Can Kevin Seitzer work wonders with B.J. Upton?

B.J. Upton‘s career with the Atlanta Braves has not gone according to plan. The now 30-year-old outfielder signed a 5-year, $75 million with the organization prior to the 2013 season, and from the moment he arrived, there have been struggles at the plate to the point where virtually the entire fan base has fully soured on his mere presence.

However, there is a new voice in Upton’s ear for the 2015 season, as the Braves hired a new hitting coach in Kevin Seitzer. Seitzer and Upton reportedly met for a three-day workshop this week, and according to the teaching side of things, the results were positive.

Mark Bowman of MLB.com brings this from directly from Seitzer:

"“I feel really, really good about it, because [Upton] was very open to everything that I suggested. We had a really good three days together — three pretty intense days together. I think he feels pretty good about what I’m going to bring, and I feel good about the adjustments he has made.”“It was shocking how well received I was. I’ve talked to a lot of people who have said B.J. doesn’t like [false praise]. Nobody does. I just come in and I shoot straight. I shoot straight from my heart and tell him what I think. I’m a guy who wants to try to bring the best out of everybody, and you don’t do that the wrong way.”"

Later, Seitzer said that Upton “did great this week”, and while this could all be smoke and mirrors, it is good to see positive news on Atlanta’s center fielder and his development. Over more than 1,000 plate appearances in 2014 and 2015, B.J. Upton has posted an unsightly .198/.279/.314 slash line, and even with 21 home runs and 32 steals in the two seasons, that is obviously unacceptable.

The 2015 edition of the Atlanta Braves appears to be a team in transition, but John Hart and his front office advisors have made a few moves, i.e. Jonny Gomes and Nick Markakis, to help the compete immediately, Still, B.J. Upton is the incumbent starter in center field, and if this team has any chance to even reach the .500 mark, it would certainly be helpful for the former Tampa Bay outfielder to regain the form that saw him blast 51 home runs and steal 67 bases in his final two seasons with the Rays.

Kevin Seitzer is basically forced to show positivity on behalf of B.J. Upton and his potential bounce back, but the glowing terms surrounding this meeting of the minds serve as an encouraging sign for a player who still boasts considerable talent.