Wei-Chieh Huang

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Arizona Diamondbacks #21 prospect in 2017
  Huang signed with the Diamondbacks for $450,000 in 2014 after pitching at the National Taiwan University of Physical Education and Sport. Coming off a solid 2015 season at low Class A, Huang's 2016 season got off to a late start because of an offseason military commitment in Taiwan. After six rocky starts at high Class A Visalia he was shut down with shoulder fatigue and soreness. After a couple of months of rest and rehab, Huang finished the season pitching long-relief outings at short-season Hillsboro. His durability has been an ongoing issue and is a red flag moving forward. When he's right, Huang is able to locate his pitches well. He pitches to contact with a plus changeup that he uses to get swings and misses, and his fastball has good angle and sits 87-91 mph. His low-70s curveball is a below-average pitch. The most optimistic projection for Huang is No. 5 starter, but his subpar breaking ball and durability concerns may target him for a bullpen role. He likely will return to Visalia in 2017 to repeat the California League.
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  Ranked Arizona Diamondbacks #16 prospect in 2016
  The Diamondbacks signed the 20-year-old Huang in July 2014 for $450,000 after he pitched at the National Taiwan University of Physical Education and Sport. Arizona got a sneak preview earlier in 2014 when the slender righthander pitched at their training complex in Scottsdale, Ariz. Huang pitched impressively in 2015 during his pro debut at low Class A Kane County after his season was delayed with a back issue. He went 7-3, 2.00 with 8.0 strikeouts and 1.9 walks per nine innings while holding opponents to a .208 average in 77 innings. Huang's slender build elicits concern from scouts as to whether he will have the strength and durability to remain in the rotation, but his stuff will play in that role if he holds up. He has good command of a fastball that sits 91-92 mph and touches 94, and his double-plus changeup at 78-81 mph already ranks as the best in the organization. He rounds out his three-pitch arsenal with a low-70s curveball that he can really spin. Huang is ready for a move to high Class A Visalia in 2016.