Braves hire Ted Simmons

[rico43]

FROM DOB"

Ted Simmons has re-joined the Braves as a major league scout, one of four hires announced Monday by general manager John Coppolella. Matt Kinzer and Leon Wurth were also hired as major league scouts, while Kiley McDaniel joins the Braves as assistant director of baseball operations.

Simmons, 66, was an eight-time All-Star who hit .285 with 248 home runs and 1,389 RBIs in a 21-year career that included three seasons with the Braves in 1986-1988. He finished in the top 15 in National League MVP balloting five times in a six-year span with the Cardinals through 1977. Simmons spent the past five seasons with the Mariners as a special advisor to the GM, after previous front-office positions with four organizations including the Cardinals and Pirates. He was Pittsburgh’s senior vice president and GM in 1992-1993.

Kinzer, 52, spent the past five seasons as a Marlins scout. The former pitcher made it to the majors with the Cardinals and Tigers in 1989-1990, and Kinzer also was a punter who appeared in one game for the Detroit Lions in 1987.

Wurth, 62, spent 13 seasons with the Brewers, serving as a pro scout in 2015. He was a Yankees scout from 1993 through 2002.

McDaniel, 30, was lead prospect analyst for Fangraphs.com, after previously working with the Yankees, Orioles and Pirates organizations.

The Braves also announced three promotions in the baseball operations department: A.J. Scola was promoted to manager of minor league operations, Danielle Monday to baseball operations assistant, and Chris Lionetti to scouting assistant. All were promoted from baseball operations trainee positions.

[rico43]

Would also like to see the Braves find a place for Andy Van Slyke, fired by the Mariners this weekend from their big league coaching staff.

[50PoundHead]

Would also like to see the Braves find a place for Andy Van Slyke, fired by the Mariners this weekend from their big league coaching staff.

Why?

[rico43]

Don't really fell like I need to explain it.

[Millwood1Hitter]

This is all great news IMO, more experienced successful baseball people with a number of different skillsets to add to the evaluation department and trying to acquire as much talent as possible.

But lost in all if this, and getting little coverage, is the move of greatest significance of all IMO and that's the hiring of Shoukhrat Mitalipov. This is a huge development going forward. Rumor is that a number of former Braves including Maddux, Glavine, Smoltz, Avery, Millwood, Justice, McGriff, Javy, Furcal, Sheffield, Galarraga, Lockhart, Andruw, Murphy, Seanez, Jordan. Eddie Perez, and Julio all have appointments with him.

[50PoundHead]

When I first saw this, I thought "Wow! The Braves are really thinking outside the box trying to find a new catcher."

Seriously, good news. Simmons is a pretty sharp baseball guy. I like the looks of the new front office. A diversity of thought and approach that can hopefully forge a common direction on player acquisition and development.

[nsacpi]

Shoukhrat Mitalipov

I understand he has identified the DNA segment for clutchness and will be installing it into some of our minor league players on an experimental basis.

[Chico]

Love the Kiley McDaniel signing

[NinersSBChamps]

Can this Ted Simmons guy still swing the bat?

[UNCBlue012]

I love all of the internal hires, that's for sure.

[Knucksie]

When I first saw this, I thought "Wow! The Braves are really thinking outside the box trying to find a new catcher."

Didn't they actually do that around 1987? Used him more at 1B, IIRC. Then Jody Davis came for a brief stint.

[50PoundHead]

Didn't they actually do that around 1987? Used him more at 1B, IIRC. Then Jody Davis came for a brief stint.

Simmons played three seasons for the Braves and was a pretty decent bench guy. I think you're right. He didn't catch a whole bunch.