The Baltimore Orioles are continuing to shape their 2026 coaching staff, bringing in Jason Bourgeois as the new first-base coach. This move reunites him with the team’s new manager, Craig Albernaz, as the two share a history from their playing days together.
Bourgeois, who is 43 years old, comes to Baltimore after two seasons with the Chicago White Sox, where he worked as the first-base and outfield coach. Since he won’t be returning to Chicago next year, the Orioles saw an opportunity to fill their vacant position with someone experienced and energetic. Known for his speed and sharp instincts from his playing days, Bourgeois looks like a perfect fit for a team focused on improving its baserunning and outfield performance.
This hiring also has a personal touch. Bourgeois and Albernaz go way back to 2013 when they were teammates with Triple-A Durham, part of the Tampa Bay Rays’ system. Their reunion adds a sense of familiarity and trust to Baltimore’s new coaching setup. Albernaz will also be reconnecting with Dustin Lind, the former assistant hitting coach for the Philadelphia Phillies, who worked alongside Albernaz on the San Francisco Giants’ coaching staff between 2020 and 2023. Lind is joining the Orioles as the new hitting coach.
Bourgeois is stepping into the role previously held by Anthony Sanders, who had been the Orioles’ first-base coach since 2020 but recently left to take the same position with the Detroit Tigers. During his time with Baltimore, Sanders emphasized aggressive baserunning, helping the team become one of the league’s best in stolen bases. Bourgeois is expected to continue that approach, adding fresh ideas from his recent years coaching outfielders and baserunners with the White Sox.
As a player, Bourgeois spent eight seasons in Major League Baseball from 2008 to 2015, playing for six teams, including the White Sox, Brewers, Astros, Royals, Rays, and Reds. After retiring, he began coaching in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization in 2019, later serving as their minor league outfield and baserunning coordinator from 2021 to 2023. He worked closely with several top talents, developing a strong reputation for improving young players’ speed and defensive instincts.
For the Orioles, Bourgeois and Lind are the first new faces on Albernaz’s coaching team. Several positions remain open as bench coach Robinson Chirinos, hitting coach Cody Asche, and assistant hitting coaches Tommy Joseph and Sherman Johnson are all departing. The team is still finalizing roles for pitching and third-base coaches, leaving some uncertainty around the rest of the 2025 staff.
As Albernaz begins his first season as Baltimore’s manager, his focus is clear, keep building on what’s worked for the Orioles while introducing new energy and perspectives. With Bourgeois joining the mix, the team hopes to strengthen its fundamentals and continue its rise in the upcoming season.