ATLANTA -- Braves manager Brian Snitker's coaching staff will assume a new look next year as Walt Weiss and Eric Young Sr. will replace Terry Pendleton and Eddie Perez, respectively. The pair had stood as Atlanta's two longest-tenured coaches.
The Braves announced Weiss will take over for Pendleton as bench coach, while Young will assume the first-base duties previously held by Perez. Sal Fasano will also join Atlanta's staff to serve as a catching coach.
Pendleton had filled various roles on the Braves' coaching staff since 2002, and Perez's tenure dated to '07. Both have been offered positions within the organization, but neither has yet to accept.
As this past season neared its end, there was speculation Pendleton, Perez and pitching coach Chuck Hernandez might not be brought back in 2018. After deliberation, the Braves ultimately decided to retain Hernandez, who replaced Roger McDowell after the '16 season.
The other members of Snitker's staff -- hitting coaches Kevin Seitzer and Juan Castro, third-base coach Ron Washington and bullpen coach Marty Reed -- will return in 2018. Both Washington and Weiss previously served as Major League managers.
John Hart's future as the Braves' president of baseball operations has remained in doubt during Major League Baseball's ongoing investigation of infractions committed in the international market and with dealings concerning the domestic Draft. But with former general manager John Coppolella forced to resign on Oct. 2, Hart has been forced to handle many of the daily activities and planning for the upcoming season.
Hart previously worked with former Rockies general manager Dan O'Dowd, who employed both Weiss and Young during their days together in Colorado.
Weiss returns to the Braves' organization for the first time since playing shortstop for Atlanta from 1998-2000. Before serving as Rockies manager from 2013-16 (283-365 record), he spent time within Colorado's front office and served as both a baseball and football coach for suburban Denver's Regis Jesuit High School.
Young served as the D-backs' first-base coach from 2011-12, then filled that same role for the Rockies from '14-16. The former Major League outfielder totaled 465 career stolen bases, the second most recorded from 1992-'06. His presence could prove to be beneficial to Ender Inciarte, Ozzie Albies and No. 1 prospect Ronald Acuna, who each have the potential to add value to Atlanta's lineup with their legs.
With Perez gone, the Braves opted to add a catching coach position and give the role to Fasano, who served as a backup backstop for nine organizations over 11 Major League seasons. He served as the Blue Jays' Minor League pitching coordinator from 2015-16, then spent this past summer managing the Angels' Double-A affiliate in Mobile, Ala.