Tim Hyers
Tim Hyers (born October 3, 1971) is an American former professional baseball first baseman and current hitting coach for the Atlanta Braves of Major League Baseball.[1][2] Hyers was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the second round of the 1990 Major League Baseball Draft out of Newton High School in Covington, Georgia, and made his MLB debut with the San Diego Padres in 1994.[3] Over parts of five seasons from 1994 to 1999, he appeared in 95 games across four teams—the Padres, Detroit Tigers, Montreal Expos, and Florida Marlins—batting .217 with two home runs and 19 runs batted in, primarily serving as a left-handed first baseman and occasional left fielder.[3] After retiring as a player, Hyers began his coaching career in 2002 in the minor leagues with the Detroit Tigers organization. He later scouted for the Boston Red Sox before serving as their minor league hitting coordinator from 2013 to 2015.[4] He advanced to the major leagues as an assistant hitting coach for the Los Angeles Dodgers from 2016 to 2017 before returning to Boston as their full-time hitting coach from 2018 to 2021, during which the Red Sox won the 2018 World Series. Hyers then served as hitting coach for the Texas Rangers from 2022 to 2024.[5][2] In October 2024, Hyers was hired by the Atlanta Braves to replace Kevin Seitzer as their hitting coach, a role he continues to hold as of November 2025.[5][6]Early life
Upbringing in Georgia
Tim Hyers was born on October 3, 1971, in Atlanta, Georgia.[3] He is the oldest of three sons born to parents James and Brenda Hyers.[7] Hyers grew up in Covington, Georgia, a suburban community just outside the city, where he spent much of his early years.[8] Growing up in this environment during the early 1980s, Hyers was immersed in a region with strong baseball traditions, which helped foster his initial interest in the sport.[9] As a child, Hyers became a fan of the Atlanta Braves, rooting for the team and idolizing outfielder Dale Murphy, whose performances inspired his early fascination with baseball.[9] This suburban Atlanta setting, with its access to local fields and community sports culture, provided the backdrop for Hyers to begin honing his skills and passion for the game before entering high school.[8]High school career
Hyers attended Newton High School in Covington, Georgia, where he starred in baseball as a first baseman and outfielder.[10] His exceptional performance on the field drew widespread local acclaim in the Newton community and attracted substantial interest from Major League Baseball scouts.[7] This recognition positioned him as one of Georgia's top high school prospects, culminating in his selection by the Toronto Blue Jays in the second round, 71st overall, of the 1990 MLB June Amateur Draft directly following his senior year.[3]Playing career
Draft and minor leagues
Hyers was selected by the Toronto Blue Jays in the third round (71st overall) of the 1990 Major League Baseball June Amateur Draft out of Newton High School in Covington, Georgia.[3] Following the draft, he signed with the organization and was assigned to the rookie-level Medicine Hat Blue Jays of the Pioneer League for his professional debut.[11] Over ten seasons in the minor leagues from 1990 to 1999, Hyers progressed through various levels while affiliated with multiple organizations, beginning with the Blue Jays system from 1990 to 1993.[11] He was selected by the San Diego Padres from the Toronto Blue Jays in the Rule 5 Draft in December 1993, spending the 1994 and 1995 seasons in their affiliates, including a promotion to Triple-A Las Vegas Stars in 1995 where he batted .290 with 75 hits in 259 at-bats.[11] Hyers then joined the Detroit Tigers organization in 1996, continuing there through 1997 and reaching Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens in the latter year, where he hit .274 with 12 home runs.[11] Later stints included the Florida Marlins system in 1998 and 1999.[11] As a left-handed hitting first baseman, Hyers appeared in 842 games at that position across his minor league career, though he also shifted to the outfield for 164 games to increase his versatility.[12] His overall minor league statistics included a .263 batting average and 49 home runs in 3,173 at-bats, with a standout 1993 season at Double-A Knoxville Smokies where he batted .306 with 149 hits, following his promotion to Double-A from Single-A Advanced the prior year.[11] These performances highlighted his development, though he faced demotions and organizational changes that extended his minor league tenure without a sustained major league role.[11]Major league appearances
Tim Hyers made his Major League Baseball debut on April 4, 1994, with the San Diego Padres at the age of 22, appearing as a pinch hitter in a game against the Atlanta Braves.[1] Over the course of his brief big-league career, Hyers appeared in 133 games across four seasons with three teams, primarily serving as a first baseman, outfielder, and pinch hitter.[3] In 1994, his rookie season with the Padres, Hyers played in 52 games, logging 118 at-bats and batting .254 with no home runs and 7 RBIs, often coming off the bench or filling in defensively.[3] He returned to the Padres in 1995 for a limited stint of 6 games, going 0-for-5 at the plate with no RBIs.[3] After being traded to the Detroit Tigers ahead of the 1996 season, Hyers appeared in 17 games, managing just 2 hits in 26 at-bats for a .077 average, again primarily as a pinch hitter and defensive replacement.[3] Hyers' final MLB action came in 1999 with the Florida Marlins, where he played 58 games, batting .222 with 2 home runs and 12 RBIs in 81 at-bats, continuing his role as a utility player and pinch hitter amid organizational depth at first base and outfield positions.[3] These sporadic appearances reflected his status as a depth option, frequently shuttling between the majors and minors based on team needs, with much of his professional experience built in Triple-A systems like Las Vegas and Toledo.[4] Across his entire MLB tenure, Hyers compiled a .217 batting average with 50 hits, 2 home runs, 19 RBIs, and 3 stolen bases in 230 at-bats, underscoring his limited opportunities as a reserve player.[3] He retired from professional baseball following the 1999 season after 10 years in the minors and majors.[4]| Year | Team | G | AB | H | BA | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | SDP | 52 | 118 | 30 | .254 | 0 | 7 |
| 1995 | SDP | 6 | 5 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 0 |
| 1996 | DET | 17 | 26 | 2 | .077 | 0 | 0 |
| 1999 | FLA | 58 | 81 | 18 | .222 | 2 | 12 |
| Career | -- | 133 | 230 | 50 | .217 | 2 | 19 |