Hitting coach Seitzer won't be retained after 10-year run
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ATLANTA -- Kevin Seitzer’s 10-season reign as the Braves’ hitting coach ended on Thursday.
Seitzer, assistant hitting coach Bobby Magallanes and catching coach Sal Fasano were all informed they won’t be retained for the 2025 season. Each was under contract for one more season, but they can now search for another job while other teams are also making coaching staff changes.
Two days after being eliminated from the postseason, the Braves said the entire coaching staff would return barring any resignations or retirements. But as team officials began planning for 2025, they decided to make these changes instead.
The Braves will hire two hitting coaches at some point this winter. Fasano’s role, which included game planning and working with the catchers, will not be filled.
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Seitzer joined the Braves coaching staff as the organization began a massive rebuilding process before the 2015 season. Along with influencing the development of homegrown products like Ronald Acuña Jr., Ozzie Albies and Dansby Swanson, he also helped Matt Olson and Marcell Ozuna produce the finest seasons of their respective careers.
The 2023 Braves were the first team in AL/NL history to produce a .500-plus slugging percentage. The powerful bunch matched a MLB record with 307 homers and set a modern era franchise record with 947 runs. This season was a different story as five different position players from the Opening Day lineup missed at least two months.
Seitzer certainly can’t be blamed for this year’s struggles, one year after overseeing historic production. But throughout the sports world, there comes a time when teams must assess whether it’s time for a new voice.
Magallanes became Atlanta’s assistant hitting coach in 2021, the same year Atlanta won its most recent World Series title.