The Atlanta Braves have announced significant changes to their coaching staff, hiring Jeremy Hefner as their new pitching coach and Antoan Richardson as first base coach. Hefner takes over from Rick Kranitz, while Richardson steps in for Tom Goodwin. Additionally, it has been reported that Fredi Gonzalez, the current third base coach, will not return for the 2026 season.
Both Hefner and Richardson join the Braves after previously serving with the New York Mets, where they were part of a coaching overhaul aimed at boosting team performance. Hefner, 39, has a notable background as a former Major League pitcher, appearing for the Mets in 2012 and 2013. Following injuries, including multiple Tommy John surgeries, he transitioned to coaching, starting as an advance scout for the Minnesota Twins before progressing to assistant pitching coach. Hefner was appointed as the Mets’ pitching coach just before the 2020 season and significantly contributed to the team’s pitching performance, which boasted a 4.03 earned run average from 2020 to 2025—ranking 11th in the majors.
Richardson, 42, has amassed considerable experience in coaching roles with the San Francisco Giants and the Mets, serving primarily as a first base coach. His addition to the Braves is expected to bring fresh perspectives to the base-running strategies as the team looks to bounce back from a disappointing 2025 season in which they finished fourth in the National League East with a 76-86 record.
The changes come during a time of transition for the Braves. Kranitz had been with the team since 2019 and played a role in their successful stint that included winning the World Series in 2021. However, after a lackluster recent season, the club decided it was time for a new direction.
As Atlanta gears up for the upcoming season, the hope is that the fresh coaching lineup will reinvigorate the team and lead them back to a competitive position in the league. The adjustments reflect a commitment to improvements and a brighter future for the franchise as they aim to rebuild and reclaim their spot at the top of the division.