The Atlanta Braves are shaking things up in their coaching ranks, and it’s making waves. The team announced that they’re parting ways with hitting coach Kevin Seitzer after a rocky year filled with ups and downs—both on and off the field.
It’s been a season of struggle at the plate for the Braves, and the team’s decision signals they’re aiming for a fresh start. This wasn’t just about numbers or poor performance in the batter’s box. Seitzer faced a battle at home that added a whole new layer to his difficult season.
In the middle of the 2023 campaign, Seitzer’s wife, Beth, was diagnosed with colon cancer. Thankfully, she underwent emergency surgery, and things are looking up. Still, that doesn’t change the fact that Seitzer found himself juggling one of the hardest seasons of his professional career with one of the toughest personal challenges anyone could face.
He opened up about the struggle, sharing with The Athletic’s David O’Brien, “It was the hardest season of my life because guys were trying so hard and couldn’t get going, and I couldn’t get them to (not press).” His candidness reveals just how taxing it was to focus on the game while dealing with a health crisis at home.
The battle wasn’t just about mechanics for Seitzer, it was mental. “You can talk about mechanics until the cows come home, but this (struggles this season) was all between the ears.” The Braves hitters were pressing, and when a team struggles, someone eventually has to take the fall. This time, it was Seitzer, along with catching coach Sal Fasano. Seitzer had been a fixture in manager Brian Snitker’s staff for years, making the decision to part ways a tough but necessary call in the team’s eyes.
The Braves are turning to Tim Hyers who comes with some serious credentials. Alex Anthopoulos, the Braves GM, didn’t waste time in making this move. He is hoping Hyers can inject some life back into Atlanta’s offense. Hyers isn’t just any replacement—he’s got a winning background. As the hitting coach for the Texas Rangers, Hyers led the team to its first-ever team silver slugger award in 2023. Oh, and let’s not forget the Rangers also took home a World Series title that year.
Hyers has a proven track record with sluggers—he’s coached 12 silver sluggers throughout his career. In his three-year stint with the Rangers, his offense consistently ranked among the best in the league, finishing third in both runs scored and home runs in the American League. That kind of production is exactly what the Braves are hoping he can replicate in Atlanta.
With Hyers on board, the Braves are banking on a revitalized offensive approach that will pay dividends next season. Seitzer’s departure might be bittersweet, but there’s no doubt he left his mark on the team. The Braves are now looking ahead, and fans will be watching closely to see if this shakeup can get their sluggers back on track.
