Kevin Seitzer hired as hitting coach for Atlanta Braves

UPDATE: The Braves have formally announced the hiring of Kevin Seitzer, as well as the decision to bring on Jose Castro ast the assistant hitting coach. 

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The Atlanta Braves have been somewhat busy with their “search” for a new general manager (that actually netted a new president of baseball operations), and with that, some of the focus has shifted away from the vacant hitting coach position. However, the organization has reportedly found their man for the job, as Kevin Seitzer has been tabbed as the man who can reinvigorate Atlanta’s struggling offense.

The 52-year-old Seitzer spent the 2014 season as the hitting coach for the Toronto Blue Jays, and before that, he was in the same position with the Kansas City Royals from 2009 through 2012 and with the Arizona Diamondbacks for less than a year between 2006 and 2007. Under his leadership, the Blue Jays finished the 2014 season fifth in the majors with 723 runs scored, and that is clearly a positive, but at the same time, Toronto is blessed with a very strong American League lineup that certainly does not compare to Atlanta’s current roster.

It should also be noted that while Seitzer isn’t a “family” hire for the Braves, the long-time MLB third baseman was drafted by John Schuerholz when he was the GM of the Royals, and this decision continues the trend of familiarity for this team’s decision-makers. In addition, Seitzer has earned the reputation of a hitting coach that preaches increased contact, and that is sure to be a divisive topic among Braves fans, especially with those who are more statistically inclined.

At any rate, the Atlanta Braves have made their move, and there will be considerable pressure on Kevin Seitzer to right the ship, especially if the ever-struggling B.J. Upton is retained for another year.