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Hank Conger
Hyun Choi "Hank" Conger (born January 29, 1988) is an American former professional baseball catcher and current coach who serves as the assistant bench coach and catching coach for the Minnesota Twins of Major League Baseball (MLB). Conger was selected in the first round, with the 25th overall selection, of the 2006 MLB draft. He played in MLB for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Houston Astros, and Tampa Bay Rays from 2010 to 2016. Conger coached for the Lotte Giants of the KBO League from 2020 to 2021 before joining the Twins as a coach in 2022. Early lifeConger was born in Federal Way, Washington, but was raised in Huntington Beach, California. Conger's mother, Eun, immigrated from South Korea in 1986 and his father, Yun, was adopted from Korea by a United States Navy petty officer and raised in the United States.[1][2] Conger originally played basketball due to his size, but began playing baseball at the age of eight and turned his focus there instead. Conger graduated from Huntington Beach High School in 2006, where he was a second team All-American and Gatorade Player of the Year.[3] Conger had planned to attend the University of Southern California if he had not been drafted in the first round.[1] Professional careerLos Angeles Angels of Anaheim The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim selected Conger in the first round, with the 25th overall selection, of the 2006 Major League Baseball draft. He was selected to represent the United States in the 2010 All-Star Futures Game. He hit a three-run home run, earning him MVP honors.[4] He was promoted to the major leagues as part of September call-ups on September 7, 2010.[5] He made his major league debut on September 11, 2010, as a pinch hitter for Hideki Matsui. His first hit in the major leagues came off of Cleveland Indians pitcher Jeanmar Gómez on September 15, 2010.[6] His first home run came off of Jeff Niemann on April 5, 2011. On July 19, 2011, Conger was optioned to the Salt Lake Bees of the Class AAA Pacific Coast League (PCL) to make room on the Angels' active roster for Tyler Chatwood. At the time, Conger was hitting .194 and opponents had been successful at stealing bases 48 out of 56 attempts against him. On August 18, 2011, the Angels recalled Conger.[7] Houston AstrosOn November 5, 2014, the Angels traded Conger to the Houston Astros in exchange for Nick Tropeano and Carlos Perez.[8] Despite hitting 11 homers in a part time role for the Astros, Conger did not control the running game. Tampa Bay RaysOn December 2, 2015, the Tampa Bay Rays acquired Conger for cash considerations.[9] Conger opened the 2016 season in a platoon with Curt Casali.[10] Conger hit .194 before being optioned to the Durham Bulls on July 11, 2016.[11] Arizona DiamondbacksConger signed a minor league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks on February 9, 2017.[12] He played in 58 games for the Triple–A Reno Aces, batting .239/.316/.394 with six home runs and 40 RBI.[13] Conger was released by the Diamondbacks organization on July 28.[14] Pericos de PueblaOn May 4, 2018, Conger signed with the Pericos de Puebla of the Mexican League. He was released on July 11. Post-playing careerLotte GiantsOn December 24, 2019, Conger joined the coaching staff of the Lotte Giants of the Korea Baseball Organization as the new catching coach.[15] Minnesota TwinsOn December 10, 2021, the Minnesota Twins hired Conger as the first base and catching coach.[16] See alsoReferences
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