Cha Seung Baek

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Seattle Mariners #16 prospect in 2005
  Seattle kicked off its aggressive pursuit of international talent by signing Baek, who played with Shin-Soo Choo at Pusan High in Korea, for $1.3 million in 1998. He missed most of 2001 and all of 2002 after Tommy John surgery. He hasn't totally regained the low-90s velocity he had before his injury, but he's never been about blowing hitters away. Baek succeed by locating his full repertoire, which includes an 88-92 mph two-seam fastball, a four-seamer, a curveball, a slider and a changeup. His best pitches are his changuep and his curveball. Though he has no difficulty throwing strikes, Baek must work more aggressively to get the ball in on hitters. Big leaguers quickly learned to lean out over the plate and look for pitches on the outer half against him, though he did spin eight shutout innings against the Rangers in his final outing of the season. He's not going to strike out a lot of batters, so he'll need his defense to make plays for him. Baek could crack the Opening Day rotation, though his chances are tied to Joel Pineiro's health and Ron Villone's role.
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  Ranked Seattle Mariners #8 prospect in 2004
  Baek was Seattle's first big international signing, agreeing to a $1.3 million bonus in 1998. He and Choo were teammates at Pusan (South Korea) High. Baek blew out his elbow in 2001 and missed all of 2002 rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, then made a strong comeback last year. The only setback was a month off with elbow inflammation. Though Travis Blackley gets more notoriety, Baek has better command and feel for pitching. His delivery and arm action are smooth and consistent, allowing him to repeat pitches and throw strikes. He mixes four offerings: an 88-93 mph fastball with decent sink, a curveball he can vary speeds with, a slider and a changeup. Baek doesn't have a knockout pitch or even a plus one, leaving him little margin for error. He threw in the low 90s more often before he hurt his elbow, so it's possible he could regain a little more velocity as he gets stronger. Added to the 40-man roster, Baek probably will spend the first half of 2004 in Double-A. He projects as a No. 4 starter unless his stuff bounces back more.
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  Ranked Seattle Mariners #28 prospect in 2002
  Two years before Kazuhiro Sasaki, Shin-Soo Choo and Ichiro Suzuki came aboard, Baek was Seattle's first big-ticket international signing. He accepted a $1.3 million bonus in 1998, when he was considered the top pitching prospect in Korea. He had visa problems in 1999 and a tender elbow in each of his first two pro seasons, limiting his time on the mound. Baek made two starts in 2001 before his elbow began bothering him again. After being shut down for a month, he pitched three more times before tearing a ligament and needing Tommy John surgery. He won't return to the mound until late 2002 at the earliest. Baek had pretty good stuff, including a low-90s fastball and a late-breaking slider, and he was able to throw it for strikes. The Mariners only can hope that he joins the growing number of pitchers who have come back better than ever after Tommy John surgery.
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  Ranked Seattle Mariners #12 prospect in 2001
  Baek was regarded as one of the top high school prospects in Korea when the Mariners signed him for $1.3 million in 1998. His career got off to a slow start due to visa problems and a tender elbow, limiting him to eight games in his debut in 1999. Last year he was again troubled by tendinitis early in the season, but he tried to pitch through it without telling anyone he was hurt. After getting shut down and recovering, Baek saw his fastball climb back into the low 90s, and he mixed in his late-breaking slider with more regularity. He also throws a curve and changeup. He switched from a four-seam to a two-seam fastball last season, trading velocity for movement. Baek is likely to stay on the slow track through the system, both because he may need the extra development time and the organization has pitching depth.
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  Ranked Seattle Mariners #10 prospect in 1999
  Background: The Mariners landed Baek, regarded as the top high school prospect in Korea, in September for what was believed to be a $1.5 million bonus, the largest they've ever given an international signee. Baek went to instructional league but didn't pitch in game situations because the Mariners felt he had already thrown too much during the summer for the Korean junior national team. Strengths: Baek already possesses a plus fastball, which he complements with a curve, slider and changeup. He has great mechanics and a good body for pitching, and he has excellent command. Weaknesses: Baek needs to get acclimated to pitching in the United States and learn English. He just needs innings and experience to develop all of his pitches. The Future: Baek will either make the Wisconsin rotation to start 1999 or stay in extended spring training until short-season Everett begins play in June. The Mariners see him developing into a potential No. 1 starter.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked Midwest League #17 prospect in 2000
  Baek was another Timber Rattler for whom timing was everything. Early in the season, the $1.3 million Korean bonus baby had elbow problems that he kept to himself. Thurman couldn’t figure out why Baek was throwing 86-88 mph and eschewing his breaking ball until he confessed. After Baek took some time off, his fastball returned to the low 90s and he started throwing his late-breaking slider more often. He mixes speeds and pitches inside well. Baek finally agreed to start throwing a two-seam fastball, and he gained movement at the cost of a little velocity from the four-seamer he once preferred.
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  Ranked Arizona Complex League #2 prospect in 1999
  Baek became part of the growing South Korean movement into pro ball when the Mariners signed him last September to a $1.3 million contract. Baek's debut was delayed by visa problems this spring and a tender elbow at the beginning of the AZL season. "Even with the visa and elbow problems, he was able to show his tools," Mariners manager Gary Thurman said. "He has four pitches that he throws with plus command potential, including a low-to-mid-90s fastball. His curveball is his best breaking pitch."

• December, 2004 Scouting Report
  Seattle kicked off its aggressive pursuit of international talent by signing Baek, who played with Shin-Soo Choo at Pusan High in Korea, for $1.3 million in 1998. He missed most of 2001 and all of 2002 after Tommy John surgery. He hasn't totally regained the low-90s velocity he had before his injury, but he's never been about blowing hitters away. Baek succeed by locating his full repertoire, which includes an 88-92 mph two-seam fastball, a four-seamer, a curveball, a slider and a changeup. His best pitches are his changuep and his curveball. Though he has no difficulty throwing strikes, Baek must work more aggressively to get the ball in on hitters. Big leaguers quickly learned to lean out over the plate and look for pitches on the outer half against him, though he did spin eight shutout innings against the Rangers in his final outing of the season. He's not going to strike out a lot of batters, so he'll need his defense to make plays for him. Baek could crack the Opening Day rotation, though his chances are tied to Joel Pineiro's health and Ron Villone's role.
• December, 1999 Scouting Report
  Baek was another Timber Rattler for whom timing was everything. Early in the season, the $1.3 million Korean bonus baby had elbow problems that he kept to himself. Thurman couldn’t figure out why Baek was throwing 86-88 mph and eschewing his breaking ball until he confessed. After Baek took some time off, his fastball returned to the low 90s and he started throwing his late-breaking slider more often. He mixes speeds and pitches inside well. Baek finally agreed to start throwing a two-seam fastball, and he gained movement at the cost of a little velocity from the four-seamer he once preferred.