Who Coaches the Atlanta Braves? A Local Guide for Fans in Atlanta

If you live in Atlanta, visit often, or are just getting into baseball here, it’s natural to ask: “Who is the Atlanta Braves coach?” In Major League Baseball, teams actually have one manager (the head coach) and then a full coaching staff that handles hitting, pitching, baserunning, and more.

This guide walks you through:

• Who leads the Atlanta Braves on the field
• How the coaching staff is structured
• What that means for you as a fan in Atlanta, Georgia
• How to experience coaching in person at Truist Park and around the city

The “Head Coach” of the Braves: The Manager

In MLB, the job most people think of as head coach is officially called the manager.

What the Braves Manager Does

When people in Atlanta talk about the Braves coach, they usually mean the manager. The manager is responsible for:

• Game strategy – lineups, substitutions, and in-game decisions
• Bullpen moves – choosing which pitchers come in and when
• Clubhouse leadership – setting tone, culture, and expectations
• Working with the front office – collaborating with the general manager on player usage and development

If you’re watching a Braves game at Truist Park in Cobb County or on local Atlanta TV, the cameras often show the manager in the dugout making signs, talking to players, or discussing calls with umpires.

Key Coaching Roles on the Atlanta Braves

Beyond the manager, the Braves coaching staff is made up of several specialists. Understanding these roles can make watching a game in Atlanta much more interesting.

Bench Coach

The bench coach is the manager’s right hand. This coach:

• Helps with in-game decisions
• Tracks opponent tendencies
• Assists with defensive positioning
• Often takes over if the manager is ejected or unavailable

For fans, you’ll often see the bench coach next to the manager in the dugout at Truist Park, frequently in discussion before pinch-hitting or pitching changes.

Hitting Coach and Assistant Hitting Coaches

The hitting coach and sometimes one or more assistant hitting coaches work with Braves hitters on:

• Swing mechanics
• Approach at the plate
• Studying opposing pitchers
• Adjustments during a series vs. rivals like the Mets, Phillies, or Nationals

If you attend batting practice before a game in Atlanta, you’ll often see hitting coaches throwing soft toss, watching swings from behind a screen, and talking mechanics with players.

Pitching Coach and Bullpen Coach

The pitching coach focuses on starting pitchers and overall pitching strategy:

• Pitch mix (fastballs, breaking balls, off-speed)
• Mechanical tweaks
• Game plans for each opponent

The bullpen coach works closely with relievers:

• Warm-up routines
• Readiness to enter the game
• Communication with the dugout about who is available

From the stands at Truist Park, you may notice pitchers and coaches frequently in conversation near the dugout rail or along the foul line before games.

First Base Coach and Third Base Coach

These coaches are easy to spot during games:

• First base coach – stands near first base when the Braves are batting
• Third base coach – stands near third base and often waves runners home

Their responsibilities include:

• Giving signals to runners and hitters
• Communicating defensive alignments they notice
• Helping runners decide whether to stretch a single into a double or score from second

For fans in Atlanta, watching the third base coach can be one of the most exciting parts of a big play: that arm windmill is the sign to send a runner home.

Defensive and Quality Control Coaches

Modern MLB teams, including the Braves, also typically have:

• A defensive coach – focusing on fielding, shifts, and positioning
• A quality control coach – helping integrate data, scouting reports, and analytics into game planning

These coaches may not be as visible, but they influence what you see on the field at Truist Park: where outfielders stand, how infielders shift, and how the Braves defend certain hitters.

How Coaching Shapes the Braves Experience in Atlanta

Watching the Braves at Truist Park or following them from anywhere in metro Atlanta is more fun once you know how the coaching staff affects the game.

Strategy You Can Actually See From the Stands

A few examples of coaching decisions that are easy to spot:

• Defensive shifts – infielders moving toward one side; this usually comes from defensive and bench coaches
• Pitching changes – the manager or pitching coach walking to the mound; bullpen coach getting someone warm
• Baserunning decisions – third base coach holding up or sending runners
• Pinch hitters and late-game subs – lineup changes in the 7th, 8th, or 9th inning

As you watch from the seats in Atlanta, look for these patterns. They give you a window into what the Braves coaches are thinking.

Where the Braves Coach From: Truist Park and Facilities

Truist Park – Home of the Braves

Truist Park
755 Battery Ave SE
Atlanta (Cobb County mailing area), GA 30339

The Braves dugout—where the manager and most coaches work during games—is located on one of the baselines (home side). From many lower-level seats, you can clearly see:

• The manager standing at the top step
• The bench coach beside him
• Other coaches calling out instructions and signals

If you get to the park early for batting practice, you’ll see hitting and fielding drills run directly by the coaching staff.

The Battery Atlanta

Right outside the ballpark, The Battery Atlanta is a mixed-use development with restaurants, shops, and gathering areas. On game days, this is where many Atlanta fans meet before or after games.

While you won’t typically run into the coaching staff here, it’s a central hub for:

• Watch parties on the big outdoor screen
• Pre-game and post-game discussions among fans about managerial decisions and coaching choices
• Kids talking excitedly about their favorite Braves player or coach

Youth Baseball, Coaching, and the “Braves Effect” in Metro Atlanta

The success and visibility of the Braves coaching staff has a big influence on local baseball culture in Atlanta.

Youth Leagues and Instruction

Across metro Atlanta—Fulton, Cobb, DeKalb, Gwinnett, and beyond—there are:

• Youth baseball leagues that model their teaching after big-league fundamentals
• Travel teams and academies that reference how organizations like the Braves teach hitting, fielding, and pitching

Local coaches often point to Braves coaches as examples when explaining:

• Plate discipline
• Pitch selection
• Defensive positioning

🏟️ Tip for parents in Atlanta: When you attend a Braves game with kids, point out what the base coaches and pitching coach are doing. It can help young players understand that coaching is about more than yelling instructions—it’s about preparation and decisions.

How to Stay Up to Date on the Atlanta Braves Coaching Staff in Atlanta

Because MLB coaching staffs can change, especially in the offseason, it’s helpful to know how to check the current Braves coaches while you’re in Atlanta.

Common Local Sources

You can usually find updated information from:

• Team publications and game programs sold at Truist Park
• Local Atlanta sports media (radio, TV, and print) that regularly discuss coaching decisions and any staff changes
• Scoreboards and video boards at Truist Park, which often introduce coaches before or during games

When you’re at the stadium, keep an eye out for pregame introductions on the main board or announcements over the PA system listing coaches by name and role.

Quick Reference: How the Braves Coaching Staff Is Structured

Here’s a simple overview of how the Atlanta Braves coaching staff is typically organized:

If You’re New to the Braves in Atlanta

If you’ve just moved to Atlanta or are visiting and want to understand the Braves coaching setup:

1. Catch a game at Truist Park – even one game makes the roles much clearer.
2. Watch the dugout and the base coaches – pay attention to when they move, signal, or talk to players.
3. Listen to local sports radio or pregame shows – hosts in Atlanta frequently break down coaching decisions and explain why certain moves were made.
4. Talk with other fans at The Battery or in your section – long-time Atlantans often have strong opinions about the manager and staff and can give you helpful context.

Understanding who coaches the Atlanta Braves—and what each coach does—adds another layer of appreciation to every pitch, swing, and baserunning decision you watch in Atlanta, Georgia.