FORT MYERS, Fla. (November 4, 2026) - Former Fort Myers’ Miracle outfielder Jason Kanzler has been named the 22nd manager in the history of the Seattle Mariners franchise, the club announced on Tuesday Nov. 3.
Kanzler was the Minnesota Twins 20th round selection in the 2013 draft out of the University of Buffalo. He appeared in 127 games for the Miracle across the 2014-2015 seasons. Kanzler blasted a go-ahead home run in the 11th inning of the clinching game of the 2014 Florida State League Championship series.
He is believed to be the second Fort Myers’ franchise alum to be named a MLB manager, joining Pedro Grifol who played for the Miracle in 1992 and managed the Chicago White Sox in 2023-24.
Kanzler most recently worked for the Chicago Cubs as their director of player development from 2024-26. Before that, he was part of the Houston Astros’ coaching staff that won the 2022 World Series. Kanzler spent five seasons in the Astros’ organization, two of which came as a major league coach. He has never managed in the minors or majors. The 36-year-old is the second youngest active manager at the big-league level.
For his career, Kanzler appeared in 255 games across three seasons in the Twins’ system, batting .249 with 23 home runs, 109 RBI, and 57 stolen bases.