The Braves have made significant changes to their coaching staff following a disappointing playoff exit, parting ways with hitting coach Kevin Seitzer, assistant hitting coach Bobby Magallanes, and catching coach Sal Fasano.
Despite earlier assurances from the team that no staffing changes were anticipated, the decision signals a shift in strategy as Atlanta looks to recover from a subpar 2024 season.
According to David O’Brien, who reported the news on X (formerly Twitter), all three coaches were under contract through 2025 but were informed of their dismissal, indicating this was not a mutual decision. Under Seitzer’s tenure, the Braves’ offense was once among the best in baseball but saw a notable decline in 2024. After posting an impressive .276/.344/.501 slash line in 2023, the team’s performance dropped to .243/.309/.415 in 2024, with key metrics like wOBA and wRC+ falling as well.
The Braves are expected to bring in new hitting coaches but will not replace Fasano’s catching coach role. While there has been speculation about former Braves star Chipper Jones taking on one of these roles, O’Brien has confirmed that Jones is not a candidate due to other commitments.
The new hires will face the challenge of revitalizing an underperforming lineup while aligning with the broader goals of the organization. With high expectations to turn things around quickly, the team’s next moves will be pivotal in their efforts to rebound from a difficult season and return to contention.
