Former top SF Giants catcher prospect reportedly out as Baltimore Orioles assistant hitting coach

The Baltimore Orioles have begun making changes to their coaching staff following the hire of Craig Albernaz as their new manager. One change includes parting ways with former SF Giants prospect Tommy Joseph as their assistant hitting coach, per Jake Rill of MLB.Com.

Former top SF Giants catcher prospect reportedly out as Baltimore Orioles assistant hitting coach

Earlier this year, the Orioles let go of longtime manager Brandon Hyde after a 15-28 start. Tony Mansolino filled in as interim manager for the remainder of the year.

Overall, Baltimore finished in last place in the AL East with a 75-87 record. After making the playoffs in successive seasons, they were arguably the most disappointing team in 2025.

With that often comes sweeping changes. Craig Albernaz is stepping in as a manager for the first time. He had been sought after by a handful of organizations, and had been lightly connected to the Giants’ managerial vacancy before they hired University of Tennessee head coach Tony Vitello.

Baltimore’s coaching staff will look a bit different next season. A pair of hitting coaches in Sherman Johnson and Tommy Joseph will not be back. 

Joseph just completed his first season with Baltimore. He had served as an assistant hitting coach for the Seattle Mariners before joining the Orioles’ staff.

Prior to that, the former big league hitter served as a minor league hitting instructor for the New York Mets and Giants organizations. He joined the Eugene Emeralds coaching staff for one year in 2023. That type of movement is not uncommon for minor league coaches. They often gravitate toward which organization gives them the best opportunity.

Of course, that is not Joseph’s only connection to the Giants. He was originally a second-round pick by the organization in 2009 out of Horizon High School in Scottsdale, Arizona. Two years earlier, his high school battery mate, Tim Alderson, was also picked by the Giants.

During Joseph’s minor league career, he displayed light-tower power, which is a phrase you do not often see in scouting reports anymore. He came up as a catcher, but was blocked by Buster Posey.

In 2012, Joseph was shipped to the Philadelphia Phillies, along with Nate Schierholtz and Seth Rosin, in a deal to acquire Hunter Pence. That trade worked out nicely for San Francisco.

Joseph moved to first base after suffering multiple concussion. He debuted with the Phillies in 2016, and reached at least 20 home runs in both of his seasons in the majors. 

Later in his career, Joseph had stints with the Texas Rangers and Boston Red Sox organizations. He also had a stint overseas before transitioning to coaching in 2021. He is now free to seek other opportunities.