Jen-Ho Tseng

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Chicago Cubs #9 prospect in 2018
  Signed for $1.625 million out of Taiwan, Tseng received the third-largest bonus in the Cubs' 2013 international class, behind Eloy Jimenez and Gleyber Torres. Tseng had made slow, steady progress since then, taking it one level at a time before repeating Double-A Tennessee in 2017. He earned organization pitcher of the year honors and made his first big league start against the Mets in September. Tseng has the same stuff he has had, for the most part, since signing. His above-average changeup remains his best pitch. He locates his 90-93 mph fastball consistently to both sides of the plate. He's confident enough to throw his average curveball and cutter-type slider, a fringe-average pitch, in any count. Tseng trusted his catchers more and sequenced his pitches better in 2017, staying out of pitch patterns and using his offspeed stuff to different locations than he had in the past. Tseng's offseason preparation also was better, and he stayed strong throughout the season. Tseng profiles as a back-of-the-rotation starter with durability a key attribute. After throwing more than 150 innings in 2017, he's the upper-level Cubs arm most likely to earn a big league rotation spot in 2018.
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  Ranked Chicago Cubs #20 prospect in 2016
  Tseng signed out of Taiwan for $1.625 million in July 2013 and has jumped straight into full-season ball since coming to the U.S. He also has vaulted toward the front of the Cubs' pitching-prospect depth chart. He's done so more through command than sheer stuff, however, and he hit some speed bumps in 2015, particularly in the first half of the season at high Class A Myrtle Beach. Tseng improved as the year went along and made a strong six-inning start to start the Carolina League finals, a game the Pelicans won in extra innings. He threw harder as the year went along and sits in the 89-93 mph range, regularly touching 94 late in the season. His fastball lacks life, so he has to locate it to pitch off it and set up his offspeed stuff. He retains a strong feel for using his curveball, which he likes to locate as a backdoor pitch, as well as his above-average changeup. Tseng's walk and strikeout rates backed up a bit at a higher level, slowing what was thought to be a potential fast-track trip through the system. He moves up to Double-A in 2016.
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  Ranked Chicago Cubs #11 prospect in 2015
  With their hitters far ahead of their pitching depth, the Cubs signed Tseng out of Taiwan in 2013 for a $1.625 million bonus. He sent scouts mixed signals as an amateur, flashing 95 mph fastballs at times while pitching backwards with average velocity at other times, and he pitched poorly in the 2013 World Baseball Classic as a 17-year-old. That's in his past now after a strong debut season at low Class A Kane County in 2014. A consistent strike-thrower with the best control in the system, Tseng pitches at 87-92 mph with his fastball, reaching 94, and locates it all over the strike zone. He's the rare pitcher scouts project with potential plus command thanks to a compact, repeatable delivery. His changeup is his best pitch, a plus offering with tumble and good arm speed, and he has the confidence to double-up with it. His tight, mid-70s curveball plays solid-average, and he locates it well. Tseng gets more swings and misses with his secondary pitches than his fastball, profiling him toward the back of the rotation, but he's primed to move quickly with his durable frame and command. He'll start 2015 at high Class A Myrtle Beach.

• December, 2017 Scouting Report
  Track Record: Signed for $1.625 million out of Taiwan, Tseng received the third-largest bonus in the Cubs' 2013 international class, behind Eloy Jimenez and Gleyber Torres. Tseng had made slow, steady progress since then, before repeating Double-A Tennessee in 2017. He earned organization pitcher of the year honors and made his first big league start against the Mets in September. Scouting Report: Tseng has the same stuff he has had, for the most part, since signing. His above-average changeup remains his best pitch. He locates his 90-93 mph fastball consistently to both sides of the plate. He's confident enough to throw his average curveball and cutter-type slider, a fringe-average pitch, in any count. Tseng trusted his catchers more and sequenced his pitches better in 2017, staying out of pitch patterns and using his offspeed stuff to different locations than he had in the past. Tseng's offseason preparation also was better, and he stayed strong throughout the season. The Future: Tseng profiles as a back-of-the-rotation starter with durability a key attribute. After throwing more than 150 innings in 2017, he's the Cubs arm most likely to earn a big league rotation spot in 2018.