Chien-Ming Wang

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked New York Yankees #9 prospect in 2005
  Wang signed for $1.9 million out of Taiwan in 2000, and he's close to paying dividends after being deterred by shoulder surgery in 2001 and a shoulder strain in 2003. He shined for Taiwan in the 2004 Olympics, going 1-0, 1.98 in two starts. Wang has one of the best fastballs in the organization. His fastball velocity returned to its pre-injury level late in 2004, as he worked at 92-95 mph and touched 97. He showed durability by logging a career-high 149 innings. His splitter and slider are solid-average pitches. While Wang's fastball has excellent velocity, it tends to get straight. He needs to use his changeup and splitter better against lefthanders, who tattooed him for a .307 average in 2004. Wang's medical history isn't encouraging, and he pulled a hamstring in the Triple-A International League playoffs, knocking him out of the organization's fall minicamp. Wang was the Yankees' best option for a low-cost starter, but the addition of Randy Johnson, Carl Pavano and Jaret Wright means he'll only be in the big leagues in case of emergency in 2005.
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  Ranked New York Yankees #12 prospect in 2004
  Less than a year after signing for $1.9 million out of Taiwan, Wang had reconstructive shoulder surgery and missed the entire 2001 season. He came back strong in 2002 and in the offseason was Taiwan's MVP at the Asian Games. Wang's successful return convinced the Yankees that he could go straight to Double-A in 2003. He proved to be up to the challenge early in the season but was inconsistent thereafter. His velocity fluctuated from 95 mph to just average. His health wasn't in question, other than one brief stint on the DL with a blister. Wang was trying to fool hitters instead of using his four-seam fastball and pitching to contact. His slider, forkball and changeup are all average pitches, but his command is his best asset. He has a good delivery with a long, easy arm action. Wang pitched for Taiwan again in the Asian Games, helping them earn a berth in the 2004 Olympics. He's ready to move up to Triple-A but still needs more refinement before contending for a big league job.
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  Ranked New York Yankees #7 prospect in 2003
  Signed to a $1.9 million bonus, Wang came to the United States with high expectations. His 2000 pro debut was solid, but a shoulder injury knocked him out for all of the following year. He returned in 2002, tossing eight shutout innings to clinch the New York-Penn championship for Staten Island, then earned the MVP award for Taiwan at the Asian Games. Wang is polished in spite of his relative inexperience. He maintains 90-95 mph velocity on his fastball with a clean delivery and free arm action. His splitter and hard, late slider give him two more knockout pitches, and his changeup is a reliable option. He can command all four pitches in the strike zone. While Wang looked to be back to 100 percent, he hasn't pitched a full season yet. If Wang stays healthy, the Yankees are prepared to put him on the fast track. He could start 2003 in high Class A and reach Double-A Trenton before the end of the season.
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  Ranked New York Yankees #13 prospect in 2001
  The Yankees joined the list of teams signing players out of Taiwan when they gave Wang a $1.5 million bonus in May. He had the best arm in an all-prospect rotation that led Staten Island to the New York-Penn League championship. Wang showed a lot of polish for a 20-year-old pitcher making his U.S. debut. Opponents batted just .233 with two homers against him. He throws strikes with quality stuff: a consistent 92-mph fastball that can reach 94, a splitter, a slider and a changeup. He also keeps his pitches down and has a projectable body, a sound delivery and plenty of poise. Nicknamed "Tiger," he'll move up to Class A Greensboro this year.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked New York-Penn League #6 prospect in 2002
  The Yankees have combined their unlimited budget and scouting skills to land immediate impact players on the international market such as Orlando Hernandez and Alfonso Soriano. They've also spent wildly on busts such as Kats Maeda and Andy Morales. New York signed Wang out of Taiwan for $1.9 million in 2000, and he was impressive that summer with Staten Island. Then he suffered a shoulder injury that knocked him out of action until this summer. He came back at nearly full strength after more than 16 months of rehabilitation. "The last three or four starts, we started to see that 90-95 come back," Shelton said. "He's holding his velocity and the sharpness of the breaking ball and splitter are there." Wang complements his heat with a tumbling forkball, curveball and change. He threw with an easy arm action and was at his best in the playoffs, winning two starts to help Staten Island claim the championship.
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  Ranked New York-Penn League #16 prospect in 2000
  Wang already has shown three quality pitches. As a bonus, he can throw them for strikes and keep them down in the zone. "Wang shows flashes of a plus fastball," Arnold said. "He's recently started throwing a split-finger, which can be above-average. His slider is good too. That's at least one plus pitch and a couple of average ones. In one of his games this year, he was over 92 with his fastball 24 or 25 times during a ballgame. His command is outstanding."

• December, 1999 Scouting Report
  Wang already has shown three quality pitches. As a bonus, he can throw them for strikes and keep them down in the zone. "Wang shows flashes of a plus fastball," Arnold said. "He's recently started throwing a split-finger, which can be above-average. His slider is good too. That's at least one plus pitch and a couple of average ones. In one of his games this year, he was over 92 with his fastball 24 or 25 times during a ballgame. His command is outstanding."