NASHVILLE–Minor League Baseball made official its hiring of former Astros GM Tim Purpura as executive vice president and chief operating officer, essentially taking over the position of president elect Pat O’Conner.

Purpura, 49, and O’Conner have ties through the Astros, where Purpura worked in player development for 14 years before being dismissed after three years as GM this offseason. O’Conner worked in the Astros player development system before joining MILB 15 years ago.

"We are delighted that Tim Purpura will be joining our staff in January," O’Conner said in a release. "Tim has experience in virtually every faced of baseball which will enhance our operations and complement the talented staff in St. Petersburg (Fla.). I am grateful to Tim for accepting the challenge and agreeing to join the staff of Minor League Baseball."

I am trying to track down Purpura for a comment here at the Gaylord Oprey before departing for the airport, however that is no easy task at the expansive resort. If not today, we’ll have more on his hiring tomorrow.