Atlanta Braves hire former Royal Kevin Seitzer as hitting coach

The Atlanta Braves announced Monday that they have hired former Royal Kevin Seitzer from the Toronto Blue Jays to replace Greg Walker as hitting coach.

Atlanta also named Jose Castro as assistant hitting coach.

John Hart, who on Thursday was named president of baseball operations, said manager Fredi Gonzalez had a role in the selections of Seitzer and Castro.

“Kevin is a well-respected, experienced hitting coach,” Hart said. “He was a great player and as a coach he has a skill set that will benefit our club. Jose brings a tremendous resume in the hitting discipline. He has been a coordinator and hitting coach for many years and he has a long-standing relationship with Fredi.”

Seitzer, 52, was the hitting coach the Royals from 2009-2012, for the Blue Jays this past season and for Arizona during part of the 2007 season.

Seitzer, a former All-Star third baseman, hit .295 in 12 major league seasons with the Royals, Milwaukee, Oakland and Cleveland.

He played for the Royals from 1986 to ’91 and was largely known for being a solid replacement for Royals star George Brett when Brett transitioned from first to third base.

Seitzer hit .294 in his six years with the Royals.

He was hired as a hitting coach for the Royals in 2009. He was fired after the 2012 season when Royals finished 12 out of 14 team in the American League in runs scored.

Walker was assisted by Scott Fletcher this season as the Braves finished 79-83. Walker resigned after the Braves finished 14th among National League teams, ahead of only San Diego, in runs scored.

This story was originally published October 27, 2014 at 2:19 PM with the headline "Atlanta Braves hire former Royal Kevin Seitzer as hitting coach."