Ortegon resigns as minor league hitting coordinator

Braves minor league hitting coordinator Ronnie Ortegon has resigned from his position after one year in the organization and three weeks before minor leaguers report to spring training. The team said Ortegon cited “personal reasons” for stepping down.

The Braves will begin an immediate search for his replacement. However, it’s not considered an urgent situation given the number of experienced hitting instructors on staff including former Braves slugger Fred McGriff and former Braves hitting coach Greg Walker, who were hired Tuesday as special assistants in baseball operations. Venerable hitting instructor and former manager Lee Elia also returns as a special assistant in player development.

Ortegon, 48, spent seven seasons in the Reds organization before joining the Braves staff after the 2013 season.