Craig Albernaz is officially the 21st manager in Orioles history.

Like his predecessors Brandon Hyde and Tony Mansolino, Albernaz does not have any big league managerial experience. He most recently sat as the associate manager for the Guardians, a role that he was promoted to after serving as Cleveland’s bench coach in 2024.

So without a track record as a manager to lean on and with about a week until we hear from Albernaz at his introductory press conference, we’re left with gathering bits and pieces of information where we can.

Let’s start with Albernaz’s previous coaching experience, which isn’t terribly expansive, given the fact that he was playing in the minor leagues as recently as 2014. 

His coaching career began just one year later with the Rays, the organization that he spent a majority of his minor league career with. After starting as a hitting coach, Albernaz got his first experience as a skipper in 2017, managing the Yankees’ High-A affiliate Hudson Valley Renegades and leading them to a Penn League championship. 

In 2018, Albernaz managed the Bowling Green Hot Rods, the High-A affiliate of the Rays, to the most wins in minor league baseball that season, earning himself Midwest League Manager of the Year. 

A few years later, he made the jump to the big leagues. 

Beginning in 2020, Albernaz, a former catcher, served as the bullpen coach and catching instructor for the Giants. In his four seasons, the Giants’ pitching staff had the third-best ERA in the National League. 

From there, Albernaz went on to spend two seasons with Cleveland as a right-hand man to Stephen Vogt, helping the Guards win division titles each year. 

While it’s difficult to know Alberaz’s exact role in each of those teams’ successes, the mere fact that the new skipper is coming from successful, forward-thinking organizations in the Rays, Giants and Guardians is an encouraging sign. Plus, a two-year managerial record of 145-83 does just fine.

It’s important to note, too, that Albernaz was reportedly a finalist for both the White Sox's and Marlins’ manager openings, but withdrew from consideration for both positions. He also, reportedly, had interviewed for manager openings in this cycle before ultimately opting for Baltimore.

“Widely sought-after” was the term that ESPN's Jeff Passan used when breaking the news. 

Passan also noted in an article for ESPN that Albernaz’s “ability to connect with players was a hallmark of his time in San Francisco and Cleveland.” That ability to connect, and thus the ability to lead the Orioles in a new direction, will be crucial in turning things around in 2026.

In breaking down the move for MLB Network, Jon Morosi highlighted Albernaz’s description from those that know him as a “blue-collar type of player who has then learned a lot of the advanced analytics from his time with the Rays and Guardians organizations.” A blend of the different tracks of thought is certainly beneficial. Morosi noted Albernaz’s ability to build rapport easily, too. 

So in being early to the managerial punch with Albernaz’s hiring, Baltimore has brought in a sought-after candidate with experience in successful organizations. And with interest from other clubs, Albernaz decided that the O’s job was most appealing. 

This offseason will go a long way in outlining the future of the Orioles and many more moves are certainly on the way. The biggest box has now been checked.