Braves tab Kevin Seitzer as hitting coach

The Atlanta Braves hired Kevin Seitzer as their new hitting coach Monday, prying the 52-year-old away from the Toronto Blue Jays after just one season with the club.

Seitzer helped the Blue Jays field one of the league's most prolific offenses this past season, but proved unable to work out a new deal with Toronto for 2015. The Braves promptly swooped in and signed Seitzer, eager to fill the void created when Greg Walker stepped down Sept. 30.

Jose Castro, who served as a quality assurance coach for the Chicago Cubs last season, will take over as Atlanta's assistant hitting coach.

"This is (manager Fredi Gonzalez's) staff and he was actively involved throughout the process,"John Hart, the Braves’ new president of baseball operations, said in a news release. "With today’s two additions, as well as Bo Porter as our new third-base coach, we feel that we have a put a great staff in place."