Who is Brandon Hyde? Orioles Hire Former Cubs Bench Coach as Manager

The Baltimore Orioles have reportedly hired Chicago Cubs bench coach Brandon Hyde as their next manager.

Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic and FOX Sports initially reported the news, which was denied initially by the Orioles but later confirmed by multiple outlets including ESPN.

"#Cubs coach Brandon Hyde will be the #Orioles' next manager, sources tell The Athletic. First reported as close: @JoelSherman1," Rosenthal tweeted on Tuesday.

Hyde, 45, will succeed former manager Buck Showalter, 62, who was fired after leading Baltimore to a franchise-worst 47-115 record in 2018. He initially joined the Cubs organization as a bench coach for former manager Rick Renteria in 2014.

Hyde was retained by current manager Joe Maddon after his hiring prior to the 2015 season. He began his tenure with Maddon as the Cubs' first base coach and -- after rejecting an offer from the New York Mets -- was promoted to bench coach after the 2017 seasons.

Hyde was part of Chicago's team in 2016, which won its first World Series in 108 seasons, defeating the Cleveland Indians in seven games.

Hyde also has prior managerial experience working within the Florida/Miami Marlins organizations. He managed several of the franchise's minor league teams -- Greensboro Grasshoppers (2005-06), Carolina Mudcats (2007), Jupiter Hammerheads (2008) and Jacksonville Suns (2009) -- before being promoted to the majors in 2010.

Hyde worked as an interim bench coach for interim manager Edwin Rodriguez and later acting manager for one game against the Tampa Bay Rays on June 19, 2011 following Rodriguez's unexpected resignation. He reassumed bench coach duties one day later after former manager Jack McKeon returned to the organization as an interim.

According to ESPN, the 45-year-old also interviewed for managerial vacancies with the Texas Rangers, Minnesota Twins, Los Angeles Angels and Toronto Blue Jays. The Orioles made several front office changes this offseason which included parting ways with Showalter and vice president Dan Duquette.

Mike Elias, who replaced Duquette as Baltimore's new executive vice president and general manager, was in charge of the hiring search that led to Hyde, according to ESPN.

The former Cubs bench coach is expected to consider Chicago field/catching coordinator Tim Cossins as part of his Orioles staff, according to the Chicago Tribune. Cossins, 48, had previously worked within the Marlins' organization, spent eight seasons in the minor league as a player and worked as a bullpen catcher for the Kansas City Royals from 2000-01.