Atlanta Braves Make Big Change After Missing MLB Playoffs

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Gavin Groe | Last updated Oct 9, 2025 2:39 PM ET

The Atlanta Braves missed the MLB playoffs for the first time since 2017, ending a seven-year postseason streak that included a World Series title in 2021. After finishing the regular season with a 76–86 record, the team announced it would begin the offseason by searching for a new manager as Brian Snitker transitions into an advisory role. Much of Atlanta’s disappointment can be traced to a brutal run of injuries, with nearly every All-Star on the roster missing time.

The pitching staff was hit hardest, with every Opening Day starting pitcher experiencing an injury—Reynaldo Lopez, Spencer Strider, Chris Sale, Spencer Schwellenbach, Grant Holmes and AJ Smith-Shawver all spent time on the injured list.

Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker (43)© Brett Davis-Imagn Images

On Thursday, the team made another major change. “The Braves have parted ways with director of pitching development Paul Davis. Davis has been with the Braves since 2020. He led one of the most consistent pitching pipelines in the game, with names like Spencer Strider, Spencer Schwellenbach and AJ Smith-Shawver, among others,” wrote Carlos Collazo of Baseball America.

Atlanta has been allowing much of the team’s coaching staff to explore alternative options as the organization shifts into a new era.

The Braves have parted ways with director of pitching development Paul Davis. Davis has been with the Braves since 2020.

He led one of the most consistent pitching pipelines in the game, with names like Spencer Strider, Spencer Schwellenbach and AJ Smith-Shawver, among others.
— Carlos Collazo (@CarlosACollazo) October 9, 2025

Davis’s departure marks the end of a six-year tenure that helped shape Atlanta’s pitching identity. Davis carved out a reputation as one of the game’s most forward-thinking development minds. He previously served as the St. Louis Cardinals’ Minor League Pitching Coordinator and Manager of Pitching Analytics, then became the Seattle Mariners’ MLB pitching coach in 2019 before transitioning to Chief Pitching Strategist.

With the Braves, Davis emphasized biomechanics, pitch tracking and video analysis to refine mechanics and optimize performance. His work helped elevate Atlanta’s farm system into one of the most respected pipelines in baseball. Though his exit signals a shift in philosophy, Davis leaves behind a legacy of innovation and results, producing some of the league’s most talented arms.

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

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