The Omaha Storm Chasers will have a new voice in the clubhouse heading into the 2026 campaign. On Friday, the Storm Chasers named Patrick Osborn the 20th manager in the club’s history.
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Osborn will take over for longtime manager Mike Jirschele. He served as the bench coach under Jirschele last season.
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“I’ve been in the game for a decent amount of time and I understand that this job, specifically, doesn’t come open often, especially to someone that is only in their second year within the organization,” Osborn said. “And so, when it did come to fruition, (I was) just very grateful, humbled and appreciative. I have to thank Jirsh as he had something to do with this.”
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The Storm Chasers are the Triple-A affiliate for the Kansas City Royals. Many Royals players have traveled through Omaha before reaching the majors. Now, Osborn will work in conjunction with Royals manager Matt Quatraro and the front office.
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He is looking forward to the challenge.
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“Taking over for (Jirschele), the history doesn’t bode well for the coach or the manager that takes over for the legend,” Osborn said. “But I’m honored to follow him. He’s an icon in the organization and he’s done so much for people individually and the Royals. I’m sure he and I will be in touch throughout the year.”
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Jirschele retired after the 2025 season. He spent 38 years in the Royals organization while managing 17 seasons in Omaha. The Royals retained the majority of his staff under Osborn heading into 2026.
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Osborn believes continuity will be important. He plans to have open communication with the returning players, staff and front-office personnel in his new role.
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“The relationship with both the players and the staff, I think, will be paramount in terms of just giving ourselves the best chance to succeed on the field and off,” Osborn said. “You know, there are a lot of difficult conversations that are had at this level. When relationships have been built, and there’s some depth in those relationships, I feel those difficult conversations are easy and more impactful. I think that opportunity last year turned into this opportunity this year, and I couldn’t have planned it any better. There is familiarity and I’m comfortable. I know what to expect.”
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The Storm Chasers finished 62-86 last season. The club dealt with an influx of change as several players traveled throughout the system. Top prospects Jac Caglianone and Carter Jensen made their MLB debuts. Meanwhile, the club shuffled young players such as John Rave, Nick Loftin and Steven Cruz between both levels.
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The Royals added key MLB veterans this offseason. The additions of Isaac Collins and Lane Thomas — as well as Matt Strahm and Alex Lange in the bullpen — could create more stability at the big-league level.
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As a result, the Storm Chasers could benefit moving forward. There will be more time for players to develop and build consistency throughout the season.
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“The amount of turnover that we had within that roster, hopefully we don’t have that again,” Osborn said. “That impacts the performance on the field, the continuity and everything that you hope to control, sending players in and out.”
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Osborn will enter his seventh season as a minor-league manager. He previously spent time as a field manager within the New York Yankees organization. Osborn compiled a 375-310 record while making five postseason appearances and winning the Eastern League championship with Double-A Trenton in 2019.
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Prior to joining the Royals, Osborn was a pro scout and field coordinator within the Miami Marlins organization.
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“There’s a humility to this organization that resonates deeply with me,” Osborn said. “Along with a lot of other things … that was what really locked me in and said this is where I want to be.”
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