Chih-Hsien Chiang Stats & Scouting Report

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Seattle was an aggressive seller at the 2011 trade deadline. After the Mariners sent Doug Fister and David Pauley to the Tigers, they engaged the Dodgers and Red Sox in a three-way trade. In exchange for giving Erik Bedard and minor league righthander Josh Fields to Boston, Seattle got Trayvon Robinson from Los Angeles and Chiang from the Sox. Chiang hit .273/.319/.422 in his first five pro seasons and didn't take off until he got a better handle on his diabetes before the 2011 season. He played with more energy and consistency, leading the Double-A Eastern League in slugging (.648) and earning a trip to the Futures Game. Chiang is an aggressive hitter with pop to the gaps and some home run power to the pull side. His bat and power still don't grade out as more than average, which makes it hard to project him as a regular. A former second baseman, Chiang is an average defender with solid arm strength in right field. He's a below-average runner with a thick lower half. He's one of 10 outfielders on the Mariners' 40-man roster, which will make it tough for him to find playing time in Tacoma. He could return to Jackson after his disappointing showing following the trade.

After struggling to make much of an impact in his first five pro seasons, Chiang got a handle on his diabetes for the first time last offseason. With greater energy and consistency, he earned a Futures Game berth and led the EL in slugging (.648) before the Red Sox sent him to the Mariners in the three-team Erik Bedard trade. With added strength due to better health, Chiang shows impressive power to the gaps and over-the-fence power to right. He's an aggressive hitter who likes to pull the ball. His value will depend on the bat, including whether he can continue to hit lefthanders like he did with Portland (.281/.326/.562). A former second baseman, Chiang is an average defender with solid arm strength sufficient for right field. He's a below-average runner.