Atlanta Braves Announce Big Change on Wednesday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Gavin Groe | Last updated Nov 5, 2025 2:52 PM ET

The Atlanta Braves had already made significant changes early in the MLB offseason, hiring Walt Weiss as the team’s new manager. He will take over for Brian Snitker, who managed Atlanta for the last 10 seasons.

The Braves had a disappointing year in 2025, finishing with a 76–86 record and fourth place in the NL East after entering the season with World Series title aspirations. Regardless, much of the core remains intact, headlined by Ronald Acuna, Matt Olson and Austin Riley. On the pitching staff, Atlanta also picked up left-hander Chris Sale’s club option on Tuesday, so there is still hope for a bounce-back year in 2026.

However, the team’s coaching staff will be different. The Braves let go of pitching coach Rick Kranitz and first-base coach Tom Goodwin earlier this offseason, signaling a new era in Atlanta.

Atlanta Braves first baseman Matt Olson (28), third baseman Austin Riley (27) and right fielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (13)© Brett Davis-Imagn Images

On Wednesday, the Braves officially announced their replacements: Jeremy Hefner as the new pitching coach and Antoan Richardson as the new first-base coach.

The team issued a press release with information on the team’s new hires.

“Hefner, 39, spent the previous six seasons as the pitching coach for the Mets. Throughout his tenure, their staff earned six All-Star selections, posted the sixth-best ERA (4.02), gave up the fourth-fewest hits and garnered the fifth-most strikeouts of any National League club. Before coaching the Mets, he worked in the Twins organization for three seasons, first as an advance scout before transitioning to assistant pitching coach in 2019,” it read.

“Richardson, 42, served the past two seasons as the first-base coach, outfield coordinator and baserunning instructor for the Mets. Under his guidance in 2025, the club led MLB in stolen base percentage (89.1%), ranking seven points higher than the next-closest club. Previously, Richardson coached in the Giants system, serving one season as a Minor League field coordinator (2019) and four seasons as the Major League first-base coach, where he also oversaw baserunning and outfield instruction (2020–23),” the post continued.

Atlanta Braves Announce Additions to 2026 Major League Coaching Staff: pic.twitter.com/Vp6RKa2Aqg
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) November 5, 2025

As mentioned, both were previously with the New York Mets. Hefner inherits a Braves pitching staff that struggled in 2025, finishing with a team-wide ERA of 4.36, which ranked 22nd in MLB. Injuries played a major role, with multiple starters and relievers missing time throughout the season.

Richardson, meanwhile, will look to improve Atlanta’s baserunning efficiency. The Braves ranked 26th in stolen bases last season with just 82, a sharp contrast to the aggressive style he helped implement in New York.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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