Braves Expected to Replace Kelsey Wingert With Former Cubs Sideline Reporter Kelly Crull

With Spring Training just days away, the Atlanta Braves are reportedly on the cusp of announcing a significant change to their broadcasting team.

The Athletic reported Wednesday that the Braves are surprisingly expected to part ways with sideline reporter Kelsey Wingert, who was adored by fans in Atlanta.

Well, it's now been reported that the team is expected to appoint former Cubs field correspondent Kelly Crull to replace Wingert.

There are many outliers that make this move a shocking one by the Braves, but none are more telling than the fact that franchise president and CEO Derek Schillar told the Atlanta-Journal Constitution, as recently as January, that the team wouldn't be tweaking its broadcast crew.

The Athletic, however, reports that the Braves came to this settlement back in December, and that Wingert wasn't informed until later on.

The Braves are expected to make the move official before long. Crull, who wasn't retained by the Cubs' new TV network, Marquee, after spending five seasons with the organization, appears set to take over the sideline reins in Atlanta.

The 36-year-old Crull has previously worked for the San Diego Padres as a sideline reporter, as well as the Cubs. That experience should work in her favor as she has some big shoes to fill in Atlanta.