BALTIMORE, Md. -- Craig Albernaz, a 2005 graduate of Eckerd College and former Tritons baseball player, was officially announced as the new Manager of the Baltimore Orioles, the organization announced on Monday.
Albernaz, who turns 43 this week, was previously the Associate Manager for the Cleveland Guardians, who won the American League Central this season. He was hired as a coach in the Tampa Bay Rays minor league system in 2015 Albernaz. After managing in the low minor leagues, he was eventually was hired before the 2020 season by the San Francisco Giants as a bullpen and catching coach. He was named the Midwest League Coach of the Year with Bowling Green Hot Rods, the first to receive the award in its franchise's history.
The native of Somerset, Massachusetts, played at Eckerd from 2001 through 2005 and appeared in 130 games under head coach
Bill Mathews.
Albernaz has made several stops throughout his time in the Tampa Bay organization. The catcher spent eight seasons in the minors as a player, cutting down 44.1 percent of base stealers during his career. He signed with Tampa Bay as an undrafted free agent in 2006 and spent eight years in the franchise's farm system, reaching as high as Triple-A. Considered a fan favorite in Durham, Albernaz appeared in 123 games in a Bulls uniform as a player before joining the team's coaching staff.
Albernaz is the 21st manager hire in Baltimore's history.
