Craig Albernaz may be a new name to some Baltimore Orioles and MLB fans, but he’s been around the game for over half his life.
Here are four fast facts about the newly appointed 42-year-old Baltimore Orioles manager Craig Albernaz.
Introducing our new Manager, Craig Albernaz! Welcome to Birdland!
For 2026 ticket information, go to https://t.co/gkxLtTKbAf 🎟️ pic.twitter.com/er8W7s6T0k
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) October 27, 2025
1. He was a pitcher and catcher.
As a player, he fielded the two toughest positions in baseball: pitcher and catcher.
A native of Massachusetts, he played college baseball at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida.
2. Albernaz was an UDFA signed by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2006.
He played in the Rays minor league system from 2006-2013.
Albernaz concluded his playing career in the Detroit Tigers minor league system in 2014.
Congratulations to former Erie catcher Craig Albernaz who today was named the Baltimore @Orioles manager. pic.twitter.com/k4XMSQOKkB
— Erie SeaWolves (@erie_seawolves) October 27, 2025
He was known for his speed and acumen at throwing out base stealers.
3. Craig Albernaz began coaching immediately after his playing career ended.
Albernaz began coaching in the Rays organization in 2015 and stayed through 2019.
He joined the San Francisco Giants coaching staff in 2020 as the bullpen and catching coach and has been with the Cleveland Guardians since 2024 as associate manager.
4. He is a husband to a former Phillies ballgirl and father to three kids.
Albernaz and his wife Genevieve (a retired Philadelphia Phillies ballgirl) have three children, sons CJ and Norman, and a daughter Gigi.
The family’s life will change with his high profile role as the 21st manager in Baltimore Orioles history, but Genevieve has already shared her enthusiasm on social media.
Proud is an understatement! Can’t wait to be at Camden Yards. Let’s go O’s! https://t.co/ecq5I2ip1b
— Genevieve Albernaz (@GenevieveAlby) October 27, 2025
Norman gets it… Comes home today with the O’s logo. @Orioles pic.twitter.com/VK81w89Pdk
— Genevieve Albernaz (@GenevieveAlby) October 27, 2025
How will Albernaz deal with Orioles pitching issues?
The Orioles roster is young and filled with first and early round draft picks in their early to mid-twenties. His role as a former catcher is intriguing as the Orioles have a plethora of catching talent led by Adley Rutschman and Samuel Basallo.
Pitching remains the outstanding question for the Orioles, and the lack of healthy and consistent starting and relief pitchers is the biggest problem facing Albernaz (and created plenty of problems for his predecessors; interim manager Tony Mansolino and Brandon Hyde).
