The Atlanta Braves have made a surprising coaching move. Third-base coach Brian Snitker has been named the manager of the Triple-A Gwinnett Braves, and Doug Dascenzo has been named as Atlanta's third-base coach for 2014.
Snitker has been Atlanta's third base coach for seven years and is regarded as one of the best in the game. He also has been a manager in the Braves' minor league system for 17 seasons through 2006. Snitker compiled a managerial record of 1,140-1,145 as the manager of the Triple-A Richmond Braves, the Double-A manager in Greenville and Mississippi and the Single A-manager in Myrtle Beach and Anderson, SC. He has been with the Braves system since 1977.
Dascenzo was the Braves' minor league roving outfield/baserunning instructor last season. He joined the organization from the San Diego Padres, where he spent 13 seasons as a manager and coach in their farm system.
The Braves say the remainder of the Braves staff, including bench coach Carlos Tosca, pitching coach Roger McDowell, hitting coach Greg Walker, advance coach/assistant hitting coach Scott Fletcher, first-base coach Terry Pendleton and bullpen coach Eddie Perez, will all return for 2014.