Sung-Wei Tseng

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Cleveland Guardians #17 prospect in 2008
  Taiwan's top amateur pitcher in 2006, the Indians signed Tseng for $300,000. He'd spent the summer of 2005 pitching in the summer collegiate Alaska League, where he ranked as that league's No. 4 prospect. The Indians expressed their concern with Tseng's workload by the national team in last year's Intercontinental Cup, and assistant GM John Mirabelli closely monitored Tseng's outings again during Taiwan's appearances in the '07 World Cup and Olympic Qualifier, and he was used less aggressively this time around. While Tseng had a solid debut during the first half of last year, he wore down over the course of the year and posted a 5.21 ERA in August. Tseng works in the low 90s with an explosive fastball, and is very aggressive on the mound. He has good command of the fastball and slider, but his best pitch is his split-finger fastball. The pitch features tight, down spiral and he commands it to both sides of the plate, giving him a weapon against lefties and righties. His delivery is simple and compact and he creates good natural deception. Tseng profiles as a solid No. 3 starter, but he'll have to hold up for a full season in 2008, which he'll begin in Double-A.
• 
  Ranked Cleveland Guardians #12 prospect in 2007
  The Indians got active in the Pacific Rim in July, signing Australian shortstop Jason Smit for $350,000 and Tseng for $300,000. Taiwan's top amateur pitcher, Tseng ranked as the fourth-best prospect in the summer Alaska League in 2005. He pitched in the World Baseball Classic, allowing two earned runs on three hits in just two-thirds of an inning, and finished the year by pitching in the Intercontinental Cup. Taiwan, the host nation, worked him hard, pitching him a team-high 14 innings over four games in nine days. Tseng earned a victory in relief against Cuba. Tseng pounds the bottom of the zone with a 90-93 mph fastball that touches 95. He's aggressive, and has good control of his fastball, slider and splitter. His splitter might be his biggest asset, featuring tight, downward spiral with explosion straight down in the strike zone at home plate. His slider has consistent shape and depth, though he tends to get around it at times. Still just 21, Tseng repeats his compact delivery well. He should make his pro debut in the low Class A Lake County rotation this year.