Former MLB catcher Cancel to manage Double-A Hartford

The Hartford Yard Goats, the Double-A affiliate of the Rockies, announced that Robinson Cancel will be the club’s manager in 2026.

Cancel, 49, is the sixth manager in franchise history and replaces Bobby Meacham, who managed Hartford from 2024-25. Cancel has coached in the Rockies' organization for nine years and served as manager for High-A Spokane over the past three. He led Spokane to a Northwest League championship in 2024.

“We are delighted to welcome Robinson to Hartford and our Yard Goats family,” said Yard Goats general manager Mike Abramson. “Robinson has an excellent track record of winning and development, and we are excited to watch him and his coaches guide our club in 2026.”

Prior to managing High-A Spokane, Cancel helmed the Single-A Fresno Grizzlies, whom he guided to back-to-back playoff appearances in 2021 and '22. Prior to joining the Rockies' organization in 2017, Cancel managed the Gulf Coast League (now Florida Complex League) Braves in 2015, and Rookie-level Danville in Atlanta's system in 2016.

Cancel, a native of Lajas, Puerto Rico, was drafted by the Brewers in 1994 and appeared in four Major League seasons as a catcher for the Brewers (1999), Mets (2008-09) and Astros (2011).