Infielder Jae-gyun Hwang was voted most impressive for the San Francisco Giants in Spring Training (.333BA, 5 Home Runs)

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Jae-gyun Hwang has tried to learn as many English words and phrases as possible as he acclimated himself with the Giants this spring.

He picked up three of the most important words in the club’s first full-squad workout in February.

I got it.

“The first day of practice, we are taking fly balls and I said, `OK! OK!’” Hwang said through Korean interpreter Mark Kim. “The coaches came over and told me, `No, you have to say, I got it.’”

On so many levels, Hwang got it this spring. He fit well on the field and in the clubhouse. His jovial nature and confidence knew no language barriers. His game translated well, too. He is hitting .308 with four home runs.

And on Saturday, the players voted Hwang as the Barney Nugent Award winner, honoring the most impressive player who was appearing in his first major league camp. Hwang, a six-time All-Star in the Korean Baseball Organization, celebrated by collecting the bases-loaded single in the ninth inning that lifted the Giants to an 8-7 exhibition victory over the San Diego Padres.

Although Hwang remains in camp, the Giants plan to ask him to begin the season at Triple-A Sacramento where they can gain a deeper evaluation of his skills. Hwang has the option to escape his contract if he isn’t on the major league roster, but he gave every indication that he is willing to prove himself further in the Pacific Coast League.

“Honestly to this point, I’ve only shown fans and teammates and coaches home runs,” Hwang said in Korean. “That’s about it. There’s a lot more that I could show everyone. If it be that I get sent down to Triple-A and start the season there, I’d be really looking to work especially on my defense in left field and show that I’m a really versatile player — my defense, my running, and everything else I wasn’t able to show up to this point. Playing day to day would definitely help to be able to show all that.”

The Giants are full at third base, with Conor Gillaspie and likely Aaron Hill as fallback options in case Eduardo Nuñez’s sore shoulder is not ready by opening day.

It would have been almost impossible for Hwang to win a roster spot out of camp, but he still accomplished something important here. He won quite a bit of faith.

“It was my first time coming over to the States to play baseball and I really wanted to work hard and show I belong here,” Hwang said. “I think my teammates have noticed at least a little bit how hard I am ready to work for the team. So that was the most appreciative part.”

Head athletic trainer Dave Groeschner called Hwang into the middle of the clubhouse during the morning meeting. He told players about Nugent, a beloved late former trainer with the club, and then bestowed the award on the 29-year-old rookie who hazed himself when he arrived at the ballpark wearing a ridiculous amount of green on St. Patrick’s Day.

Giants manager Bruce Bochy also raved about Hwang, not only for the way he has performed on the field but how comfortable he has gotten with his teammates.

“The players love him,” Bochy said. “He comes out here early every day, working on first base and left field. He’s been inspiring, the way he gets after it.”

Said Hwang: “There’s not much difficulty in terms of transitioning. I’m very comfortable and satisfied with everything on the baseball field and off the baseball field. The only thing as of now that I am still trying to learn and get accustomed to is the difference in the strike zone. “

If his spring performance is any indication, he’ll get it.

Source: Giants honor Jae-gyun Hwang with award, then he delivers game-winning hit – The Mercury News