SEATTLE, Wash. — The Seattle Mariners have named Jason Kanzler their new field manager, turning to a 36-year-old who has never managed a team at any level to replace Dan Wilson.
Jerry Dipoto, who leads baseball operations for Seattle, made the move official Tuesday. Kanzler becomes the 22nd manager in club history and the third hired under Dipoto, who is entering his 12th season running baseball operations.
Kanzler ran player development for the Chicago Cubs from 2024 through 2026, supervising the farm system along with its players and coaches. Before that he spent five seasons in the Houston Astros organization, including time as a Major League coach on the staff that won the 2022 World Series and as assistant hitting coach in 2023.
Seattle narrowed its search to Kanzler and former Astros manager Joe Espada, and both sat for a last set of in-person meetings at T-Mobile Park last week before the club spent several days choosing.
Kanzler will be the second-youngest manager in the majors, behind only Washington manager Blake Butera, who is 34.
His path to the dugout is unusual. Minnesota took Kanzler in the 20th round of the 2013 draft and spent three minor league seasons in the outfield for that club. Between his playing and coaching careers he worked as a science teacher, covering physics and chemistry at a high school outside Houston.
In a statement, Kanzler said the roster has a great deal of talent and that he and his staff aim to unlock its full potential. Dipoto said the club wanted a manager who would push everyone in the organization to improve, and general manager Justin Hollander said the team believes Kanzler can lead Seattle back to the postseason.
Wilson was let go immediately after the final game of a season the club itself has called one of the most disappointing in franchise history.
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