GUARDIANS NAME CRAIG ALBERNAZ MAJOR LEAGUE FIELD COORDINATOR

CLEVELAND, OH – The Cleveland Guardians today announced the hiring of CRAIG ALBERNAZ to the position of Major League Field Coordinator.

Albernaz, 41, spent the last four seasons as the Bullpen Coach of the San Francisco Giants. San Francisco’s relief unit posted a 3.92 ERA in 2023, leading MLB in relief innings (705.1). In 2021, Giants relievers posted the lowest ERA in Major League Baseball (2.99). Prior to joining the Giants Major League staff, he coached and managed in the Tampa Bay Rays Player Development System from 2015-19, compiling a two-year managerial record of 145-83 (.636) in 2017-18 at Single-A Hudson Valley and Single-A Bowling Green before serving as Minor League Field Coordinator in 2019.

The Somerset, MA native played nine seasons in the Tampa Bay and Detroit organizations from 2006-2014, appearing in 380 games, including 122 games and parts of five seasons at the Triple-A level. He originally signed with the Rays in March 2006 after a collegiate catching career at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, FL. Albernaz was a teammate of Stephen Vogt’s during his tenure in the Rays system.

As Major League Field Coordinator, he will serve as a resource across all facets of team, assisting Manager Stephen Vogt, the coaching staff, and the players on the day-to-day operations of the Major League club.