Hank Conger
Hyun Choi "Hank" Conger is an American former professional baseball catcher who currently serves as the bullpen coach for the Baltimore Orioles of Major League Baseball. Conger was selected in the first round of the 2006 MLB draft by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. He played in MLB for the Angels, Houston Astros, and Tampa Bay Rays from 2010 to 2016. Conger coached for the Lotte Giants of the KBO League from 2020 to 2021, and the Minnesota Twins from 2022 to 2025.
Early life
Conger 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.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. Conger had planned to attend the University of Southern California if he had not been drafted in the first round.
Professional career
Los 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.He was promoted to the major leagues as part of September call-ups on September 7, 2010. 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. 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 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.