The Baltimore Orioles are making strategic moves to build a strong coaching unit for the 2026 Major League Baseball season. In a significant appointment, the team has brought on board Jason Bourgeois to serve as the new first-base coach. This decision marks a key reunion with the club's first-year manager, Craig Albernaz.
A Reunion Built on Shared History
What makes this hiring special is the pre-existing connection between the new coach and the manager. Jason Bourgeois and Craig Albernaz were teammates back in 2013 with the Triple-A Durham Bulls, a team in the Tampa Bay Rays' farm system. This shared experience from their playing days is expected to foster excellent chemistry within the Orioles' dugout.
Bourgeois, who is 43 years old, joins the Orioles after spending the last two seasons with the Chicago White Sox. During his tenure in Chicago, he held the roles of first-base coach and outfield coach. The Houston native will not be returning to the White Sox in 2026, which made him available for this vacancy in Baltimore.
Filling the Shoes and Adding New Expertise
Bourgeois steps into the role previously held by Anthony Sanders, who was the Orioles' first-base coach from 2020 through the 2025 season. Sanders has since moved on to take up the same position with the Detroit Tigers. Under Sanders' guidance, the Orioles developed a reputation for aggressive and successful base running, often ranking among the league leaders in stolen bases.
Jason Bourgeois is well-equipped to build upon that foundation. His own professional career as a speedy outfielder spanned eight MLB seasons from 2008 to 2015. He played for six different teams: the Chicago White Sox, Milwaukee Brewers, Houston Astros, Kansas City Royals, Tampa Bay Rays, and Cincinnati Reds. This firsthand experience, combined with his recent coaching work focusing on outfield drills with the White Sox, provides a valuable skill set for the evolving Orioles staff.
Building Albernaz's Inaugural Coaching Team
The hiring of Bourgeois is part of a broader restructuring under new manager Craig Albernaz. Another notable reunion involves Dustin Lind, the former assistant hitting coach for the Philadelphia Phillies. Lind had previously worked with Albernaz on the San Francisco Giants' coaching staff from 2020 to 2023 and is set to join Baltimore as a hitting coach.
These appointments are the first major additions to Albernaz's new team. They come amidst several departures from the previous staff, including bench coach Robinson Chirinos and hitting coach Cody Asche. The status of other coaches from the 2025 season remains uncertain, indicating that more changes could be on the horizon as Albernaz, who was promoted after a highly successful run as a minor league manager, finalizes his crew for the upcoming season.
