Braves’ Costly Mistake? Fired Hitting Coach Sparks Mariners’ Offensive Explosion
The Atlanta Braves may have just handed another team their secret weapon—and it’s already backfiring.
After the 2024 season, the Braves made the bold decision to part ways with longtime hitting coach Kevin Seitzer. The once-mighty Braves lineup had fallen from elite status to league average, and Seitzer, despite being named Baseball America’s 2023 MLB Coach of the Year, took the fall. But now, just a month into the 2025 season, that move is looking more like a blunder than a fix.
Seitzer didn’t stay unemployed for long. The Seattle Mariners snapped him up—and the results have been immediate and electric.
Seattle, previously known for its offensive inconsistencies, has erupted at the plate this year. They now boast the third-best wRC+ in baseball and rank sixth in total runs scored. The Mariners already have nine games with eight or more runs—compared to just two at the same point last year.
Meanwhile, in Atlanta, the Braves offense is struggling to rediscover its rhythm. While the addition of Alex Verdugo has helped, the team’s overall slash line of .240/.315/.391 and 98 wRC+ places them squarely in the middle of the pack. Young hitters like Jarred Kelenic, Michael Harris, and Orlando Arcia are all underperforming, each with a wRC+ under 61—clear signs that new hitting coach Tim Hyers hasn’t yet cracked the code.
Seitzer’s impact in Seattle is undeniable. Veterans like Jorge Polanco have transformed overnight—he’s currently slashing a jaw-dropping .387/.427/.800 with a 253 wRC+, up a massive 161 points from last year. J.P. Crawford and Mitch Garver have also bounced back strong, sporting 149 and 121 wRC+ marks, respectively.
At 19–12, the Mariners sit atop the AL West, two games ahead of the A’s—and it’s largely thanks to their revamped, relentless offense.
Seitzer himself admitted he struggled last season to keep Braves hitters from pressing too much under pressure. But now, with a fresh start in Seattle and more freedom to work his magic, he’s reminding the baseball world why he was considered one of the game’s top offensive minds.
For Braves fans, it’s a bitter pill to swallow. The coach they let walk is now lighting up the league—just not for them.