Chin-hui Tsao

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Colorado Rockies #1 prospect in 2004
  Tsao became the first Taiwanese pitcher and just the second Taiwanese player to appear in the majors when he pitched 61⁄3 innings to beat the Brewers on July 25. Overall, he survived his first taste of the big leagues despite allowing first-inning homers in four of his eight starts. He missed nearly a month when he went on the disabled list with a strained hamstring, which kept his innings down enough so that he retained his rookie eligibility. Because Tsao was on the DL at the end of August, however, he couldn't be sent to the minors and thus be allowed to pitch for Taiwan in the Asian Games, the qualifying event for the Olympics. The Rockies had agreed to make Tsao available in order to have the government waive his mandatory 18 months of military service, but there was no way around Major League Baseball's rules. Taiwan went on to earn a berth in the Olympics, along with Japan. Colorado's first major international signing, Tsao received a $2.2 million bonus in 1999. He has mastered English and has shown he has fully recovered from Tommy John surgery in 2001. Before joining the Rockies, he made a strong impression in his half-season at Double-A Tulsa, ranking as the top prospect in the Texas League. Tsao has a devastating slider, though he has been limited in how he can use it since his elbow surgery. The Rockies don't want him to overextend himself with the slider, which has given him more opportunity to refine his changeup. He has an exploding fastball that can run up to 96 mph and usually sits in the low 90s. He can add and subtract from his heater, depending on what the situation calls for. Just as important as his stuff, Tsao has command of the strike zone. He has averaged 10.5 strikeouts and just 2.3 walks per nine innings during his minor league career. He is athletic and moves off the mound quickly. He also is a good baserunner, able to challenge an outfielder's arm. Pressure isn't an issue for Tsao. He's carrying the hopes of an entire nation, so what's a baseball game? Tsao's focus came under question in Colorado. Until arriving at Coors Field he always had been so much more talented than his competition that he was able to excel with ease. In the big leagues, he's going to have to develop game plans. He must adjust to what the advance scouts, pitching coach and catcher believe he should do instead of continually shaking off his catcher. He needs to get stronger and develop more stamina so he can carry his stuff later into games. Projected as Colorado's future ace, Tsao will go to spring training with a solid chance to be part of the Rockies rotation. However, he'll have to earn the job. If not, the Rockies won't hesitate sending him to Colorado Springs for Triple-A seasoning. He skipped that step on his way up and could benefit from time with pitching guru Bob McClure.
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  Ranked Colorado Rockies #2 prospect in 2003
  Tsao was the Rockies' first significant signee from Asia, getting a then-franchise-record $2.2 million in 1999. He was the low Class A South Atlantic League's pitcher of the year in his 2000 pro debut, but had Tommy John surgery in 2001 and missed the first half of last season. While sidelined, Tsao worked on learning English and making other cultural adjustments. He made a solid return in 2002, though he was shut down with forearm tightness late in the year. Tsao still shows a plus fastball, reaching 91-96 mph last year. His changeup is excellent, and he showed his pitching aptitude in how quickly he mastered the pitch. His hard slider is a quality pitch as well. Tsao also has considerable poise, which comes from being Taiwan's ace during international competition. Staying healthy is Tsao's main challenge. His stuff, command and makeup are beyond reproach. Tsao will open the season at Colorado's new Double-A Tulsa affiliate. He figures to move to Triple-A at midseason and make his big league debut before the end of the year. He has the overpowering stuff to close games, but with his variety of pitches he likely will battle Cook for the eventual No. 1 spot in the rotation.
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  Ranked Colorado Rockies #1 prospect in 2002
  Tsao was the Rockies' first significant international signing, receiving what was then a franchise-record $2.2 million signing bonus in October 1999. He had just gone 3-0 with 23 shutout innings for Taiwan in the World Junior Championship, then pitched a one-hitter with 15 strikeouts against China as the lone amateur in the Asia Cup. After making a stunning debut in 2000, he showed up for spring training last year unable to pitch because he hadn't throw during the offseason. After just four starts at high Class A Salem, Tsao was shut down with torn ligaments in his elbow and required Tommy John surgery. With the strong comebacks made by others who have undergone the operation in recent years--including the Cardinals' Matt Morris, who tied for the National League lead with 22 victories in 2001--Colorado is confident Tsao will regain his previous form. Tsao has the makings of a dominant power pitcher. He has a legitimate mid-90s fastball and an excellent slider he can throw anytime in the count. He has a good feel for pitching, particularly at such a young age. Tsao also has shown an ability to throw strikes and is a quick study. Obviously, missing the bulk of last season and not being expected to be ready at the start of 2001 will rob Tsao of what he needs most: experience. He was so dominant in his native Taiwan that he is still learning about the demands of success in the big leagues. The work required to come back from Tommy John surgery should give him an idea of the effort involved. There's a strong feeling that his lack of an offseason throwing program set the stage for his elbow problem. Tsao has such a good slider that at times he'll forget to use his fastball. He did begin throwing a two-seam fastball early last year to give hitters a different look. Tsao's rehab work had him ahead of schedule in his return from surgery, yet he still isn't expected to be ready to pitch until late May at the earliest. A potential No. 1 starter, Tsao figures to return to Salem when he's ready. As soon as he shows he's healthy, he'll return to the fast track to Coors Field.
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  Ranked Colorado Rockies #1 prospect in 2001
  Tsao was the Rockies' first impact move on the international market. He signed for a then-franchise-record $2.2 million bonus as the franchise's first Asian signee after he went 3-0 with 23 shutout innings for Taiwan in the 1999 World Junior Championship. The only amateur to participate in the Asia Cup (a qualifying tournament for the 2000 Olympics), he pitched a 15-strikeout one-hitter against China in his lone start. Tsao continued to dominate in his pro debut. He got the attention of big league scouts when he pitched a perfect inning in an exhibition game against the Mariners, which was televised live back to Taiwan. Among the honors he earned were selection to the Futures Game, Class A Asheville team MVP honors, South Atlantic League midseason and postseason all-star recognition, and selection as the league's pitcher of the year. He was slowed briefly by a midseason blister problem and a late-season tender elbow, but neither injury was considered serious and he finished strong. He tied for second in the SAL in strikeouts and finished fourth in ERA. Tsao is a legitimate power pitcher. He has a fastball that is consistently in the 93-94 mph range, a hard slider, curveball and a changeup. His fastball, slider and curve already are quality big league pitches. The fastball has good sinking action and he'll pitch inside. And he does throw strikes. He walked only 40 batters, although hitting five, in 145 innings. Tsao needs to maintain his focus. His changeup has the makings of a top-quality pitch but he hasn't had to use it enough to gain total command of it yet. He also is working to adjust to American culture, including taking advanced English courses. The Rockies kept him at Asheville all of last season so they wouldn't disrupt his routine off the field and have that interfere with his development on the field. Tsao has the ability to be a quality No. 1 starter in the big leagues. He could be pushed to Double-A Carolina in 2001 but likely will go to high Class A Salem. Don't look for him to be moved once the season starts, as the Rockies again want to give him time to adjust.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked Texas League #1 prospect in 2003
  Tsao answered any lingering questions about his recovery from 2001 Tommy John surgery with authority. He earned a trip to the Futures Game followed by a big league callup in July, but still qualified as the league ERA champion at season's end. His Colorado debut made him the first Taiwanese pitcher to reach the major leagues. Tsao toyed with hitters at times, usually pitching at 90-91 mph but dialing his fastball up to 96-97 when he needed it. His slider can be unhittable and his changeup is a solid pitch. He also throws the occasional curveball. His command is strong, he does the little things (like fielding his position) well and he's confident on and off the field. He's also a good athlete who can hit balls out during batting practice. Tsao is still learning to pitch and needs to work out of the strike zone more when he's ahead in the count. "He's one of those guys who can just dominate you with stuff," Wichita manager Keith Bodie said. "He throws a lot of swing-and-miss pitches."
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  Ranked Carolina League #5 prospect in 2002
  Tsao made just four starts at Salem in 2001 before blowing out his elbow. Following Tommy John surgery, he regained the form he showed in his U.S. debut in 2000, when the Taiwan native established himself as one of the best pitching prospects in the game. He returned in July and was the CL's best pitcher in August, going 3-1, 0.81. Though Tsao was limited in throwing his slider because it caused tightness above his elbow, he located his 92-97 mph fastball well. His changeup lags behind his main two pitches.
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  Ranked South Atlantic League #2 prospect in 2000
  Tsao spoke very little English and traveled with translator Alex Gong, who wore a uniform and went along on visits to the pitching mound. But the universal language of jaw-dropping was spoken whenever Tsao let go with his mid-90s fastball, hard slider and polished changeup. Tsao threw all three pitches for strikes and wasn’t rattled on the mound. "He knows how to pitch and throws a lot of stuff at you," Capital City manager John Stephenson said. "He has great knowledge out there and he’s poised. He might have to tone himself down a little bit, but he’s a good pitcher." The Rockies resisted the temptation to bump Tsao up a level or two, preferring to allow him a smooth adjustment to American baseball in his first year removed from Taiwan. "He should be in Double-A next year," Charleston, S.C., manager Charlie Montoyo said.

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #24 prospect in 2004
• Ranked Baseball America's #93 prospect in 2003
• Ranked Baseball America's #61 prospect in 2002
• Ranked Baseball America's #15 prospect in 2001

• December, 1999 Scouting Report
  Tsao spoke very little English and traveled with translator Alex Gong, who wore a uniform and went along on visits to the pitching mound. But the universal language of jaw-dropping was spoken whenever Tsao let go with his mid-90s fastball, hard slider and polished changeup. Tsao threw all three pitches for strikes and wasn’t rattled on the mound. "He knows how to pitch and throws a lot of stuff at you," Capital City manager John Stephenson said. "He has great knowledge out there and he’s poised. He might have to tone himself down a little bit, but he’s a good pitcher." The Rockies resisted the temptation to bump Tsao up a level or two, preferring to allow him a smooth adjustment to American baseball in his first year removed from Taiwan. "He should be in Double-A next year," Charleston, S.C., manager Charlie Montoyo said.