Atlanta Braves Considering Brian Snitker As Permanent Manager

When the Atlanta Braves named Brian Snitker as the interim manager shortly after firing Fredi Gonzalez, it appeared to be a nod for a career minor league coach. Instead, Snitker has the young Braves playing better, and may be considered for the managerial position for the long term.

Brian Snitker made sense for the Atlanta Braves as they looked for an interim manager to finish out the 2016 season. He had spent 19 years managing in the Braves minor league system, and had spent even more time as a coach. He was familiar with the young Atlanta players, having worked with them through their stops along their path to the Majors. It was the perfect nod to a good employee who had done his time, toiling away in the minor leagues.

Given that the Braves appeared to be in the midst of another lost season, Snitker was expected to keep the seat warm for whoever would be named manager following the end of the season. Yet, something interesting happened – the Braves have been playing better. Since Gonzalez was fired, they have gone 22-30. While that mark is a far cry from what Atlanta had expected at the start of the season, they have been respectable and playing hard under their new skipper.

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This uptick in performance has not been lost upon the Braves themselves. Even though he did reiterate his plan to look outside the organization for other candidates, General Manager John Coppolella also stated that Snitker would be a part of the process, with the chance to have that interim tag removed from his title.

It is a move that would make a great deal of sense for the Braves. Even though they plan on building a contending ballclub for their new stadium next season, the Braves are still going to have a younger core, particularly on the pitching staff. Having someone in the dugout who has been a vital part of their development, and has intimate knowledge of their abilities and mindset could only help as the Braves look to get back to contention.

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At age 60, it is hard to imagine that Brian Snitker will be a long term solution with the Atlanta Braves. However, he could be the right answer for a few seasons, helping the young Braves reach their potential.