Following another dismal showing on Tuesday—this time a lifeless performance against the Angels—Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker didn’t hide his frustration. The offense once again looked flat, with even star outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. suddenly slumping. But Snitker didn’t just point the finger at his players—he took aim at analytics, blaming the overload of data and video for contributing to the team’s ongoing struggles at the plate.
When asked postgame if the slump might be more mental than physical, Snitker agreed—but not in the way most expected. Speaking to reporters, including The Athletic, he said, “We probably overwhelm ourselves with mechanics and video. We’ve made it a really mental game. Guys in the past didn’t have all this information, and they still put up Hall of Fame numbers. Now, we’re overanalyzing everything.”
To be fair, Snitker isn’t entirely off-base. The concept of “paralysis by analysis” is well-known in baseball circles. Overthinking can absolutely impact performance. But it’s also worth noting that the Braves have embraced analytics for years—and those same methods helped fuel their success from 2018 through mid-2023. So why are things unraveling now?
The truth is, analytics may be an easy scapegoat, but the Braves’ real issue runs deeper: a lack of clear direction and leadership. With major changes across the clubhouse and front office, the team appears to be operating without a unified voice or consistent hitting philosophy. There are too many cooks in the kitchen—from advisors and analysts to former players and biomechanical experts—all offering conflicting advice.
Snitker’s comments seem to reflect this chaos. Rather than having a cohesive, data-informed approach, it feels like the Braves are just tossing ideas at the wall and hoping something sticks. The result? A confused lineup with no clear identity or plan at the plate. This issue began under former hitting coach Kevin Seitzer and has only worsened under current coach Tim Hyers. Unless Atlanta reevaluates how it communicates and implements hitting strategies—and soon—things could spiral beyond repair.
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