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Kanzler was the Cubs' director of player development, leading
the organization’s minor league system, players and coaching
staff. A former minor league player and coach, Kanzler has not
managed a club at any level. He was on the big league coaching
staff for the Houston Astros in 2022-23, serving as assistant
hitting coach in his final season.
He will be the second-youngest manager in baseball behind
Washington’s 34-year-old skipper Blake Butera.
“I am thrilled to join the Mariners organization and I’m looking
forward to hitting the ground running,” Kanzler said in a
statement. “This team has an immense amount of talent in all
facets of the game, and my coaching staff and I are excited to
access and unlock this team’s full potential.”
Kanzler was a 20th-round pick by the Minnesota Twins in 2013 and
played three minor league seasons as an outfielder.
After retiring as a player, he taught high school chemistry and
physics in Katy, Texas, before Houston hired him in 2019 as
hitting coach for High-A Fayetteville. He worked in a variety of
roles within the organization over five seasons.
Seattle general manager Justin Hollander said in a statement the
organization believes Kanzler can lead the club back to the
postseason.
The Mariners won the AL West in 2025, their first division title
in 24 years, and came within one victory of the franchise’s
first World Series appearance. But a combination of injuries and
regression by the bullpen and several of the team’s top
offensive stars led to a 2026 season filled with disappointment.
Slugger Cal Raleigh batted .182 with 23 homers and 69 RBIs.
Center fielder Julio Rodríguez and first baseman Josh Naylor
also had career-worst seasons, and the Mariners scored just 664
runs — third-fewest in the majors.
Seattle is still the only major league team that’s never reached
the World Series.
“Throughout the process, Jason consistently demonstrated elite
leadership skills, high-end content and an ability to connect
and partner with players, staff and front office," Hollander
said.
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