The Atlanta Braves have made significant additions to their coaching staff, hiring former New York Mets personnel Jeremy Hefner and Antoan Richardson. The announcement was made on March 15, 2024, as the Braves look to support their new manager, Walt Weiss, who was appointed earlier this week after serving eight seasons as bench coach under former manager Brian Snitker.
Jeremy Hefner, who has been recognized for his impactful coaching, will serve as the Braves’ new pitching coach. Over the past six seasons with the Mets, Hefner led the team to achieve the sixth-best earned run average (ERA) in Major League Baseball (MLB) at 4.02. He replaces Rick Kranitz, who held the position for seven seasons under Snitker. Hefner’s tenure with the Mets included notable achievements, such as producing six All-Star pitchers and guiding the team to allow the fourth-fewest hits in the league.
Antoan Richardson, 42, takes on the role of first-base coach after spending two seasons in the same position with the Mets. In addition to his coaching duties at first base, Richardson excelled as the outfield coordinator and baserunning instructor, helping the Mets lead MLB in stolen-base success rate in 2025 at an impressive 89.1 percent. His experience and skills in these areas will be replicated as he steps into a similar role with the Braves.
Richardson expressed interest in remaining with the Mets but could not reach an agreement on contract terms. Following discussions with several teams regarding coaching positions, he ultimately chose to join the Braves, where he aims to make a substantial impact.
The decisions to bring Hefner and Richardson on board come amid changes within the Braves’ coaching structure. Tom Goodwin, who served as the Braves’ first-base coach and outfield/baserunning instructor for the past two seasons, will not be retained, nor will third-base coach Fredi González. The Braves are actively working to fill out the remainder of their coaching staff, focusing on building a team that can compete at the highest level.
Hefner’s background as a former major leaguer, coupled with his coaching success, positions him as a key figure in the Braves’ strategy moving forward. Drafted in the fifth round by the San Diego Padres in 2007, he made his MLB debut with the Mets in 2012, boasting a career ERA of 4.65 over two seasons.
Both Hefner and Richardson bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to the Braves as they embark on a new chapter under Weiss’s leadership. Their appointments signal a commitment to enhancing the team’s performance in the highly competitive landscape of Major League Baseball.
