Young-Il Jung

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Los Angeles Angels #13 prospect in 2008
  Jung went from the talk of Angels instructional league in 2006 to a $1 million question mark by midseason. He was shut down after just three appearances in Rookie ball with elbow soreness, but general manager Tony Reagins said Jung's right forearm was the culprit. The organization was hopeful the arm trouble was just the residual effect of a heavy workload from Jung's high school career in Korea, which reportedly included one 242-pitch outing. When he's right, Jung has feel for three pitches and a relatively sound delivery. His fastball sits at 89-92 mph, but its life and movement make it even better. He ditched a split-finger fastball and curveball, and whittled his repertoire to a changeup and slider. His change has above-average deception with sinking action at 82 mph. Jung's slider sits near 83 mph with short, late tilt. He gets rotational in his delivery, which leads to below-average command. His body is thick and mature, which means he has little room for projection. His drop-and-drive delivery makes it difficult for him to maintain a downhill plane on his pitches. If he's healthy, Jung could climb to low Class A sometime in 2008.
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  Ranked Los Angeles Angels #4 prospect in 2007
  Rarely does a Korean player sign with a major league team out of high school, but Jung did for $1 million last August. Charlie Kim, the Angels' part-time scout in Korea, forged a relationship with Jung and his family, and international scouting supervisor Clay Daniel endorsed the signing. Jung's mature, thick frame and clean delivery belie his age. Newly appointed minor league pitching coordinator Kernan Ronan simplified Jung's repertoire during instructional league, and he'll work with a fastball, slider and straight changeup after ditching his splitter and curve. He has feel for all three pitches. His 89-92 mph fastball is heavy with occasional late run. He maintains his arm speed when throwing his 82 mph changeup with good sinking action. Jung's slider sits between 83-85 mph with short, late tilt. He's poised, and Los Angeles lauds his effort to learn English and establish rapport with teammates. Jung's body doesn't lend considerable room for growth. His frame and drop-and-drive delivery could make it tough for him to generate downward plane. His command is below-average, especially of his slider. Jung is polished for his age and offers the promise of a No. 2 or 3 starter. His performance during spring training will predicate his assignment, and he could see time at low Class A in his debut season.