NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Astros have hired Alonzo Powell as their assistant hitting coach, manager A.J. Hinch said Monday. Powell, who spent the last four years with the Padres, replaces Alan Zinter, who became the hitting coach in San Diego.
Powell, 50, was hitting coach for the Mariners' Triple-A affiliate in Tacoma from 2008-10 before taking over as interim hitting coach for the Mariners in May 2010 when Alan Cockrell was relieved of his duties. Powell returned as Tacoma's hitting coach in 2011, when the team set a franchise record for runs (893) with a .289 batting average.