Curt Casali first met Craig Albernaz in 2013, when both were players in the Tampa Bay Rays’ minor league system. Albernaz’s reputation throughout the Rays organization was that of a glue guy who did whatever was needed for the team.
A few seasons later, Casali got a chance to work with Albernaz when the former was a player and the latter was a coach for Triple-A Durham. Albernaz transitioned from the glue guy to the “ultimate hype man,” Casali said. Their relationship was close, but it didn’t take off until they both reconnected in the major leagues in San Francisco years later when Albernaz was a coach and Casali was a catcher.
The duo worked together closely in 2021 and 2022. Casali knew then what Albernaz’s future would entail.
“It was never a doubt for me that he’d be able to do this. It was only a matter of time before somebody gave him a role,” Casali said. “I think it was a wise decision by Baltimore to put him at the helm.”
Albernaz was hired as the new manager of the Orioles in late October. The 43-year-old is tasked with helping Baltimore return to postseason contention, and those who know him best — including a division foe — believe he is just the man for the job.
When Taylor Walls was drafted out of Florida State by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2017, his first minor league manager was Albernaz with the Hudson Valley Renegades, then the Rays’ Short-A affiliate. In college, Walls had become accustomed to a strict way of doing things and little individual freedom. With the minor league Renegades, it was the opposite.
There was still structure when needed, but Albernaz let players be themselves and limited actual managing to when it was needed.
The following year, Walls and Albernaz were both promoted to the Bowling Green Hot Rods, then the Rays’ Low-A affiliate. A couple months into that campaign, Walls believed he should have received a call-up after continued success. So Albernaz called Walls into his office.
Albernaz explained to Walls that he agreed with the sentiment and that Walls’ play wasn’t going unnoticed. Still, the decision about a promotion wasn’t up to Walls and he could only control what he could control. That was exactly what Walls needed to hear.
“He had a way of knowing when guys needed to hear the truth a little deeper than what they’ve heard it to that point,” said Walls, now an infielder with the Rays. “He also had a way of understanding when guys were struggling, how to take pressure off their shoulders and how to keep their eyes focused on still being a good teammate — still coming into work every day staying motivated, staying positive, not getting down in the dumps.”
Walls said Albernaz was the best possible person to help him transition from college to the minor leagues. He also said playing for Albernaz was one of the best experiences he has had in the sport.
Walls knew Albernaz’s moment would come.
“Without a doubt, not even a question,” Walls said.
Major League Material
The Giants plucked Albernaz out of the Rays organization ahead of the 2020 season to be their major league bullpen and catching coach. Albernaz was one of countless fresh faces, as San Francisco had an entirely different staff under new manager Gabe Kapler. As such, then-Giants assistant coach Alyssa Nakken set up a coaches’ retreat at Oracle Park ahead of the campaign.
That’s when Brian Bannister, then San Francisco’s director of pitching, first met Albernaz.
“It was really a fun dynamic because it was a diverse group of talented people with very specific niche talents,” Bannister said. “Just getting to know all of them and their areas of expertise was fascinating.”
Bannister joked that the first thing that stood out was Albernaz’s thick Boston accent, but beneath that was a coach who is as authentic as they come.
Bannister, now the director of pitching for the Chicago White Sox, was part of the conversations when the White Sox were interested in Albernaz last offseason during their managerial search. He had no doubt Albernaz would become a big league manager. He referenced the unique knowledge Albernaz has as someone who understands both pitchers and hitters.
Albernaz’s years as a minor league manager and major league bullpen coach have helped him understand how to handle pitchers. He understands picking the right spots for relievers and the best ways to get them ready because of his time as a bullpen coach in San Francisco, according to Casali.
Albernaz’s playing career also taught him valuable lessons. Undrafted out of Eckerd College, he was a minor league catcher from 2006-2014 but never received full-time at-bats. Spending more time in the dugout than the field allowed Albernaz to play manager in his mind, Casali noted.
“He has as much perspective as anybody about how difficult and how cruel the game can be,” Casali said. “It’s important to have some humility in that role.”
Walls, Casali and Bannister all commented on Albernaz’s honesty, a trait needed to be a manager in the big leagues. Both Casali and Walls noted how players want to be spoken to in a straightforward manner. That comes with being personable.
“He was kind of a guy who knew when to step into the room that you were in, and then he also knew when to step out,” Walls said. “Navigating that presence and having the right things to say and the right messages to give guys.”
“Born To Do This”
The role of major league manager is as much, if not more, about managing people’s lives and psyches to bring the most out of them as it is about good baseball acumen. Casali said Albernaz has the ability to find the spot in each player’s brain and heart that gets them to buy into what he’s trying to do with the Orioles.
Those traits prompted the Cleveland Guardians to snag Albernaz from the Giants to become their bench coach ahead of the 2024 season. Albernaz was part of a new staff with new manager Stephen Vogt. Vogt and Albernaz played together in the Rays’ minor league system from 2011-2012.
Vogt leaned on Albernaz, who challenged the first-time manager to think differently and never get away from himself. Albernaz always put the players first and created an atmosphere that allowed the Guardians to thrive en route to back-to-back division titles.
Vogt called Albernaz the hardest worker he has ever been around, describing him as over-prepared. Vogt knows Albernaz has earned this role.
“He’s obviously been born to do this,” Vogt said.
The two talked nearly every day throughout the managerial interview process — Albernaz kept mentioning the Orioles — and Vogt traveled to Baltimore with his wife for Albernaz’s introductory news conference in November.
“He’s definitely going to keep everyone relaxed,” Vogt said. “You’re going to get a lot of personality.”
Albernaz’s first major league managerial role comes for a team fresh off a disappointing season. After winning 101 games in 2023 and 91 games in 2024 — former manager Brandon Hyde won American League Manager of the Year in ‘23 — the Orioles took a step back with a 75-win season in 2025.
The Orioles searched for a manager who could help them return to the postseason, settling on Albernaz in hopes he is the right person for the job.
“I’m sure he’ll have a learning curve, but I doubt it’ll be a very long one,” Casali said. “He just gets the game.”
