2018 MWL Champion Craig Albernaz Named Orioles Skipper
SAL Bowling Green Hot Rods

2018 MWL Champion Craig Albernaz Named Orioles Skipper

Published on October 27, 2025 under South Atlantic League (SAL)
Bowling Green Hot Rods News Release


Bowling Green, Kentucky - Craig Albernaz, manager of the 2018 Midwest League Championship team for the Bowling Green Hot Rods, has been named the manager of the Baltimore Orioles. This is the second former manager in Hot Rods history to be named manager at the MLB level.

Albernaz's managerial career began within the Tampa Bay Rays organization, leading the at the time Single-A short-season Hudson Valley Renegades to a 44-32 record. The record was good enough for a playoff spot and wins over the Staten Island Yankees and the Vermont Lake Monsters led Albernaz to his first managerial championship.

The following season, Albernaz joined the Hot Rods for the 2018 campaign. After the Hot Rods fell short during the first five playoff appearances, Albernaz was able to lead them to the first championship in Hot Rods franchise history. The team boasted a 90-49 record under his leadership, beating the Lansing Lugnuts in the quarterfinals, the West Michigan Whitecaps in the semifinals, and the Peoria Chiefs in the finals to bring home the Hot Rods first championship. Albernaz was named the 2018 Midwest League Manager of the Year in the process.

He spent the 2019 season as a Rays minor league field coordinator, shortly after leaving Tampa Bay for the bullpen and catching coach position with the San Francisco Giants in December of 2019. After four seasons in the bay area, Albernaz was hired as the bench coach with the Cleveland Guardians in 2023 and was promoted to associate manger in 2024.

The Hot Rods have now seen two managers reach the MLB. The first was Matt Quatraro, who was the manager during the Hot Rods inaugural season in 2009 and became the manager of the Kansas City Royals in 2023.

Fans can secure their seats for future home Hot Rods games by calling (270) 901-2121, visiting the Bowling Green Ballpark box office during normal business hours, or going to www.bghotrods.com.

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South Atlantic League Stories from October 27, 2025


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