A.J. Hinch

Enters his second season but first full campaign as manager of the D-backs ... Named the fifth manager in D-backs history on May 8, 2009 and guided the team to a 58-75 record (70-92 overall) ... At age 34 years and 357 days, became the youngest person to be named manager of a Major League team since Eric Wedge (34 years, 275 days) was appointed manager of the Cleveland Indians on Oct. 29, 2002 ... At the time of his hiring, Hinch joined a list of 12 current Major League managers that were catchers while playing professional baseball, including Bruce Bochy (Giants), Clint Hurdle (Rockies), Bob Geren (A's), Joe Girardi (Yankees), Fredi Gonzalez (Marlins), Jim Leyland (Tigers), Joe Maddon (Rays), Mike Scioscia (Angels), Joe Torre (Dodgers), Don Wakamatsu (Mariners) and Eric Wedge (Indians) ... Spent three-plus seasons leading the D-backs' player development efforts from 2006-09 capped with a promotion to Vice President, Player Development early in 2009...oversaw all aspects of the D-backs' minor league system, including coordination of instruction, signing of free agents, staffing, budgets, player movement, affiliate relationships and Latin America field operations...under his direction, the D-backs' minor league system produced key contributors such as Stephen Drew, Micah Owings, Tony Pena, Mark Reynolds, Justin Upton and Chris Young ... Played parts of seven Major Leagues seasons (1998-2004) as a catcher with the Oakland Athletics, Kansas City Royals, Detroit Tigers and Philadelphia Phillies...in 350 career games, hit .219 with 32 home runs and 112 RBI while compiling a fielding percentage of .987 in 338 games as a catcher ... In his rookie campaign, was named catcher for the 1998 Topps All-Star Rookie Team after batting .231 (78-for-337) with 10 doubles, 9 home runs and 35 RBI in 120 games ... made his Major League debut as the Opening Day catcher for the Athletics on April 1, 1998, vs. Red Sox ... collected his first career hit on April 4 vs. Yankees with a sixth-inning single off of David Cone...hit his first career home run on April 14 @ Red Sox, a solo blast with two outs in the second inning off of Butch Henry ... Had a career-high 3 hits on six occasions: April 10, 1998 @ Yankees; April 14, 1998 @ Red Sox; April 25, 1998 @ Orioles; Aug. 27, 1998 @ Red Sox; May 26, 2002 vs. Rangers; June 20, 2002 @ Expos ... Had a career-best 4 RBI on Aug. 14, 1999 @ Blue Jays and May 14, 2002 vs. Twins. **Personal** Andrew Jay (A.J.) Hinch ... He and his wife, Erin, have two daughters, Haley and Kaitlin ... Signed by the Oakland Athletics as their third-round selection of the 1996 First-Year Player Draft ... Had a decorated career at Stanford University, which included four years as an All-American catcher ... Won a bronze medal playing for Team USA in the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta.

2005

Spent the season at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, where he batted .283 in 85 games. ... Caught 18 of 68 potential base stealers. ... Had a 13-game hitting streak with the Red Barons.

2004

Signed by the Phillies as a free agent, 1/7...Non-roster invitee to major league camp...Began season with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (AAA)...Made 75 starts as catcher and 2 as DH...Threw out 20 of 62 potential base stealers (32%)...Had a season-high 3 hits, 8/13 at Rochester, tying season high with 3 RBI...Hit .272 (22-81), 1 HR, 31 RBI with RISP...Had contract purchased on 9/1...Made Phillies debut, 9/15 at CIN as defensive replacement in 1st inning for injured Todd Pratt; went 1-for-5 with a double, 1st ML hit since homering, 9/23/03 at KC...Made 1st/only ML start of the season, 9/18 vs MTL; 1st ML start since 9/23/03...Threw out 2 runners attempting to steal in his start; 4th time in career he's done it twice in one game, 1st time since 5/22/99 at MIN (with OAK)...Outrighted to Scranton, 10/12.