Miguel Cairo teaches Oriole infielders the value of multi-tasking: ‘I was a utility player’

SARASOTA—Miguel Cairo knows who he was as a player, and he’s trying to identify with the Oriole players he coaches.

“I was a utility player,” he said. In 17 major league seasons for nine teams, the 51-year-old Cairo played each of the four infield positions as well as left and right field.

Cairo joined manager Craig Albernaz’s first coaching staff as the team’s infield coach, and besides coaching regulars, he’s spent much of this spring training working with players trying to make the club as players like Cairo.

“He’s easy to work with, really good feedback, very positive feedback,” Jeremiah Jackson said. “You never feel like it’s player/coach. It feels like you’re out there on the same level, just trying out to figure out how to be better.”

Jackson, who played right field and third base in his first stint in the majors last summer, played second base on Wednesday’s 3-2 over the Blue Jays. Weston Wilson, who, like Jackson, is trying to make the team as a multi-tasker, played third base.

“He’s very vocal, but also gives you the freedom to be yourself while also teaching you some things you can get better on,” Wilson said. “I have the tendency sometimes to get too methodical, mechanical with some stuff. I think he really allows you to be an athlete out there, the freedom to be yourself.”

Cairo has had to get Jackson, Wilson and others ready because Jackson Holliday and Jordan Westburg, the Orioles’ regular second and third basemen, won’t be ready for the start of the season because of injuries. It didn’t help that Gunnar Henderson, the team’s star shortstop, missed all of March playing for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic.

“Of course, that’s what I did for my career,” Cairo said. “I know the different positions. I know the mentality we had to have. We have players that can play second, short and third. They’re doing a really great job. They know what to do. That’s my job to be ready when they get called to play. It’s going to make a big impact on our team.”

Since his playing career ended in 2012, Cairo has worked as a special assistant to the general manager for Cincinnati, a minor league infield instructor for the Mets and Yankees, and as a bench coach for the Chicago White Sox and Washington Nationals.

With Chicago and Washington, he was forced upstairs and served as interim manager in 2022 for the White Sox when Tony LaRussa stepped aside and last year with the Nationals after Davey Martinez was dismissed.

Though he has major league managing experience, he’s staying in his lane with the Orioles and focusing on the infield while Craig Albernaz starts his first season as manager.

“He’s been in the playoffs. He was a bench coach,” Cairo said. “A bench coach is like you’re managing with the manager. He’s got the experience. They went to the playoffs. He knows what it takes to win. I’m here to help everyone. My job is to be the infield coach and make sure those infielders are ready to go every day.”

Shortly after Albernaz was appointed as manager, he called Cairo to offer him the job, and he immediately accepted.

“I saw this team play against us for two years when I was with Washington,” Cairo said. “The talent is amazing. There are a lot of players that want to win. They’re really hungry to get better, to learn how to win, and to be a winner, and I love that. I played for good teams, and I like to win, too. I want to pass that along.”

One of those players he’s been closely working with is Coby Mayo, who was moved to first base early last season, and after the signing of Pete Alonso has again been concentrating on third base.

“Low to the ground, athletic, be able to move side-to-side,” Cairo said of Mayo. “Third base, the ball gets to you quick. He’s been feeling more comfortable, has more confidence working at third base. He wants to get better. He’s put in the time. Every time you see a player that wants to get better and work, good results are going to happen.”

The 24-year-old Mayo is tall for a third baseman at 6-feet-5.

“He has little bad habits from before, throwing and stuff. We’re trying to shorten up,” Cairo said. “We’re trying to stay and make sure he’s moving his feet, read the ball good off the bat, fundamentals of defense. That’s something that I preach. He’s listening. Move your feet, catch the ball and make a good throw to first base. That’s what we’ve been working on, and so far it’s been good.”

Albernaz has appreciated Cairo’s work ethic and the eagerness of the infielders to learn.

“Cairo’s brought a lot of energy,” Albernaz said. “It’s cultivating and it’s rare for someone with his background, especially as a player  and also what he’s done in the coaching ranks. To have him on staff as the infield coach is such a valuable asset for us and for myself.

“He’s been great sharing his experiences but also just like anything in game when you think you know anything about baseball, that’s when you don’t. You get humbled real quick. Miggy is the definition of a growth mindset when it comes to a staff member, and he’s always looking to get better. He’s always looking for different ways to say something or trying to figure out ways to get better for himself and for the players.

“I think the coolest part about Miggy is to see him working 1-on-1 with our infielders. He gets in there. He sweats. He’s really active with the guys, and the guys love it. They gravitate towards him, and that’s the best part of watching him go about his business. That youthful energy that he brings even though he’s not so youthful.”

Family pride was on display last Friday when Cairo watched his son Christian, an infielder in the Philadelphia Phillies organization, single against Yennier Cano in a game at Clearwater.

“That’s a proud moment,” Cairo said. “As a dad, you see him work really hard since high school. It was a thrill to see him face big league pitching. It was an amazing moment for me and my family.”

Cairo got to watch from the opposing dugout and after the game the two visited on the field and hugged for a long time.

“This year he’s more mature,” Cairo beamed. “He’s becoming a man. He’s 24. It was nice to see the growth from year to year. I was very proud.”

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