ATLANTA -- The Atlanta Braves hired Kevin Seitzer from the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday to replace Greg Walker as hitting coach.<br />
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Atlanta also named Jose Castro as assistant hitting coach.<br />
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Walker was assisted by Scott Fletcher this season as the Braves finished a disappointing 79-83.<br />
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Seitzer, 52, was the hitting coach for Arizona during part of the 2007 season, for Kansas City from 2009-12 and for the Blue Jays this past season. The Blue Jays ranked fourth in the American League in runs scored and third in home runs.<br />
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A former All-Star third baseman, Seitzer hit .295 in 12 major league seasons with the Royals, Milwaukee, Oakland and Cleveland.<br />
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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.<br />
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"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."<br />
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The 52-year-old Castro was the Cubs' quality assurance coach this season. He was Seattle's interim hitting coach in 2008 and has worked as a minor league hitting coordinator and coach in the Montreal, Florida, San Diego and Seattle organizations.<br />
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Walker resigned after the Braves finished 14th in runs scored among National League teams, ahead of only San Diego. Fletcher and third base coach Doug Dascenzo also are not returning.
