The Atlanta Braves are making significant changes to their coaching staff as they prepare for a new season. The team has hired Hugh Quattlebaum and Carlos Méndez as assistant hitting coaches to join newly appointed hitting coach Tim Hyers. This trio represents a fresh start after a tough 2024 season in which the Braves’ offensive production took a major hit.
Carlos Méndez is no stranger to the organization. After an impressive 17-year tenure in the Braves’ minor league system, Méndez has coached at nearly every level, including stints with Triple-A Gwinnett and the rookie-level FCL Braves. His long-standing familiarity with the organization and its players makes him an exciting addition to the Major League coaching staff.
Hugh Quattlebaum joins the Braves from the Arizona Diamondbacks organization. His coaching resume includes roles with the New York Mets and Seattle Mariners. While this will be Quattlebaum’s first Major League staff position, his diverse experience across several organizations brings a fresh perspective to Atlanta’s coaching lineup.
Braves Finalize Hitting Coaching Staff for 2025 Season
Atlanta been busy reshaping their coaching staff under manager Brian Snitker, who himself rose through the organization over decades. The recent overhaul follows the mid-October departure of hitting coach Kevin Seitzer, assistant hitting coach Bobby Magallanes, and catching coach Sal Fasano. While the team has decided not to replace the catching coach role, adding two assistant hitting coaches marks a strategic shift.
These moves reflect a newfound urgency. Despite initial signals that the team was willing to chalk up their disappointing 2024 season to injuries and bad luck, management decided to shake things up. This new coaching team will be in place just as the Braves begin engaging with free agents.
The Braves’ offensive woes in 2024 starkly contrasted with their dominance just a year earlier. In 2023, Atlanta boasted the best offense in MLB, leading the league in nearly every major category, including batting average (.276), OPS (.845), and a record-setting 307 home runs. In 2024, and the story was entirely different: the team scored 240 fewer runs, hit 94 fewer home runs, and saw their batting average dip to .243.
Key players who were instrumental in 2023 struggled to maintain that level of performance. Injuries undoubtedly played a role, but the steep drop in production highlighted a need for fresh ideas and approaches—exactly what the team hopes Quattlebaum, Méndez, and Hyers can provide.
The Atlanta Braves are known for their ability to cultivate talent within their organization. This new mix of experienced internal and external hires reflects their commitment to rebuilding their offensive powerhouse. As the offseason heats up, all eyes will be on how these changes impact the team’s free-agent pursuits and preparation for 2025.
