Webber, Pierson join Braves' coaching staff

ATLANTA -- Former University of Georgia head coach Steve Webber and former Marlins hitting coach John Pierson are among the latest additions to the Braves' baseball operations staff.

Atlanta announced Pierson has been hired to serve as its Minor League hitting coordinator. Webber joins the organization as a Minor League pitching consultant.

Pierson spent the past 12 seasons filling a variety of roles, including Minor League field coordinator. The 62-year-old veteran served as Miami's interim hitting coach during the final two months of the 2013 season.

Braves president John Schuerholz was a member of Kansas City's front office when the Royals selected Pierson in the first round of the 1973 Draft.

Webber has served as a pitching coach or instructor at the professional ranks for the past 20 seasons. He served as Mike Foltynewicz's pitching coach while they were with Triple-A Oklahoma City in 2014. The 67-year-old coaching vet served as Georgia's head coach from 1981-96.

The Braves also announced these additions to their baseball operations staff: Andrew Hauser (director of player health and performance), Joe Metz (Minor League medical coordinator), Kenny Dominguez (assistant rehabilitation instructor), Garrett Wilson (baseball operations analyst) and Noah Woodward (Major League operations analyst).