Indians Top 100 Prospects: #88 Sung-Wei Tseng ~ Indians Prospect Insider

Friday, January 16, 2009

Indians Top 100 Prospects: #88 Sung-Wei Tseng

1:21 AM Tony No comments

88. Sung-Wei Tseng - Right-handed Pitcher
Born: 12/28/1984 - Height: 5'10" - Weight: 195 - Bats: Right - Throws: Right

Year	Age	Team	Lvl	W	L	ERA	G	GS	SV	IP	H	ER	HR	BB	K	BB/9	K/9	WHIP
2007	22	Kinston	A+	6	9	4.05	26	26	0	140.0	130	63	10	47	92	3.0	5.9	1.26
2008	23	Kinston	A+	0	8	5.27	30	3	1	54.2	60	32	9	27	44	4.4	7.2	1.59
	23	Akron	AA	0	0	8.80	9	0	0	15.1	21	15	3	6	12	3.5	7.0	1.76
		Career		6	17	4.71	65	29	1	210.0	211	110	22	80	148	3.4	6.3	1.39

History: Tseng was signed as an undrafted free agent out of Taiwan in July of 2006. Prior to signing, he pitched for the National Taiwan College of Physical Education and went 7-0 with a 0.36 ERA (73.2 IP, 3 ER, 29 H, 8 BB, 73 K).

Strengths & Opportunities: Tseng has a compact build with above average velocity and good movement on his fastball which consistently sits in the 91-94 MPH range. He throws five pitches, but his best pitch is a nasty split-fingered fastball which bottoms out well and is considered a swing-and-miss pitch at the major league level. He is a very refined pitcher, and he also has very good control. He is also not afraid to come inside on hitters, and has very clean arm action on his fastball.

Tseng initially broke in with the Indians as a starting pitcher at advanced Single-A Kinston in 2007 to stretch him out, work on his pitches, and be exposed to many different game situations, but going forward his future is in the bullpen. After struggling early in the 2008 season at Double-A Akron, the Indians re-assigned him down to Kinston to get his mechanics straightened out. Kinston pitching coach Greg Hibbard found a flaw in Tseng's mechanics which was affecting his velocity where he was rushing through his delivery causing him to leave his arm behind his body. He also worked on tightening up his slider by solidifying the grip, his hand position at release, and getting better rotation on the pitch. He also needs more work on commanding the fastball down in the zone. He has been learning English since he came into the organization, and his communication skills have improved greatly and he is adapting well to the English language.

Outlook: Tseng still projects as a good bullpen arm, and he physically resembles major league pitcher Tom Gordon. He should open the 2009 season in the Double-A Akron bullpen.