Bruce Chen

From BR Bullpen

Bruce Kastulo Chen

Bats Both, Throws Left
Height 6' 2", Weight 210 lb.

Debut September 7, 1998
Born June 19, 1977 in Panama City, Panama

[edit] Biographical Information

Bruce Chen earned his first big league victory on September 12, 1998. That season, he was named the Pitcher of the Year in the AA Southern League after going 13-7, 3.29 with 164 strikeouts for the Greenville Braves. Signed at age 16, Chen went 1-4 in nine games, with 26 strikeouts and only 3 walks in 1994, with the GCL Braves. In 1997, Chen posted a 12-7 record with 182 strikeouts in 146 innings with the Macon Braves to lead the South Atlantic League in strikeouts.

In spite of his outstanding minor league record, Chen never was able to pitch well in the majors for more than short stretches. However, his electric stuff and occasional tentalizing outings have meant that there has always been a team willing to give him another chance. He has so far pitched for nine major league teams and played with one more organization. He seemed to finally put it all together in 2005, when he went 13-10, 3.83, with 133 strikeouts as a member of the Baltimore Orioles' starting rotation. This came after a successful 8-game tryout in late 2004 in which he put up a 3.03 ERA following a solid season with the AAA Ottawa Lynx. Everything came crashing down in 2006 however, as his 0-7, 6.93, mark attests.

Chen is the only major league player born in Panama who is of Asian ancestry.

Chen started one of Panama's two games in the 2009 World Baseball Classic and held Puerto Rico to two runs in four innings, allowing solo homers to Carlos Delgado and Ivan Rodriguez. Chen took the loss against Javier Vazquez.