The Braves are making a strategic move by hiring Johnny Washington as their minor league hitting coordinator, as reported by Sam Blum of The Athletic. This decision comes after Washington's impressive two-season stint as an MLB hitting coach with the Angels, where he worked under skipper Ron Washington. With a proven track record, Washington brings a wealth of experience to the Braves organization, having previously served as a hitting coach for three seasons in San Diego and coaching hitters in Korea with the Hanwha Eagles.
The Angels' performance over the last two seasons has been a concern, ranking 27th in scoring and struggling with an on-base percentage below .300. Despite being one of the better power-hitting teams in MLB, with 226 home runs last year, the team's overall approach didn't improve as expected. The high strikeout rate and the team's inability to progress in on-base percentage are areas of focus for the Braves, who are now looking to Washington to make a positive impact.
Washington's hiring is particularly intriguing given the Angels' recent changes. The team parted ways with Ron Washington at the end of the season, and new skipper Kurt Suzuki brought in three-time All-Star Brady Anderson as the hitting coach. Anderson's absence from affiliated ball since 2020 adds an element of uncertainty to the Braves' strategy. As the Braves aim to enhance their minor league hitting program, the addition of Washington is a significant step forward, and the results of this move will be closely watched by baseball enthusiasts.
