ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – The Atlanta Braves on Wednesday announced two additions to their coaching staff.
Jeremy Hefner and Antoan Richardson will join a Braves coaching staff that’s already begun reshaping under new manager Walt Weiss.
Hefner, 39, spent the last six seasons as the pitching coach for the New York Mets. He will join the Braves to replace Rick Kranitz, who was informed Monday that he will not be brought back for 2026.
During Hefner’s tenure in Queens, the Mets pitching staff posted the sixth-best ERA (4.02) and earned six All-Star selections, including Jacob deGrom and Taijuan Walker in 2021, Edwin Diaz in 2022 and 2025, Kodai Senga in 2023, and David Peterson in 2025.
Richardson, 42, was also brought over from the Mets’ coaching staff and will take over as first base coach. He replaces Tom Goodwin, who was informed of his departure on Monday.
Over the past two seasons, Richardson served as the Mets’ first base coach, outfield coordinator and baserunning instructor, helping guide the team to a league-leading 89.1% stolen base success rate in 2025.
Richardson was in the organization as a player from 2010-11, appearing in nine games for the Braves in September 2011.
Third base coach Fredi Gonzalez also won’t be returning to the team’s coaching staff in 2026. Gonzalez previously served as Braves manager from 2011-16 and was brought on as third base coach in June, replacing Matt Tuiasosopo.
These moves come just days after Atlanta announced Weiss as Brian Snitker’s successor, signaling a new era in Braves baseball.
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The finalized 2026 coaching staff will be announced at a later date.