FIELD STAFF
OMAR LOPEZ
MANAGER
Omar Lopez begins his first season as Corpus Christi ’ s field chief in 2018 .
Lopez , the seventh skipper in the 14-year history of the Hooks , enters his 20th campaign with the Astros organization .
Last season , Lopez , 41 , guided the Advanced A Buies Creek Astros to a 74-65 record , which topped the Carolina League Southern Division . Four Astros earned all-star honors , including outfielder Myles Straw who was placed on the mid-and-postseason squads .
Following the regular year , Lopez managed the Mesa Solar Sox of the Arizona Fall League , a showcase circuit for the game ’ s best prospects . The Solar Sox , outfitted with farmhands from the Astros , A ’ s , Cubs , Nationals and Tigers organizations , lost to Peoria in the AFL championship game .
Lopez has won two Venezuelan Professional Baseball League championships in four years as manager of Caribes de Anzoategui . Caribes claimed the crown this winter , defeating Cardinales de Lara , 4-2 , in the title series . In his first year as skipper , Lopez was named 2014-15 LVBP Manager of the Year after piloting Anzoategui to a 39-24 record and circuit title .
His other managerial stops include Class A Quad Cities ( 2013-14 , 2016 ), Advanced A Lancaster ( 2015 ), Rookie Level Greeneville ( 2011-12 ), Gulf Coast League ( 2009-10 ) and Venezuelan Summer League ( 2007-08 ).
A native of Valencia , Venezuela , Lopez led Quad Cities to an 81-57 finish and a Midwest League title in 2013 . Carlos Correa hit . 320 with 33 doubles , nine home runs , 86 RBIs and 10 stolen bases in 117 games for the River Bandits , earning MWL Mid-and- Postseason All-Star honors .
Two years later , Lopez ’ s Lancaster club finished 10 games over . 500 at 75-65 . The JetHawks earned a wildcard postseason berth but lost to High Desert in the California League Mini Series .
In 2010 , he was named Astros Player Development Man of the Year for his efforts to mentor the organization ’ s Spanish speaking prospects through their first year of professional baseball in the United States .
Lopez was the first manager of future American League MVP Jose Altuve . With the 2007 Venezuelan Summer League Astros , the 17-year-old Altuve hit . 343 with 40 runs scored , 36 RBIs , and a . 429 on-base average in 64 assignments . The club posted a 48-22 record , and won the VSL championship . Lopez was instrumental in sending Altuve stateside the following year .
A full-time scout from 1999-2007 , he was a hitting and infield instructor in the Astros Venezuelan program before beginning his managerial career in 2007 .
Lopez played three minor league seasons as an infielder with the Chicago White Sox ( 1996-97 ) and Arizona Diamondbacks ( 1998 ).
Omar and his wife , Helen , make their home in Orlando , Fla . They have two children , Omar Eduardo and Emily Gabriela .
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