Potential candidates for Atlanta's open third-base coaching job

With Ron Washington's departure to Los Angeles to coach the Angels, Atlanta has an opening to fill at the major league level

Lindsay Crosby | Nov 8, 2023

With the departure of Atlanta Braves assistant and third base coach Ron Washington to be the new manager of the Los Angeles Angels, the Braves need to hire a new assistant for manager Brian Snitker's staff.

Who might Atlanta go after to fill their new third base vacancy?

If David Ross doesn't get another managerial job...

Former Braves catcher David Ross, ousted just days ago as manager of the Chicago Cubs, is a logical candidate to join Brian Snitker's staff if he doesn't find another opportunity as a head man.

Ross, who played in Atlanta from 2009-2012 while Snitker was 3rd base coach for manager Fredi González, has a pre-existing relationship with Snitker and would easily slot into the current coaching staff.

Obviously, Ross's appeal as a manager candidate means this might not happen, but it'd make a lot of sense.

Matt Tuiasosopo's done the job as a fill-in

Tuiasosopo, former Mariners 3rd rounder who finished his professional baseball career with AAA Gwinnett in 2017, has been the manager of that same Gwinnett team for the last three seasons.

He filled in for Ron Washington at third base in late July as Washington was being inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame, so he's already familiar to the Braves major league staff as well as some of the younger players on the roster.

Could Snit want to work with his son?

Troy Snitker, hitting coach for the Houston Astros, was originally a member of the Braves organization - he was drafted as a catcher in 2011's 19th round, retiring prior to the 2014 season due to concussions. He's been with the Houston Astros organization since 2018, first as a minor league hitting coach (Corpus Christi Hooks) and then with the major league team for the last five seasons (2019-2023).

A year after facing off against his father in the 2021 World Series, Troy's Astros won 106 games and the 2022 World Series over the Philadelphia Phillies.

Could Snit want Eric Young to work with HIS son?

Eric Young Jr, who beat the odds as a 30th rounder (Colorado Rockies, 2003) to have a ten year MLB career, spent one season as an assistant with AAA Tacoma (Mariners affiliate) before joining the Washington Nationals as first base coach, where he's been for the last two seasons.

There's no way Chipper would want the job, right?

The Braves legend and MLB Hall of Famer seems perfectly content with his hitting consultant gig - hang out and help hitters when they're struggling, watch games from his seats in Truist Park, and do the occasional broadcast with John Smoltz and Tom Glavine.

But if he wanted the job, there's no reason he wouldn't be a serious candidate, right?

UPDATE: Atlanta losing additional coaches

Per a report from baseball writer Bob Nightengale, Washington plans to take Eric Young Sr. with him as his third base coach.

Ron Washington, the first Black manager hired in 3 years, also plans to have a star-studded diverse coaching staff:
Chili Davis, hitting coach
Torii Hunter, 1B
Eric Young Sr., 3B
Clint Hurdle, bench coach
Ryan Goins, infield coach
https://t.co/5sCkbeoaZ3
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) November 8, 2023