Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Twins Sign Pitcher from Taiwan

According to Baseball America, the Twins signed a right-handed pitcher from Taiwan last June for $60,000. His name is Chen Hung-yi. He is an 18-year-old right-handed pitcher who has pitched on Taiwan’s national team in some international competitions. He is just 5-10 and stocky. His fastball is thrown around 87 mph although he has hit 91 on a radar gun. He also throws a sinker, slider and a forkball, although I wonder if the Twins would let him throw that pitch early in his career. He is also working on a changeup that will be very important for him if he wants to move forward. He is now on his way to Ft. Myers where he will join the Twins Extended Spring Training participants. He should pitch some for the GCL Twins this year.

The Twins continue to make their presence known all around the globe. He joins Lin Wang-Wei as the Twins signed from Taiwan.

According to this interview with Cary Broder, the Twins scout located in Taiwan who signed Chen Hung-yi, the Twins signed him last year. He also discusses the process and his involvement in the Twins signing of Tsuyoshi Nishioka, and much more. It is a terrific interview.

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them here.

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Pacific Rim, spending $60,000 in June to land 18-year-old righthander Hung Yi Chen, the youngest of five Taiwanese players who signed with major league teams last year. Chen pitched for Taiwan at the 18U Junior World Championship in Thunder Bay, Canada, in July, allowing three runs in six innings with five strikeouts and one walk in his appearance against Italy. With a stocky 5-foot-10 frame, Chen sits around 85-87 mph but has hit 91. He throws strikes with a fastball, sinker, slider and forkball with good arm action and a repeatable delivery. He keeps the ball down and has good feel for pitching, so he should make his debut this summer in the GCL

The Twins also were active in the Pacific Rim, spending $60,000 in June to land 18-year-old righthander Hung Yi Chen, the youngest of five Taiwanese players who signed with major league teams last year. Chen pitched for Taiwan at the 18U Junior World Championship in Thunder Bay, Canada, in July, allowing three runs in six innings with five strikeouts and one walk in his appearance against Italy. With a stocky 5-foot-10 frame, Chen sits around 85-87 mph but has hit 91. He throws strikes with a fastball, sinker, slider and forkball with good arm action and a repeatable delivery. He keeps the ball down and has good feel for pitching, so he should make his debut this summer in the GCL

The Twins also were active in the Pacific Rim, spending $60,000 in June to land 18-year-old righthander Hung Yi Chen, the youngest of five Taiwanese players who signed with major league teams last year. Chen pitched for Taiwan at the 18U Junior World Championship in Thunder Bay, Canada, in July, allowing three runs in six innings with five strikeouts and one walk in his appearance against Italy. With a stocky 5-foot-10 frame, Chen sits around 85-87 mph but has hit 91. He throws strikes with a fastball, sinker, slider and forkball with good arm action and a repeatable delivery. He keeps the ball down and has good feel for pitching, so he should make his debut this summer in the GCL

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