SEATTLE, Wash. — The Seattle Mariners have a new manager, turning to 36-year-old Jason Kanzler to lead the club into the 2027 season.
Kanzler, who becomes the second-youngest manager in Major League Baseball, was introduced at T-Mobile Park as the 22nd manager in Mariners franchise history. It will be Kanzler’s first job as manager, but Mariners leadership pointed to his player-development background and unconventional path through baseball as reasons they believe he is ready to take over the club.
“I’m the right man because I believe that every player and every person can be better,” Kanzler said. “And I think these players so deeply want to be better and to grow and to win as a unit. And I’m excited to get that out of them.”
Kanzler was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in 2013 and later moved into coaching in the organization in the minors. He went on to work as a hitting coach for the Houston Astros and was part of the organization when Houston won the World Series in 2022.
Kanzler spent the past three seasons as the Chicago Cubs’ director of player development.
Before his career in professional coaching, Kanzler also taught high school physics and chemistry in Houston, an experience he believes has parallels with coaching and developing major league players.
Mariners President of Baseball Operations Jerry Dipoto said Kanzler’s unconventional résumé stood out during the search.
“The uniqueness of his developmental path, I think, is going to go a long way with modern players,” Dipoto said.
The hiring represents a shift from what the Mariners initially indicated they were looking for in their next manager. The front office had said previous managerial experience was a priority.
Asked what changed during the search, Mariners General Manager Justin Hollander said the organization was convinced by what Kanzler could bring to the clubhouse.
“I think you’re getting someone who’s really special, who’s 24/7 going to be committed to making every player on the roster the best version of themselves,” Hollander said.
Kanzler is also familiar with Seattle from his time with the Astros.
“I fondly remember coming here when I was with the team that shall not be named,” Kanzler joked. “What distinctly stood out to me is this atmosphere is electric.”
The hire is already generating reaction among Mariners fans.
“I’m glad that the Mariners made a hire based off of a high ceiling rather than Pacific Northwest nostalgia,” Mariners fan and sports podcaster Andrew Willmon said.
With Kanzler in place, the Mariners now turn their attention toward filling out the rest of the coaching staff and addressing roster needs ahead of the 2027 season.