The Atlanta Braves have finalized their coaching staff for the 2026 season with new manager Walt Weiss. There is a lengthy press releases to announce the moves, but here’s the I-can’t-read-size-six-font
version.
Tim Hyers will return for his second year as hitting coach, as expected. It was an uneven first year under Hyers, but the club hit much better in the second half of the season (107 wRC+) than the first (96 wRC+). All eyes will be on Atlanta’s hitters to see if they can collectively rebound and get back to the heights of previous campaigns.
Eddie Perez is also returning as a major league coach.
Tony Mansolino, previously announced as the club’s new third base coach, is shifting to the role of bench coach.
Tommy Watkins, a long time member of the Minnesota Twins organization, will coach third base and also oversee the outfielders. Read more about Watkins in the report from Monday saying he will join the organization.
Dustin Garneau is joining the staff as catching coach, where he will work with NL Rookie of the Year Drake Baldwin and Sean Murphy, assuming he is still with the team.
Darnell Coles will support Hyers as an assistant hitting coach. Coles spent the past four years as Washington’s hitting coach and has a wealth of big league experience with the Nationals, Diamondbacks, Brewers and Tigers.
Finally, Tony Diaz is joining the staff as a major league coach as well.
Overall, this feels like a strong coaching staff on paper. Here’s hoping better days are on the horizon in 2026.
