Braves supporters shouldn’t let Ron Washington divert them from this vision. Successor to Brian Snitker.

It’s highly likely that the Atlanta Braves will eventually bring in one of their own to take Brian Snitker’s place. Ron Washington was never going to be given a real consideration to be Brian Snitker’s replacement in Atlanta, even if he should never have left the Braves for the Angels. Snitker and he are getting close to retirement. While Snitker has been a member of the Braves organization since the 1970s, both men are lifelong baseball players. Soon, Atlanta will let him retire on his own terms.

We have to wonder what may have happened if Washington and first base coach Eric Young Sr. had stayed put as the Braves finish their final game of the season against the Halos in Orange County on Sunday afternoon. Atlanta’s infield defense has improved thanks in large part to Washington. Austin Riley, who plays third base, was his best project. His defense over there has really improved. Yes, we all miss Wash.

But Snitker’s age, timing, and other factors meant that Washington would never be able to replace him. When that time comes, I genuinely believe Atlanta will replace its manager internally in one of two ways. This offseason or in a year or two might be the time. It will occur following Snitker’s retirement from coaching. Matt Tuiasosopo or Walt Weiss could be his replacement. Weiss was a star player for the team and has managed in MLB before, even though Tiuasosopo is considerably younger.

When that time comes, Brian Snitker’s replacement ought to be Walt Weiss. Tuiasosopo is new to coaching at the top level of the game, but it doesn’t mean he will never manage in Major League Baseball. Before turning to coaching, he was a player in the minor leagues. The last position he had before being called up to take the place of another former Braves Triple-A captain, Fredi Gonzalez, was that of the Braves’ Triple-A affiliate in Gwinnett.

Weiss, like Washington, has managed a big league team, having served as manager of the Colorado Rockies from 2013 to 2016. Aside from spending more than ten years in the major leagues, he and Washington share the affection of other teams he has worked for. Weiss was a fantastic player for the Braves and Rockies and is a legend of the Oakland Athletics.

Weiss may be 60, but Snitker is 68 and Washington is 72. Tuiasosopo may only be 38, but again, he has to become a bigger household name within the heart of Braves Country to get his big opportunity. Remember that Gonzalez was Bobby Cox’s hand-picked successor back in 2011. He had a few good seasons to start, but it hit the fan hard for him in 2014 and he never recovered in Atlanta.

Give it a year or two, and we may see Weiss get his next big opportunity to lead a major league team.