Braves Add Tony Mansolino and J.P. Martinez to Coaching Staff

The Atlanta Braves have shaken up their coaching staff, bringing in two seasoned baseball minds for the dugout. Tony Mansolino, who once managed the Orioles on an interim basis, steps in as the new third base coach and replaces Fredi Gonzalez.

J.P. Martinez joins him, taking over as Atlanta’s bullpen coach after working as the San Francisco Giants’ pitching coach. These moves show Atlanta wants to mix proven leadership with player development know-how as the club gears up for the season.

Braves Bring in Tony Mansolino for Third Base Duties

Tony Mansolino comes in with a pretty broad coaching background, blending managerial experience with a knack for player development. At 43, he most recently led the Orioles as interim manager in 2025 after Baltimore let go of Brandon Hyde in May.

Before he managed, Mansolino worked as Baltimore’s third base coach from 2021 to 2025. He also spent years in Cleveland’s system as a hitting coach and infield coordinator, learning how to communicate and connect with players while honing their technical skills.

From Infield to the Coaching Ranks

Mansolino’s playing days give him a unique perspective for this new role. He played as a professional infielder from 2005 to 2010 in the Pirates’ system and in independent leagues.

He never reached the majors, but he picked up a lot from different coaching styles and strategies—lessons he carries into his own leadership. When he led Baltimore, the team finished 60–59 under his watch for the rest of the season.

Though the Orioles still ended up last in the AL East at 75–87, Mansolino steadied the club and even got a look for the full-time manager’s job. Craig Albernaz, who’d been Cleveland’s bench coach, landed the role instead.

J.P. Martinez Joins as Bullpen Coach

The Braves’ second new hire, J.P. Martinez, brings a ton of pitching development experience to Atlanta’s bullpen. Like Mansolino, he’s 43, and he just finished a stint as the Giants’ pitching coach, where he mentored arms at both the big league and minor league levels.

Earlier, Martinez made a mark in the Minnesota Twins’ minor league system. He’s known for helping young pitchers with their mechanics, building their confidence, and prepping bullpen arms for the grind of MLB competition.

Enhancing Atlanta’s Pitching Depth

With Martinez on board, the Braves want to get the most out of their bullpen—a huge factor in winning close games these days. Baseball leans more and more on relief pitching strategy, and Martinez’s ability to tailor roles to each guy’s strengths could be a real asset for Brian Snitker and the staff.

Strategic Impact of the Coaching Changes

Coaching hires rarely get the same buzz as player signings, but honestly, they matter a lot. With Mansolino at third and Martinez running the bullpen, Atlanta adds:

• Fresh leadership perspective from coaches who’ve seen both the majors and the minors up close.
• Player development expertise to help young talent really break through.
• Game management skills built from a mix of baseball experiences.

These moves fit the Braves’ approach—investing in versatile, sharp staff who can adapt as the game keeps changing. It’s not flashy, but it could pay off in a big way.

Looking Ahead to the Season

Spring training is almost here, and a lot of eyes are on how Mansolino and Martinez will fit in. They both know how to connect with players, which honestly matters just as much as any game plan.

Their jobs won’t be simple. They’ll need to juggle short-term wins with bigger-picture goals for the team’s future.

For Braves fans, these changes are a reminder that championships aren’t built solely on the field — they start with the team behind the team. Atlanta’s building a stronger coaching staff, trying to set up another real shot at the playoffs.

The Braves already have a solid core. Maybe these moves give them that little extra something in the wild chess match that is MLB.

We’ll see soon enough how much this new coaching approach changes things. Could be a big story all season.

 
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