Four months ago, the Atlanta Braves appointed former Texas Rangers coach Tim Hyers as their new hitting coach. This decision followed a lengthy tenure under Kevin Seitzer, whose leadership ended after an injury-riddled and underwhelming 2024 season.
Hyers arrives in Atlanta with a proven track record of success and aims to introduce some of the same hitting strategies that contributed to the Rangers’ World Series championship a few years ago. A recent video revealed Hyers’ insights on situational hitting, and his perspective was a breath of fresh air for fans.
Hyers doesn’t want Braves players sacrificing power early in games
Earlier this offseason, we got a glimpse of the key areas Tim Hyers planned to focus on with the Braves’ offense in 2025. Yesterday, we gained further insight into his approach to situational hitting—one that differs from conventional wisdom. Unlike some coaches, Hyers isn’t instructing Braves hitters to shorten their swings in crucial moments.
Instead, Hyers emphasizes reducing players’ anxiety in situations with runners in scoring position and fewer than two outs. “Players put so much pressure on themselves instead of sticking to the process and doing what they do best,” he explained.
He also highlighted the importance of situational hitting late in games, noting how difficult it is to string together three hits in a single inning at the Major League level. That’s why the Braves have prioritized hitters who make hard contact and can drive the ball out of the park. According to Hyers, situational hitting early in games is less critical because the Braves have plenty of players capable of “changing the scoreboard in a hurry.”
This mindset could help Atlanta regain the confidence and swagger they had in 2023 while allowing players who may have been pressing too much last season to perform at their best. While a hitting coach can only do so much, it’s encouraging to hear an emphasis on maximizing the Braves’ power while also focusing on executing in key late-game situations.
Atlanta’s offense struggled significantly last season when they weren’t hitting home runs. With Hyers’ guidance, a refined approach, and reduced pressure, the Braves’ lineup has the potential to reach its full offensive potential in 2025.
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