Chun-Hsiu Chen
From BR Bullpen
Chun-Hsiu Chen
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 5' 11", Weight 210 lb.
- Born November 1, 1988 in Hualien County Taiwan
[edit] Biographical Information
Chun-Hsiu Chen is a Cleveland Indians farmhand.
In the 2006 World Junior Championship, Chen hit .417 to lead Taiwan and slugged .500 as a part-time 1B/DH. He was 0-2 with a 4.66 ERA as a pitcher but allowed only one unearned run in 5 innings in an exhibition game against the USA junior team. Chen's fastball was timed as high as 92 mph but drew more notice from scouts for his power hitting, compared to that of Chin-Feng Chen. Chun-Hsiu Chen was signed by the Cleveland Indians in September of 2007 for a $300,000 bonus. One concern was his catching as he had not played the field much in high school due to his being his team's ace hurler.
Chen had an okay pro debut with the 2008 GCL Indians, hitting .261/.336/.409 in 38 games. He fielded .982 at catcher but had 7 passed balls in 31 games and threw out 12 of 40 attempted base-stealers. In 2009, Chen hit .215/.328/.308 for the Mahoning Valley Scrappers. His 7 errors tied for the lead among New York-Penn League backstops.
Chen started 2010 much better and made the World team for the 2010 Futures Game, the only Taiwan native picked that year and one of only two Asians (Hak-ju Lee was the other). Backing up Wilin Rosario, he entered in the fifth inning. He ground out against Shelby Miller in the 7th and lined out versus Tanner Scheppers in the 9th. The only player who tried to steal off him was Desmond Jennings, who was successful.
