The Guardians announced Friday that former Giants bullpen coach Craig Albernaz will join newly-hired manager Stephen Vogt’s staff in Cleveland.
Before joining Vogt’s staff as a Major League Field Coordinator, Albernaz reportedly was in the running for Cleveland’s managerial job.
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Albernaz is leaving San Francisco after spending the last four seasons as the Giants' bullpen coach.
Albernaz was in charge of a Giants bullpen that led MLB in relief innings pitched at 705.1 during the 2023 MLB season, while also posting a 3.92 ERA.
The veteran coach made strides with catchers such as Buster Posey, Patrick Bailey, Joey Bart and Blake Sabol in San Francisco.
San Francisco Giants
In particular, Albernaz is leaving behind a tight bond with a promising catcher in Bailey.
Albernaz worked closely with Bailey throughout the catcher’s rookie season and played a role in his ability to throw out runners, which Bailey did 25 times.
The departure of Albernaz falls in line with a series of moves made official by new manager Bob Melvin and the Giants on Friday.
San Francisco hired hitting coach Pat Burrell and third base coach Matt Williams, two fan favorites during their playing days with the Giants. Ryan Christenson, who spent time on Melvin's staffs with the Oakland Athletics and San Diego Padres, will be the bench coach.
The shake-up in San Francisco’s clubhouse marks a new era of Giants’ baseball.
Albernaz joined the Giants as a part of former manager Gabe Kapler’s staff before the 2020 season and even transitioned from coaching in the bullpen to the dugout during the 2023 season.
While Albernaz’s impact was evident in San Francisco, his departure signifies another change in this new era of Giants’ baseball.