Albernaz reveals why the Orioles hired a 28-year-old coach.
The Baltimore Orioles went 75-87 last season and finished last in the American League East, so it was clear that the front office needed to make some changes heading into 2026.
On top of signing Pete Alonso, trading for Shane Baz and adding closer Ryan Helsley, the Orioles also brought in a brand new coaching staff under first-year manager Craig Albernaz.
One of those hires has already turned heads across the league, and it is someone who most fans have probably never heard of.
Albernaz Praises 28-Year-Old Catching Coach
That would be 28-year-old Joe Singley, who was hired as the team's field coordinator and catching coach shortly after Albernaz got the job last October.
Singley is the youngest coach on the Orioles' staff, but Albernaz does not care about age one bit, and he recently explained why in an interview with MLB.com.
"He's the best catching coach out there, in my opinion, and that's why he's here and that's why we were trying to get him," Albernaz said. "The dude can coach. And to me, it doesn't matter about age. Like, 'Can you coach to get players better? Can you collaborate with other staff members, different departments?' Joe checks all those boxes."
It is a big statement from Albernaz, but when you look at the work Singley has done to get here, it is easy to see why the Orioles feel so strongly about him.
Singley's Rise Through the Ranks
Singley played catcher at Indian River State College and Coastal Carolina University from 2017 through 2020, but multiple injuries kept him from ever getting into a game.
Despite never playing at a high level, his knowledge of the position and the game itself earned him a student assistant role at Coastal Carolina, which is where his coaching career took off.
From there, he landed a job as the Cincinnati Reds' assistant catching coach and bullpen catcher from 2022 through 2024 before spending the 2025 season as the Miami Marlins' catching coach and assistant director of catching.
Now, at just 28 years old, he is working with two of the best young catchers in baseball in Adley Rutschman and Samuel Basallo.
Why Baltimore Is So Excited
Albernaz explained that what sets Singley apart is how he connects with players and delivers information, saying he can use video, spreadsheets or just a simple conversation depending on what the player responds to best.
The Orioles also have former big league catcher Hank Conger on staff as the bullpen coach, giving Baltimore three catching minds in the dugout when you include Albernaz himself, who was a catcher throughout his playing career.
For Singley's part, he said the chance to work with Rutschman, Basallo and Albernaz was too good to pass up.
The Orioles currently sit at 5-4 in Grapefruit League play and are working toward Opening Day on March 26 against the Minnesota Twins at Camden Yards.
With a revamped roster and a coaching staff that Albernaz hand-picked, Baltimore is hoping that hires like Singley will be a big part of helping the club bounce back in 2026.