Reds Sign Taiwanese Pitcher

by Havok1517 on May 17, 2007 6:27 AM EDT

TaiwanBaseball is reporting another 6-figure signing out of the East China Sea. This time, it's the Cincinnati Reds making their first foray into the Taiwanese market, inking 19-year-old LHP Tzu-Kai Chiu to a signing bonus somewhere in the neighborhood of $200,000. Chiu's apparently a pretty soft tosser, so if the price the TT's hearing is accurate, this might be something of a statement signing on the Reds' part, announcing their intentions to compete for top Taiwanese talent in the future.

http://taiwanbaseball.blogspot.com/2007/03/tzu-kai-chiu-signs-with-reds.html

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oh nice

"Chiu's apparently a pretty soft tosser"

cant wait

by Muggerd on May 17, 2007 10:22 AM EDT reply actions

He throws 85-87

and tops out and 89. That is enough to be sucessful.

by justin0070000 on May 17, 2007 10:58 AM EDT reply actions

I doubt it

but the more important thing is that he is only 19 and could pick up a couple miles an hour on his fastabll.

It's not that I don't think that a pitcher can be successful at those speeds, but it's very rare that a young pitcher is able to. If he's able to get it up to 91-92 with some mechanical adjustments or arm strengthening, then I would have more hope.

2007 Reds Threat Level is Blue

by Slyde on May 17, 2007 11:01 AM EDT up reply actions

he has a history of sucess

We will see how that transfers in America.

He might pick up a little velocity.

I see to remeber when Harang was traded he topped out at about 90 MPH.

by justin0070000 on May 17, 2007 11:11 AM EDT up reply actions

well

Harang is 6'7" so the ball gets on the hitter a little bit faster. This guy is only 6'0", so I would think he probably needs to pick up a little more speed on his fastball. The post says that his best pitch is a curveball, so if it is a good one, that will help. It's rare that a pitcher comes up to the Majors without a decent fastball. He's got plenty of time though, so hopefully it will develop.

2007 Reds Threat Level is Blue

by Slyde on May 17, 2007 11:29 AM EDT up reply actions