Report: Astros to hire Trey Hillman as bench coach

Multiple sources report the Astros plan to hire Trey Hillman as the team's bench coach. Hillman is currently serving as a special assistant for the New York Yankees.

The New York Post and CBS Sports' Jon Heyman have both reported that Hillman would be joining A.J. Hinch's staff. The Houston Chronicle's Evan Drellich expanded on the situation today -

Former major league manager Trey Hillman is close to being announced as the team's bench coach under new manager A.J. Hinch, according to a person familiar with the hiring.

Hillman was born in Amarillo, played college baseball at the University of Texas at Arlington, and still makes his home in the Lone Star State.

Trey Hillman was undrafted and signed on Cleveland Indians in 1985, reaching Double-A before transitioning to scouting. Hillman became a scout for the Indians and Twins after three minor league seasons, and moved on to the Yankees as s manager in their minor league system. He would join the Rangers as director of player development in 2002.

Hillman went across the Pacific to manage the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters in 2003, the Fighters would win their second Japan Series Championship in team history with Hillman at the helm. Before the 2007 season, Hillman was hired by the Kansas City Royals. With the Royals, Hillman went 152-207 (.423) as manager fired mid-season in 2010. He would join Don Mattingly and Dodgers as bench coach after the 2010 season.

After being relieved of his duties in Los Angeles, Hillman returned to the Yankees as  special assistant in pro scouting and player development.