A. J. Hinch's journey in professional baseball began when he was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the third round of the 1996 MLB Draft. A catcher by trade, Hinch made his Major League debut with the Athletics in 1998. Over the next few years, he played for several teams, including the Kansas City Royals, Detroit Tigers, and Philadelphia Phillies. His playing career spanned seven seasons, during which he was known for his defensive skills behind the plate and his ability to work well with pitchers.
After retiring as a player, Hinch transitioned into a front-office role with the Arizona Diamondbacks, where he served as the Director of Player Development. His understanding of the game and analytical approach caught the attention of the Diamondbacks' management, leading to his appointment as the team's manager in May 2009. At the time, Hinch was one of the youngest managers in MLB history. However, his tenure with the Diamondbacks was short-lived, as he was relieved of his duties in July 2010.
Hinch's career took a new direction when he joined the San Diego Padres as Vice President of Professional Scouting. This role allowed him to further hone his skills in player evaluation and team building. In 2014, he returned to the dugout as the manager of the Houston Astros. Under his leadership, the Astros experienced a resurgence, culminating in a World Series championship in 2017. However, his time with the Astros was marred by controversy when it was revealed that the team had engaged in a sign-stealing scandal during their championship season. As a result, Hinch was suspended for the entire 2020 season and subsequently dismissed by the Astros.
In 2020, Hinch was hired as the manager of the Detroit Tigers, marking a new chapter in his career.
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