Spring Report: How Winning Develops
Published on March 29, 2015 under Texas League (TL1)
Corpus Christi Hooks News Release
Kissimmee, Fla. - If you are curious about the relationship between developing prospects and winning at the minor-league level, just ask Hooks manager Rodney Linares.
"They go hand-in-hand," the first-year Corpus Christi skipper said. "You don't develop players if you don't win. I think it's hard to develop while you are losing."
Linares has not experienced much of the latter, winning a pair of California League Championships in the last three campaigns. In 2013, Linares earned manager-of-the-year honors. His JetHawks carved out an 82-58 record, winning the second half (43-27) by a nine-game margin. Lancaster lost to Inland Empire in the division finals.
"You are only as good as your players," Linares said. "I had a great staff (in Lancaster) and I'm going to have a great one this year."
Linares' 2015 field staff is bullish on major league experience with the likes of Doug Brocail (pitching), Dan Radison (hitting) and Tom Lawless (infield). Brocail returns after serving with the Hooks on an interim basis last season.
"It's been great working with Rodney," Brocail said. "Here's a guy that's won two championships in the last three years, and the kids love him. We communicate very well and we've had a blast down here.
A native of San Pedro de Macoris in the Dominican Republic, Linares has rolled up 234 wins against 186 losses (.557 winning percentage) in the last three seasons. The 37-year-old stands 438-460 in his eight-year managerial career.
"I'm excited and blessed for the opportunity to go up there and try and help Corpus Christi win a championship and develop some really good talent that we have here in the Astros organization."
Houston manager A.J. Hinch is new to the system but was quick to comment on his Corpus Christi counterpart.
"Rodney has won everywhere he's gone and developed players," Hinch said. "You develop players by developing winning habits and teaching winning baseball. Players execute, and when the talent is there, you win."
"For me as a major league manager, you want your guys (in the minors) playing the game the right way, you want them to understand game situations and you want them prepared to play in the big leagues."
Of the 30 players listed on Houston's current spring roster, 12 have experienced significant seasoning in the Astros farm system.
"There's a lot of early work that goes into it," Hinch continued. "A lot of extra time that managers and coaches in the minor leagues have to spend with these guys because they are not finished products. This commitment is what you are looking for when you are an organization built on developing players."
Texas League Stories from March 29, 2015
- Spring Report: How Winning Develops - Corpus Christi Hooks
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