Report: Astros to hire A.J. Hinch as manager

There is a small window for the Astros to make an official announcement on a managerial hiring before the playoffs. Houston is making it's move now. Multiple reports confirming that the Astros have hired A.J. Hinch as the Astros' eighteenth manager in team history.

Source: AJ Hinch close to becoming new Astros manager

— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) September 29, 2014

AJ Hinch fits the bill: playing, managing, and front office experience. Just what Astros wanted, someone to be the bridge.

— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) September 29, 2014

Hinch played for the Athletics, Royals, Tigers, and Phillies during his seven-year pro career. After retiring in 2004, Hinch was hired by the Diamondbacks as their manager of minor league operations. He would be promoted to director of player development in 2006. In a surprise move, Hinch took over as manager of the Diamondbacks in 2009 after the dismissal of Bob Melvin. Hinch hadn't been manager or coached a team at level before being hired, and he was one of the youngest manager in the league the time (34 years old).

Hinch was removed as Diamondbacks manager in his second season after a 31-48 start to the 2010 season - posting a 89-123 record in 212 games. The Padres would hire Hinch as vice president of professional scouting in 2010 and he resigned the post on August 5, 2014.

The Astros have schedule a press conference at 5:30 PM, presumably to make the announcement of Hinch as the manager official.