Chin-Feng Chen

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Los Angeles Dodgers #16 prospect in 2004
  Chen became the first Taiwanese player to reach the majors in 2002, and he hit .579 with three homers in 19 at-bats in big league camp. That still wasn't enough to crack the Dodgers outfield, so he spent his second consecutive season in Triple-A. After becoming the first player in high Class A California League history to join the 30-30 club in his 1999 pro debut, Chen looked like a multitooled phenom on the fast track to Chavez Ravine. Four years later, his below-average tools are preventing him from advancing and the Dodgers are counting on his lone plus attribute (power) to carry him to the majors. A dead-red fastball hitter, Chen is capable of producing 30 homers annually in the majors. He generates power to all fields with quick, strong wrists and above-average bat speed. He swings and misses too often, though. In the outfield, his arm is a liability and he doesn't read balls off the bat well enough to compensate for his lack of range. The Dodgers tried to make him a full-time first baseman in 2002, but his footwork was terrible. A key cog in Taiwan's lineup, Chen led the World Cup in home runs in 2001 and his 6-for-12 performance in the Asian Games last fall helped his country earn a berth in the 2004 Olympics. They'll have to play without him if he's in the big leagues in August.
• 
  Ranked Los Angeles Dodgers #10 prospect in 2003
  Rated as the No. 1 prospect in the organization after turning in an unprecedented 30-30 season in the high Class A California League during his 1999 pro debut, Chen hasn't displayed the same explosiveness on the bases or at the plate since shoulder surgery in 2000. He moved to first base last year, but didn't take to the new position and will head back to left field in 2003. Chen has quick wrists and generates raw power with plus bat speed. He shows well-above-average juice to the opposite field. While he doesn't get a good jump out of the box, Chen is a smooth, athletic runner once he gets under way. Chen is a streak hitter, and when he's not on he swings and misses a lot. His first move is away at the plate, leaving him vulnerable to pitches on the outer half. Defense isn't his strong suit. Chen's footwork around first base was horrendous, and he's a tentative outfielder with a below-average arm. Chen can still be a productive major league corner outfielder. The questions are whether it will be in Los Angeles and whether a club will tolerate his lofty strikeout totals. Unless he's traded or an injury creates an opening, he's headed back to Triple-A. By playing in three games with the Dodgers in 2002, Chen became the first player from Taiwan to play in the big leagues.
• 
  Ranked Los Angeles Dodgers #2 prospect in 2002
  The Dodgers' top prospect after the 1999 season before falling a notch following 2000, Chen overcame offseason surgery on his right shoulder to reestablish himself as a top prospect. He regained his stroke in the first half as a DH at high Class A Vero Beach before crushing the ball in Double-A. He also displayed his power for host Taiwan in the World Cup in November. Chen has middle-of-the-lineup power and makes quick adjustments. He kills fastballs and is adept at hitting breaking pitches. While his speed is below-average, Chen is an effective baserunner because of his solid instincts. The Dodgers want to see Chen have continued success against better competition. He needs to stay healthy and keep making adjustments against veteran pitchers. Even for a left fielder, his arm is average at best. Chen is back on track toward becoming the first Taiwanese player to reach the major leagues. He has proven to be resilient and has the tools of a run producer. His next stop should be Triple-A, with a September callup to Los Angeles a possibility.
• 
  Ranked Los Angeles Dodgers #2 prospect in 2001
  Chen had a difficult first season in Double-A. Named the organization's top prospect in 1999 after becoming the first 30-30 performer in high Class A California League history, Chen hit .344 last April but just .262 with four homers during the season's final four months. He ended the season ranked as the 20th-best prospect in the Texas League. Chen is the most natural baseball player and has the best power in the system. He has good instincts on the basepaths and in the field. He also possesses above-average strength and the hitting ability to be a middle-of-the-lineup run producer in the majors. While his throws are accurate, his arm strength is below-average. His speed is no better than average, which led to his being caught 15 times in 38 steal attempts last year. When slumping, Chen has difficulty catching up to plus fastballs. Chen had surgery to remove scar tissue in his right shoulder after a strong start in the Arizona Fall League. Despite a difficult 2000, he's still on pace to become the first Taiwanese native to reach the majors. His performance this spring will determine whether he returns to Double-A or moves up to Triple-A.
• 
  Ranked Los Angeles Dodgers #2 prospect in 1999
  Background: Chen will be the first Taiwanese player in the North American minor leagues since 1975. The Dodgers signed him to a $680,000 bonus after this winter's Asian Games, where he homered off Chan Ho Park. Chen had been his national team's leading slugger and youngest player for two years. In eight international tournaments over the past two years, he has hit more than .400 with 40 home runs. Strengths: Chen was signed primarily for his offensive potential. He projects above-average power and is already a polished offensive performer. Weaknesses: At Chen's first Dodger Stadium workout, he swung a wood bat for the first time, so there likely will be an adjustment period with the change from aluminum. He may also have to leave center field as he gets older and stronger. The Future: The Dodgers signed the first significant players from Korea (Park) and Japan (Hideo Nomo), so it is only fitting that they have the first premium prospect from Taiwan. Unless he surprises in spring training, Chen will probably debut at Class A San Bernardino.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked Southern League #16 prospect in 2001
  Deemed the Dodgers' top position prospect for the past two years despite a decline in power, Chen saw his potent swing return to normal after he had surgery to remove scar tissue from his right shoulder last fall. After spending the first half of the season at high Class A Vero Beach, Chen thumped Southern League pitching and finished with combined totals of .290-22-91. Chen showed he has the power to be a middle-of-the-lineup hitter. He makes quick adjustments at the plate and is equally adept at hitting fastballs and breaking pitches. Though not particularly fast, he also proved to be an effective baserunner with outstanding baseball instincts. "Chen is a hitter. There's no doubt about that," Shoemaker said. "He's swinging the bat as well as he has in two years now that he got his shoulder fixed." Chen isn't as gifted defensively. His arm is no better than average for left field, and he doesn't do an exceptional job of cutting off balls hit in the gap. Nevertheless, he's poised to become the first native of Taiwan to reach the major leagues.
• 
  Ranked Texas League #20 prospect in 2000
  Chen took the high Class A California League by storm in his pro debut last year, winning the MVP award and turning in the first 30-30 season in league history. He continued to hit in April, batting .344, then tailed off to .262 with four homers over the final four months. He struck out far too often as pitchers blew fastballs by him. While he stole 23 bases, he was caught 15 times, making him less than effective. His most conspicuous shortcoming was his arm, which one scout called the worst in the league. Chen is only 22, so he has time to turn himself around. While he remains a prospect, he was a major disappointment in 2000.
• 
  Ranked California League #1 prospect in 1999
  The first Taiwanese product to play for a major league organization in nearly a quarter century, Chen signed with the Dodgers in January and missed time only because of a September departure to play for Taiwan in the Asian Games. Managers named Chen, who possesses remarkable bat-head accuracy, the league's best hitting prospect and best power prospect. The power was expected, while the steals were not. "His baserunning has exceeded expectations," Stampede manager Rick Burleson said. "He's become very explosive. He still has to learn how to run the bases better, outside of pickoff situations, and he could pick his (steal) spots a little better, but that's the area he's shown most improvement in." Chen's defense has a ways to go. His routes to balls and aggressiveness in charging liners and hits are a bit tentative, as if he's too conscious of making a mistake. "It's all very correctable, though," Burleson said.

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #64 prospect in 2002
• Ranked Baseball America's #86 prospect in 2001
• Ranked Baseball America's #17 prospect in 2000

• December, 1999 Scouting Report
  Chen took the high Class A California League by storm in his pro debut last year, winning the MVP award and turning in the first 30-30 season in league history. He continued to hit in April, batting .344, then tailed off to .262 with four homers over the final four months. He struck out far too often as pitchers blew fastballs by him. While he stole 23 bases, he was caught 15 times, making him less than effective. His most conspicuous shortcoming was his arm, which one scout called the worst in the league. Chen is only 22, so he has time to turn himself around. While he remains a prospect, he was a major disappointment in 2000.