Braves’ New Hitting Coach Tim Hyers: What to Expect

I’ll be honest, the Atlanta Braves’ decision to let Kevin Seitzer go early in the offseason caught me off guard. In a post-rebuild era where the team is focused on winning, Seitzer’s departure was one of the more surprising events. Added to that were the departures of Chip Caray and a bizarre decision to allow Bryce Harper to face Bryce Elder in a crucial playoff game after acquiring Brad Hand. But what captivates my interest now is the hiring of Tim Hyers as the new hitting coach.

Tim Hyers’ Past Tenure: Red Sox to Rangers

Tim Hyers is not new to the game, having spent time with both the Red Sox and the Rangers. His departure from the Red Sox in 2021 marked a significant shift. Hyers took over after Chili Davis, who had seen the Red Sox’s offensive production tank from 2016 to 2017. Under Davis, the team’s offensive metrics were impressive, but luck was a significant factor. In contrast, Hyers brought a fresh approach aimed at changing the team’s offensive identity.

The data speaks for itself. Under Hyers, the Red Sox’s strikeout rate increased slightly, but their offensive output significantly improved. They emphasized damage on contact, reduced their reliance on grounders, and swung more often, both inside and outside the strike zone. These changes set the stage for Hyers’ move to the Rangers.

Red = higher; blue = lower. This applies even where the metric is “bad” when higher, like strikeout rate, or ambiguous, like o-contact. A Z-score is simply a reflection of how many standard deviations above (or below, if negative) the mean a certain metric is.

Bringing Hyers to the Braves

Hyers brings with him similar offensive philosophies that have been successful in the past, particularly the damage on contact approach. However, his recent tenure with the Rangers complicates the narrative. The Rangers’ offensive struggles under Luis Ortiz set the stage for Hyers, but his impact was mixed.

During his time in Texas, the Rangers exhibited significant improvements in offensive production, but the changes were not entirely consistent. Their offensive metrics showed a reduction in strikeouts, increased contact on pitches outside the zone, and a focus on aggression within the strike zone – not entirely mirroring the Braves’ recent approaches.

The Luis Ortiz-coached Rangers didn’t walk much and struck out a lot (except when they didn’t); the Hyers-coached Rangers reined in the strikeouts in 2023-2024 but not so much in his first year on the job. The offensive inputs and outputs are a mess.

What Hyers Means for the Braves

What does this mean for the Atlanta Braves? Hyers brings a proven track record of guiding teams towards a heightened focus on damage on contact. However, his recent experiences with the Rangers suggest that every team is unique and requires a tailored approach.

The Braves’ recent hitting strategy, implemented under Kevin Seitzer, has been successful in creating a cohesive offensive identity. The addition of Hyers adds a layer of complexity. While Hyers’ approach is somewhat similar to the Braves’, his most recent stint was a different challenge altogether.

The Braves will also be exploring the playing style of recently added Jurickson Profar. Profar’s consistent performance in 2024 might not benefit from a drastic change in approach, complicating the strategy further.

Looking Ahead

Given the run environment and the soggy ball experience in 2024, the Braves’ struggles are predictably part of the conversation. Seitzer’s departure and Hyers’ hiring create open questions about the future. While it’s reasonable to assume the Braves will maintain their current offensive philosophy, there is potential for new strategies.

Hyers’ track record can be interpreted as supporting either business-as-usual or making significant changes. His experience tailoring offensive approaches can potentially help the Braves adapt to the changing landscape of baseball.

A Call to Arms

With the 2025 season on the horizon, fans and analysts alike are eager to see how the Braves navigate this new chapter. The Braves’ offense has been a critical component of their success, and Hyers’ role in shaping it will be closely watched.

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