In a surprising midseason move that underscores the Atlanta Braves’ ongoing struggles at the plate and on the bases, the team announced on June 2, 2025, that Matt Tuiasosopo has been demoted from his role as third base coach and reassigned as a minor league infield coordinator. Taking over the third base coaching duties is none other than former Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez, a figure familiar to Atlanta fans but whose return has sparked mixed reactions given his past tenure.
The Braves’ decision to make a coaching change in the middle of the season is unusual but reflects the frustration surrounding the team’s inability to capitalize on scoring opportunities. Atlanta entered June with a disappointing 27-31 record, sitting in fourth place in the National League East, and had been involved in numerous close games where baserunning decisions under Tuiasosopo came under intense scrutiny.
Tuiasosopo, in his first season as a major league third base coach, was responsible for several questionable sends that directly impacted the outcomes of games. Notably, during a May 30 loss to the Boston Red Sox, his aggressive decision to send Ronald Acuña Jr. home nearly backfired, with Acuña being out if not for a dropped throw by catcher Carlos Narváez. Similarly, Austin Riley was thrown out in the ninth inning of an extra-inning defeat to the Washington Nationals on May 22, and Alex Verdugo was easily tagged out attempting to score in a one-run loss at Fenway Park on May 17. These costly mistakes have compounded the Braves’ offensive woes in a season where scoring runs has been a major challenge.
Braves president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos explained that the change had been considered for some time and was prompted by the team’s recent struggles, including an eight-loss stretch in 11 games. “If we were going to make a change like this, we needed to know that we were bringing somebody in that had a lot of experience, was high level at this position and could hit the ground running,” Anthopoulos said. He added that the opportunity to bring in someone like Gonzalez, who was available and highly regarded, was rare and influenced the timing of the move.
Fredi Gonzalez, 61, brings a wealth of experience back to the Braves’ dugout. He served as Bobby Cox’s third base coach from 2003 to 2006 before succeeding Cox as Atlanta’s manager in 2011. Gonzalez managed the Braves through parts of six seasons, compiling a 434-413 record, but his tenure ended in mid-2016 after a dismal 9-28 start that led to his replacement by current manager Brian Snitker. After leaving Atlanta, Gonzalez worked as the Miami Marlins’ third base coach from 2017 to 2019 and then as the Baltimore Orioles’ bench coach from 2020 through 2024. Prior to this appointment, Gonzalez had been working as an MLB umpire supervisor.
The reunion between Gonzalez and Snitker is notable, as the two have been longtime friends and colleagues. Snitker served as Gonzalez’s third base coach from 2011 to 2013 before taking over as manager. Anthopoulos noted that he approached Snitker about the coaching change on June 1, 2025, and that Gonzalez’s availability was a key factor in making the move possible. “This has been on my mind for a little bit,” Anthopoulos said. “The opportunity to get somebody like Gonzalez was rare.”
Despite the coaching change, Anthopoulos praised Tuiasosopo’s professionalism and expressed confidence in his future as a coach. “Snitker still believes Tuiasosopo has a bright future as a coach,” Anthopoulos said, emphasizing that the decision was not a reflection of Tuiasosopo’s character but rather a strategic move to improve the team’s performance on the bases.
Tuiasosopo’s coaching journey has been swift but challenging. He began his coaching career with the Rome Braves in 2019, progressed to the Gwinnett Stripers in 2021, and was promoted to Atlanta’s major league staff as third base coach starting with the 2024 season. He replaced the acclaimed Ron Washington, who left to become the manager of the Los Angeles Angels. While Tuiasosopo’s aggressive baserunning style was intended to spark the offense, it has often resulted in costly outs that the Braves simply cannot afford in tight games.
The Braves’ offensive struggles have been evident all season. Their record in one-run games stands at 9-14, highlighting the narrow margins that have defined their campaign. Anthopoulos pointed out that while the team’s actual record is 27-31, their expected win-loss record is a more favorable 31-27, indicating that the Braves have been competitive but unable to close out games consistently. “We’re not getting blown off the field by any stretch,” Anthopoulos remarked. “There’s just been a lot of close games and a lot of little things that have impacted us, and those are the things that we need to tighten up.”
The Braves opened a crucial series against the struggling Arizona Diamondbacks on June 3, 2025, at Truist Park, hoping the coaching shake-up would ignite a turnaround. The team’s leadership remains hopeful that Gonzalez’s experience and steady hand at third base will help the Braves avoid further costly baserunning errors and improve their run production.
While Gonzalez’s return to Atlanta is met with mixed feelings due to his previous managerial tenure, his knowledge of the team and the league is undeniable. The move also signals that Brian Snitker is firmly entrenched as the Braves’ manager for the foreseeable future, as the organization opted to bring in a familiar and trusted figure rather than seeking an outsider for the coaching role.
Anthopoulos remains optimistic about the season despite the rocky start. He referenced the Braves’ 2021 World Series championship team, which struggled early but surged late, and the 2022 squad that overcame a 23-27 start to win the NL East with 101 victories. “We can be aggressive, whether it’s making changes, whether it’s making trades,” Anthopoulos said. “If we can, we’re going to do that. I’m not wired any other way than to constantly look to find a way to do what we think can make this team better. We have full belief we need to play better.”
For now, the spotlight will be on Gonzalez as he steps into the third base coaching box, tasked with guiding baserunners through tight situations and helping the Braves turn close games into wins. Meanwhile, Tuiasosopo will continue to develop his coaching skills in the minors, with the organization hopeful he can grow into a successful major league coach in the future.
As the Braves navigate a critical stretch of their season, all eyes will be on whether this bold coaching change can spark a much-needed offensive resurgence and steady the baserunning ship. The team’s fortunes could very well hinge on the decisions made in the coming weeks, with Gonzalez’s return adding an intriguing chapter to Atlanta’s 2025 story.
