Chih-Wei Hu Tantalizes Rays, Regardless Of Role

The Rays liked what they were getting when they acquired righthander Chih-Wei Hu from the Twins in the 2015 trade-deadline deal of reliever Kevin Jepsen.

Hu then gave them more reason to be excited with a dazzling performance in the 2016 Futures Game, when his fastball ticked into the upper 90s.

After opening the 2017 season at Triple-A Durham and then being called up as a bullpen reinforcement, Hu continued to show the Rays what’s to come.

They just have to decide at some point whether to keep him in the rotation or move him full-time to the bullpen.

The 23-year-old Hu, whom the Twins signed out of Taiwan in 2012, has the repertoire to remain a starter. He combines a low-90s fastball with an impressive changeup, serviceable slider and a palm ball that provide a second method of deception.

Hu succeeded with that combination at Double-A Montgomery in 2016, leading the Southern League with a 2.59 ERA and earning postseason all-star honors. However, some scouts suggest he could be no more than a back-of-the-rotation starter.

But Hu could make an impact in short bursts with the increased velocity he showed in the Futures Games and by sticking to the fastball-changeup combo the Rays favor.

Plus, Hu has the important intangibles that can play big, even more so in a relief role, with extreme confidence and a sense of calm.

“He takes the ball and competes,’’ farm director Mitch Lukevics said. “He is very resilient and unshakable. You know what you are getting when he takes the mound every time.’’

Rays pitching coach Jim Hickey is similarly impressed.

Hu didn’t get to see much time on the mound during his first week in the majors, but he learned plenty that will help him in future opportunities.

He also had the chance to talk with Marlins lefthander Wei-Yin Chen, the only other active Taiwanese player in the majors, which was an exciting reminder of how big a deal his success is back home.

— Marc Topkin covers the Rays for the Tampa Bay Times