‘Unconventional’ hire for D’backs

PHOENIX (AP) — After firing Bob Melvin, the Arizona Diamondbacks have turned their fortunes over to a 34-year-old former catcher with no experience as a manager.

A.J. Hinch was introduced as Melvin’s replacement as manager Friday at a news conference, where general manager Josh Byrnes acknowledged the hiring was “unconventional.”

“He brings unique leadership and perspective to the job,” Byrnes said. “We’re not here to reinvent the wheel, but to change the nature of the job a little bit? OK, we’ll do that. A.J.’s a leader. He connects with people. He gets things done.”

Hinch was in his fourth season as the Diamondbacks’ director of player development. He becomes the youngest manager in the majors since Eric Wedge was hired by Cleveland in October 2002.

Byrnes, under sometimes pointed questioning about the hiring, said Hinch brings something he called “organizational advocacy” to the job.

Just how that will help transform the worst offense in baseball remains to be seen.

“It’s a unique experience that A.J. brings as to how the team was built and where these players came from,” Byrnes said. “Obviously there’s a piece of experience he doesn’t have. He’s going to have to learn on the job.”

Wherever Hinch has gone, Byrnes said, “players have gotten better, staff members have gotten better, standards and concepts have gone to a higher level. He’s never done a double switch before, but he knows what it looks like. He’ll figure it out.”

Hinch, who gets a contract through 2012, was a college standout at Stanford.