Jae-gyun

Hwang

Morosi writes that Hwang is the “top position player expected to come from Asia” this offseason, so plenty of scouts should be in attendance for the workout. The 29-year-old owns a .285/.349/.433 batting line over 10 seasons in the Korea Baseball Organization. He amassed 26 homers and 104 RBI over 118 games this past season with the Lotte Giants.

Hwang held a showcase for roughly 20 MLB teams back in November, but there’s been little in the way of chatter since. The 29-year-old owns a .285/.349/.433 batting line over 10 seasons in the Korea Baseball Organization. He slugged 26 homers over 118 games last year with the Lotte Giants. Adding Hwang would give the Giants additional flexibility as they look toward 2017. Eduardo Nunez could be an option for left field depending on how things play out this winter.

It sounds like a matter of a due diligence more than anything else, as Berardino writes that there’s no fit at the moment. Miguel Sano currently projects to be the Twins’ primary third baseman and fellow Korean Byung Ho Park will likely get another chance out of the DH spot. Jon Morosi of MLB Network reported about a week ago that the Giants are showing continued interest. Hwang, 29, owns a .285/.349/.433 batting line over 10 seasons in the Korea Baseball Organization.

Hwang’s former team, the Lotte Giants of the Korea Baseball Organization, tried hard to re-sign the 29-year-old, but Hwang is committed to testing himself in the majors. The Giants, Brewers and Tigers have shown the most interest in Hwang, who said his priority is to sign with a team “that gives him the best opportunity to compete for a job.” Hwang batted .335/.394/.570 with 27 home runs, 113 RBI and 25 stolen bases last season in Korea.

Baggarly says Hwang will be paid $1.5 million if he makes the major league roster. The 29-year-old is coming off a big season with the Lotte Giants when he put up a .330/.391/.558 batting line with 26 home runs, 104 RBI and 24 stolen bases. He will compete for a bench job with the Giants but could potentially push Eduardo Nunez to a super utility role if he fares well.

Hwang had a freak accident at batting practice, getting hit in the head by a grounder that took a bad hop. Tim Federowicz will DH in his absence. The 29-year-old from South Korea has had a productive spring so far, hitting .321 with three homers and eight RBI over 28 at-bats.

Hwang was checked for concussion symptoms after taking a bad-hop grounder off the left side of his forehead Saturday, but he said he’s fine. Hwang is competing for a bench job.

The 29-year-old will make $1.5 million should he make the big league roster. He was a monster at the dish in his final season in the Korean Baseball Organization, slashing .330/.391/.558 with 26 homers, 104 RBI and 24 stolen bases. With a strong spring, he could earn a bench spot on the club’s Opening Day roster.

Hwang is an interesting one to watch this spring. 2017 will be his first year playing in America, as the Giants signed him out of the KBO near the end of January. The 29-year-old infielder absolutely crushed it last season with the Lotte Giants, slashing .330/.391/.558 with 26 homers, 104 RBI and 24 steals. He has a chance to make the Opening Day roster and could potentially push Eduardo Nunez for playing time at third base if he truly impresses.

Hwang clubbed a two-run homer in a seven-run fourth inning before tacking on two more runs with a single in the eighth. After coming over from Japan over the winter, the 29-year-old has impressed during Cactus League action by hitting .349 (15-for-43) with five homers and an 1.100 OPS. Despite the strong showing, he could begin the year with Triple-A Sacramento.