Ching-Lung Lo
| IP | 846 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 4.926 |
| WHIP | 1.465 |
| BB/9 | 3.415 |
| SO/9 | 6.096 |
- Full name Ching-Lung Lo
- Born 08/20/1985 in Qi Shan, Taiwan
- Profile Ht.: 6'6" / Wt.: 190 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School Kao Yaun
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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After watching Lo's slow development for four years in the lower levels, the Rockies finally decided to allow him to return to his natural approach to pitching last year. They quit trying to create more of a downhill plane in his delivery, allowing him to use the Asian pitching style of leaning on his back leg. It doesn't produce the arm angle the Rockies want, but his body responded to the return of his natural arm slot. They also allowed him to put the forkball back in his assortment. Lo made big strides during the fall in Hawaii Winter Baseball, where his performance was uneven but his stuff improved. Working again with pitching coach Butch Hughes, who had him in high Class A during the summer, Lo was pitching at 92-93 mph with his fastball in Hawaii, several ticks below his peak when he signed for $1.4 million as a 16-year-old, but better than where he was at the end of the 2005 season when he tired and was sitting in the upper 80s. He showed a regained confidence when he was able to use his forkball instead of a straight changeup as his primary secondary pitch. He has some looping action in his slurvy slider, but Hughes has helped clean up that pitch, too. Lo figures to move to Double-A this year. -
The Rockies have been protective of Lo since signing him for $1.4 million out of Taiwan's Kolo Yuan High, also the alma mater of Chin-Hui Tsao. That strategy hasn't paid off, as Lo repeated low Class A last season and yet made little progress. He developed looseness in his shoulder, and his fastball dropped from 94 mph at the end of spring training to 86 by the end of the season. After not allowing him to throw his splitter in his first three years as a pro, Colorado gave it back to him in 2005, but it didn't help much. His slider is still inconsistent, and he uses the splitter for the most part in lieu of a changeup. The one area in which he did make notable progress was command, as he cut his walk rate per nine innings from 4.3 to 2.8. Lo probably needs a third year in Asheville, which wouldn't be the worst thing in the world because he's still just 20. -
The Rockies have brought Lo along slowly since signing him for $1.4 million out of Taiwan's Koio Yuan High, which is also the alma mater of Chin-Hui Tsao. Lo made his pro debut as a 16-year-old, and Colorado wants to make sure he's physically ready for each challenge he faces. He opened the 2004 season in extended spring training, then split time between the rotation and bullpen in low Class A in order to restrict his workload. Lo has started to fill out his tall, rangy frame and still has more room for physical projection. His fastball velocity was down at Asheville, but he was consistently popping 92-93 mph by the end of the fall in instructional league. Roving pitching instructor Jim Wright helped Lo get his mind off his mechanics by simply playing catch in the outfield, which helped him get back to his natural delivery. He'll start throwing his splitter again in 2005 after putting it on the shelf the last three years to avoid strain on his elbow. His slider needs to be more consistent and he has to develop an offspeed pitch he can use to get out of jams. His control slipped a bit last year, but he's still a teenager and has plenty of time to make refinements. Lo will open 2005 in high Class A. -
Lo signed for $1.4 million out of Taiwan's Koio Yuan High, the same school that produced Chin-Hui Tsao. Lo tied for the short-season Northwest League in losses in 2003, but his 10th-place finish in ERA is more telling of how well he pitched. The Taiwanese national team hoped to use Lo in the Asian Games, but the Rockies denied permission so they could limit his workload. Lo enters his third pro season at 18 and he already throws an 89-90 mph sinker. He can turn his velocity up in key situations and should add more as he fills out his upper body. He has improved his changeup in his two seasons in the United States. He also has the mental toughness to battle through mistakes and adversity. Lo's slider is inconsistent, though it shows flashes of being a plus pitch. He needs to throw it more often in order to improve it. As with many tall, thin athletes, he can look awkward and have difficulty repeating his delivery at times. The Rockies won't rush Lo as they let him build up strength. Headed to Asheville for his first year of full-season ball, he may not get to Colorado until late 2007. -
Lo, perhaps better known by his nickname "Dragon," made his pro debut last year at 16. Not only did he have to deal with being the youngest player in U.S. pro ball, but he also faced cultural adjustments. He signed for $1.4 million out of Taiwan's Koio Yuan High, the same school that produced Chin-Hui Tsao. He held his own in the Pioneer League even though the Rockies wouldn't let him throw his slider and splitter, his two liveliest pitches, until he gets stronger. Colorado closely monitored his development as he worked with an 88-90 mph sinker and a plus changeup. Maturing physically and adapting to pitching on a regular basis are Lo's points of emphasis for now. He spent the winter working out in Denver, where he benefited from the presence of Tsao. Lo most likely will return to Casper in 2003. -
Lo is Colorado's second major signing out of Taiwan, after No. 1 prospect Chin-Hui Tsao, and an indication of its growing efforts on the international front. The Rockies beat out the Braves, Dodgers, Mariners, Red Sox and Yankees to get Lo under contract, surprising the competition to sign Lo for $1.4 million. He attended Koio Yuan High, which is also Tsao's alma mater, and helped Taiwan win the junior Asia Cup tournament in September. Lo beat Australia 14-4 in the semifinals, working five innings and giving up two hits with eight strikeouts. Taiwan beat Japan 2-0 later in the day to win the title. Lo goes by the nickname Dragon. Lo has a full assortment of pitches, including a 93 mph fastball. He also has a slider and a splitter. Despite his youth, he has fluid mechanics. Lo is young and inexperienced. He has dominated in Taiwan but will have work ahead to make the adjustments to professional baseball, which will be as much cultural as physical. He is still growing and filling out his large frame and he needs to get stronger, which will happen once he gets started on a regular conditioning program. Lo will report to extended spring training before spending his first pro season with Rookie-level Casper. Much like they did with Tsao, the Rockies will be reluctant to move him quickly, wanting to give Lo a chance to adapt to the United States without any more distractions than necessary.
Minor League Top Prospects
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The youngest player in the league at 17, Lo held his own against advanced hitters. He showed the potential for three above-average pitches: a lively 88-92 fastball, a solid changeup and a slider that has shown flashes. His breaking ball has improved from a year ago, when he rarely used it. Lo should continue to grow stronger (and possibly taller), and adding bulk to his legs and hips could help push his fastball into the mid-90s. He struggles with his mechanics because he's growing so fast that at times he's awkward. "He's got a high ceiling," McFarland said. "He has an overpowering fastball when he wants to, but his offspeed stuff isn't near Hernandez. But with his arm strength, he has the ability to have a dominating fastball." -
The youngest player in pro ball didn't turn 17 until Aug. 20, but still was throwing 88-90 mph. With his youth and lanky frame, Lo ranks as one of the most projectable pitchers in the game. His delivery is already pretty sound. In addition to his sinking fastball, Lo throws an above-average changeup and a slurve. He came to the Rockies with an average splitter as well, but the organization scrapped it to avoid the possibility of injury. Similar concerns forced the team to limit his workload as well. Lo would make one start, then throw two innings out of the bullpen instead of making his next scheduled start. He showed incredible maturity and intelligence on the mound and adapting from Taiwan to the United States. Lo started the season with an interpreter, but advanced so much with his English that he didn't require one for mound visits in the second half.
