The Houston Astros announced today that the club has named Mike Barnett as hitting coordinator.  The announcement was made by Assistant General Manager/Player Development Ricky Bennett.

Barnett joins the Astros organization after serving as the hitting coach for the Kansas City Royals from 2006-08. From 2002-05, he was the hitting coach for the Toronto Blue Jays.

“Mike will be a tremendous asset to our staff and organization,” said Bennett. “His reputation for being a tireless worker and his passion for hitting will serve our players well as they climb our development ladder. Mike’s knowledge, experience and background will only enhance our hitting program.”

Barnett also spent four seasons from 1998-2001 as hitting coach for Triple A Tucson of the Arizona Diamondbacks organization. Prior to that, he served as hitting coach at all levels with the Chicago White Sox from 1990-97. He spent two seasons on the coaching staff of the University of Tennessee from 1988-89 following a six-year stint as an assistant administrator of baseball operations for the New York Yankees from 1982-87. A graduate of Ohio University, Barnett resides in Knoxville, Tenn., with his two children.

Former administrative coach Al Pedrique will begin his first season as field coordinator after being named to the role in October, and the remainder of the Astros minor league coordinators will remain the same from the 2008 season.

Britt Burns enters his second season with the organization as the minor league pitching coordinator; Gary Redus returns for his second season as outfield/baserunning instructor after spending 2007 in the Pittsburgh system; Danny Sheaffer will return for a second season as catching instructor; Jaime Garcia returns for his third season as the minor league assistant pitching coordinator; Mike Smith begins his third season as minor league strength and conditioning coordinator; and Pete Fagan will start his eighth season in the Astros system as