In 2024, the Atlanta Braves’ offense regressed significantly, falling from historic dominance to mediocrity. With the exception of Marcell Ozuna, most healthy players underperformed, contributing to the team’s decision to part ways with longtime hitting coach Kevin Seitzer at the end of the season.
However, Seitzer quickly found a new role with the Seattle Mariners, and barely a month into the 2025 season, it’s evident that he wasn’t the main issue in Atlanta. In fact, he and former assistant Bobby Magallanes have played a major role in turning around Seattle’s offense, which has become one of the most productive in the league.
At the time, Seitzer’s firing already seemed like a knee-jerk reaction to a season plagued by injuries and uncharacteristic slumps. He had been tasked with tough assignments, like reviving Orlando Arcia’s bat, and later admitted he struggled to prevent players from pressing at the plate.
While the Braves have been a league-average offense so far this season—with a .240/.315/.391 slash line and a 98 wRC+—new hitting coach Tim Hyers hasn’t had much more success. Players like Jarred Kelenic, Michael Harris, and Arcia continue to struggle, all posting wRC+ figures under 61.
Kevin Seitzer
Meanwhile, the Mariners have flourished under Seitzer’s guidance. After several years of offensive inconsistency, Seattle’s lineup has broken out. Once-disappointing hitters such as Jorge Polanco, J.P. Crawford, and Mitch Garver have all rebounded impressively—Polanco, in particular, is among the league’s best hitters with a 253 wRC+.
Seattle now ranks third in MLB in wRC+ and sixth in total runs scored. They’ve already logged nine games with eight or more runs, compared to just two by this time last year. Largely thanks to this offensive explosion, the Mariners sit atop the AL West with a 19–12 record, two games ahead of the Athletics.
Though it’s hard to measure exactly how much credit Seitzer deserves, it’s increasingly clear that Atlanta’s decision to fire him was likely an overreaction to a season already derailed by factors beyond his control.
Would you like a quick chart comparing the Braves’ and Mariners’ offensive stats this season?
