TL1 Corpus Christi Hooks

Linares Texas League Manager of Year

Published on August 27, 2015 under Texas League (TL1)
Corpus Christi Hooks News Release


SAN ANTONIO - When Rodney Linares was named manager of the Hooks on December 19, it was understood a proven winner had been assigned to Corpus Christi.

After all, Linares entered his ninth consecutive campaign as a skipper in Houston's minor league system on the heels of distinguished service in the California League: championships in 2012 and 2014 sandwiching a manager of the year selection. His Lancaster JetHawks were 234-186 (.557) over three seasons, 16-7 in postseason play.

Thursday, Linares added 2015 Texas League Manager of the Year honors to his resume. He's joined by Hooks pitchers Chris Devenski and Jandel Gustave, outfielder Jon Kemmer, and utility man Colin Moran on the Texas League Postseason All-Star Team.

The honor squad is voted on by league field staffs, writers, and radio broadcasters who cover the eight-team circuit. With four players each, the Hooks and South Division rival Midland have the greatest representation.

Linares, 38, has worked his way through the Astros chain, managing three years at Greeneville of the Appalachian League (2007-09) and two at South Atlantic League Lexington (2010-11). This season, he piloted the Hooks to a 48-22 first-half record and South Division crown. As a result, Corpus Christi will make its fourth postseason appearance in 10 seasons. On multiple occasions, Linares has had the ball club at a team-best 33 games over .500.

Overall, the Hooks are 80-48 in 2015. They have the second-most wins in MiLB (Class A Houston affiliate Quad Cities 81).

Devenski, 24, is a former White Sox farmhand who started for the South squad in the 79th Texas League All-Star Game at Whataburger Field on June 30th. In 22 games (15 starts), Devenski stands 7-4 with a 2.80 earned run average, good for second in the TL. Over 109 1/3 innings, he's recorded 92 strikeouts against 31 walks. Devenski finished 2014 as a Hook and his two-year Corpus Christi record is 12-7. The right-hander played collegiately at Cal State Fullerton.

Gustave, 22, is the Hooks closer. He's appeared in 41 games and his 16 saves are second in the league to former Hook David Martinez of Frisco (21). Gustave has 43 strikeouts and 22 walks in 53 innings, and his ERA is 2.38. He's also won five of seven decisions. Gustave, a Red Sox Rule 5 draftee in December, was returned by the Padres to Houston in early April. He's from Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic and signed with the Astros as a non-drafted free agent in 2010.

Kemmer, 24, is vying for the Texas League batting title at .327. His closest competition is TL Player of the Year Chad Pinder (.319). Kemmer has 25 doubles, three triples, 17 home runs, and 58 runs batted in. He's tied with teammate Teoscar Hernandez in home runs, three off the pace set by Frisco's Drew Robinson. Kemmer is second in league on-base percentage (.421), first in slugging percentage (.574), and first in on-base plus slugging at .995. The Shippenville, Pa., native completed his college career at NAIA Brewton-Parker (Ga.), and was a 21st-round selection of the Astros two years ago.

Moran, 22, the sixth overall pick by Florida in 2013, was acquired by Houston in a six-player trade at the 2014 deadline. Corpus Christi's third baseman is hitting .302 with 24 doubles, two triples, eight home runs, and 59 RBIs. Moran, who played 28 games for the Hooks last season, has a two-year Texas League batting average of .302. He played at North Carolina and was ACC Player of the Year in 2013.

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2015 TEXAS LEAGUE POSTSEASON ALL-STAR TEAM

Catcher - Mike Ohlman, Springfield; First Base - Balbino Fuenmayor, Northwest Arkansas; Second Base - Colin Walsh, Midland; Shortstop - Chad Pinder, Midland; Third Base - Ryon Healy, Midland; Utility - COLIN MORAN, CORPUS CHRISTI; Outfielders - JON KEMMER, CORPUS CHRISTI; Charlie Tilson, Springfield; Nick Williams, Frisco; Designated Hitter - Yeison Asencio, San Antonio; Pitchers - CHRIS DEVENSKI, CORPUS CHRISTI; Ryan Dull, Midland; Jonathan Dziedzic, Northwest Arkansas; JANDEL GUSTAVE, CORPUS CHRISTI; David Martinez, Frisco; Colin Rea, San Antonio; Arturo Reyes, Springfield; Nate Smith, Arkansas; Albert Suarez, Arkansas.

Manager of the Year - RODNEY LINARES, CORPUS CHRISTI

Pitcher of the Year - Nate Smith, Arkansas

Player of the Year - Chad Pinder, Midland

Mike Coolbaugh Texas League Coach of the Year - Jimmy Jones, San Antonio

Check out the Corpus Christi Hooks Statistics

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