knowledge, and talent to our organization and this new challenge. We believe he is the right person at the right time to elevate our baseball operations and guide our team back to the playoffs and a World Series championship.”
As an athlete, Albernaz had a modest playing career with a .199 batting average over nine minor league seasons with the Tampa Bay Rays and Detroit Tigers, transitioning to coaching soon after. He managed in Tampa Bay’s minor league system and held positions including bullpen and catching coach for the San Francisco Giants from 2020 to 2023. During his tenure in Cleveland, he was part of the coaching staff that witnessed the Guardians make a remarkable comeback to clinch the American League Central, although they were eliminated by the Tigers in the Wild Card Series.
In his inaugural MLB managerial role, Albernaz aims to revitalize the Orioles, who, despite their struggles in 2025, boast a promising roster filled with young talent such as Gunnar Henderson, Jackson Holliday, Jordan Westburg, and Samuel Basallo. The team and its fans are hopeful that Albernaz’s leadership will guide them back to competitiveness in the league.