Two weeks after being hired as Braves general manager, Alex Anthopoulos made major moves on his staff Monday by replacing assistant GM Adam Fisher with Perry Minasian and hiring Andrew Tinnish from the Blue Jays to serve as vice president of amateur and international scouting.
Minasian, hired along with Fisher by former GM John Coppolella on Sept. 12, was promoted by Anthopoulos from director of player personnel to assistant GM in place of Fisher, who was not retained in the revamped front office. Minasian’s title will also include vice president of baseball operations.
Fisher’s exit was viewed not as a reflection of his performance but rather Anthopoulos’ desire to have top officials he was familiar with as he dove into his demanding new job.
Coppolella was forced to resign on Oct. 2 amidst a Major League Baseball investigation into infractions committed by the Braves in the international free-agent market and domestic draft. He was banned for life last week when MLB announced its findings and punishments including declaring 13 Braves prospects free agents who can sign with any other team beginning Dec. 5.
Both Minasian and Tinnish, 41, worked with Anthopoulos when the latter was GM of the Toronto Blue Jays for six seasons through 2015. The Braves hired Minasian away from the Blue Jays in September and now have also hired away Tinnish, who served as Toronto’s assistant GM since June 2012 after three years as director of amateur scouting and three as an assistant scouting director.
Tinnish is crediting with overseeing Toronto’s drafting of standouts including pitchers Noah Syndergaard, Aaron Sanchez and Marcus Stroman and outfielder Kevin Pillar (32nd round in 2011), and also was involved in the 2015 signing of international free agent Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Brian Bridges will continue as Braves director of scouting.
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