A.J. Hinch named new Astros manager

The Houston Astros' search for a manager is over.

Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow introduced A.J. Hinch as the club's new skipper during a press conference at Minute Maid Park on Monday. 

Hinch is excited about the situation he's entering, despite the fact the Astros have lost 90-plus games in four consecutive seasons. The team has a well-regarded farm system and had a 19-game improvement from 2013. 

Hinch, who resigned in August from his position as vice president and assistant general manager with the San Diego Padres, has previous managerial experience with the Arizona Diamondbacks. The 40-year-old managed 212 games with the Diamondbacks, finishing with an 89-123 record, before getting fired in July 2010. 

Houston had been on the hunt for a new manager since firing Bo Porter on Sept. 1. Tom Lawless, who spent most of the season as an infield instructor in the Astros organization, filled in as the team's interim manager after Porter was let go. 

The Astros conducted interviews with 10 different candidates before deciding on Hinch, whom the organization is fond of based on his diverse baseball background. 

In addition to working in a front-office position, Hinch also has professional playing experience. He made his major league debut in 1998 with the Oakland Athletics and played parts of seven seasons with four teams, where he compiled a .219 career batting average. 

Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal reported earlier Monday that the Astros were set to hire Hinch as their new skipper.