The Atlanta Braves announced its two newest hires today, naming Greg Walker as the team’s hitting coach and Scott Fletcher as his assistant. General Manager Frank Wren and manager Fredi Gonzalez introduced Walker on a conference call Friday afternoon after the team and Walker came to an agreement Thursday night. For Walker, a Georgia native, becoming a part of the Braves family is an “absolute thrill.”
“It was a lifelong dream to be a part of the Braves organization,” said Walker who grew up a Braves fan. Walker has most recently worked with the Chicago White Sox, spending the last eight and one half years with the team. He said on the call he wasn’t sure he would be coaching this year but he was thrilled to get the chance to work with the Braves, a well-respected organization in baseball.
Wren noted that he spoke with Gonzalez every day and the process started with a list of 20 names. The team whittled it down to five and then conducted three interviews. “We’re very excited and have made a very thorough search.” Wren did say that Walker was the second candidate interviewed for the job and that the team liked his reputation and his record.
The team looked for three things during its search according to Wren. The Braves organization was seeking recent Major League experience in the role, the ability to communicate with players and a philosophy to match the team’s approach.
Walker’s ability to communicate will be tested early as he will be tasked to “fix” Jason Heyward who slumped while battling injuries during his second year with the club. “Jason is a big part of the future of the Braves. I’ll be in touch with him soon,” said Walker.
The team will also “change the model with its approach to hitting,” said Wren as the team also hired Fletcher to serve as Walker’s assistant. Fletcher spent the last three years with Colorado doing advanced scouting work, but he will help with in-house scouting as well.
Gonzalez said that all of Major League Baseball is going through a trend of bringing the scouting in-house. “I am really excited to have Greg and Scott on board, using video,” gushed Gonzalez. “I’m ready to jump in right away.”
Eyes will be on Walker and his assistant Fletcher to see if they can collectively solve the Braves batting woes and get the team back to the postseason in 2012.
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