Quick Facts
Biography
Hyun Choi "Hank" Conger (born January 29, 1988) is an American professional baseball catcher in the Arizona Diamondbacks organization. He previously played for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and Houston Astros. He is of Korean descent.
Background
Conger was born in Federal Way, Washington, but raised in Huntington Beach, California. 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 on attending the University of Southern California if he had not been drafted in the first round.
Professional career
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Conger was drafted 25th overall by the Angels in 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 AAA Salt Lake Bees to make room 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.
Houston Astros
On November 5, 2014, he was traded to the Houston Astros in exchange for Nick Tropeano and Carlos Perez. Despite hitting 11 homers in a part time role for the Astros, Conger did not control the running game. Opposing base runners stole 42 out of 43 times off of Conger, the worst in MLB.
Tampa Bay Rays
On December 2, 2015, the Tampa Bay Rays acquired Conger for cash considerations. Conger opened the 2016 season in a platoon with Curt Casali. Conger hit .194 before being optioned to the Durham Bulls on July 11, 2016.