Braves' TV booth adds C.J. Nitkowski as primary analyst

ATLANTA -- With Jeff Francoeur wanting to spend more time with his family, C.J. Nitkowski will now serve as the primary analyst within the Braves’ television booth.

Bally Sports and the Braves announced Nitkowski will now serve as play-by-play broadcaster Brandon Gaudin’s primary analyst. Francoeur and Tom Glavine are both expected to fill the analyst role for at least 20 games next year.

“My family and I are beyond thrilled to come home and receive this amazing opportunity to join the Bally Sports’ Atlanta Braves broadcast team,” said Nitkowski. "Braves baseball on Bally Sports is one of the most respected telecasts throughout the industry. I am honored that Bally Sports and the Braves have selected me to join their group and continue their tradition of excellence in television broadcasting."

Nitkowski’s well-traveled 10-year MLB career included a stint in the Braves’ bullpen during the 2004 season. He and his wife, Megan, have spent the past couple of decades raising their three children in suburban Atlanta. Nitkowski is a well-recognized voice on SiriusXM’s MLB Network Radio and has won six Long Star Emmys while serving as the Rangers’ television analyst since 2017.

This is a homecoming for Nitkowski, who spent many days within Turner Field’s press box just observing before committing himself to the broadcast world.

“We are lucky to have some of the best announcers in baseball calling Braves games, and C.J. Nitkowski will be a great addition to the lineup,” Braves president and CEO Derek Schiller said. “Similar to Jeff and Tom, C.J. has the perspective of a Braves alum and local resident that our fans have come to enjoy and rely on when watching our games on Bally Sports South and Bally Sports Southeast. We’re looking forward to adding his voice and expertise to the booth this season.”

Francoeur’s decision was best understood during this past regular season’s final day, when his four kids burst into the television booth and hugged their dad. Francoeur will continue his postseason broadcast role with TBS, and he’ll occasionally be in the Braves’ TV booth. Stepping back will allow him to spend more time filling a variety of roles, including becoming a coach for his kids’ teams.