作者:
polanco (polanco)
2016-07-29 09:20:49Wei-Chieh Huang | Rank: 18 (Preseason: 6)
Team: Hillsboro Hops (A Short)
ETA: 2018
Position: RHP
Age: 22 DOB: 09/26/1993
Bats: R Throws: R
Height: 6' 1" Weight: 170 lb.
Signed: July 21, 2014 - ARI
Scouting grades: Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 50 | Changeup: 60 | Control: 60 |
Overall: 45
The D-backs were very cautious with Huang during his debut season after
signing him out of Taiwan for $450,000 in 2014, partially because of a back
issue and partially to manage his innings. The slender right-hander
nevertheless made a very strong first impression, including an appearance in
the 2015 Futures Game. After being held back to start the 2016 season, Huang
struggled with an assignment to the California League and was moved back to
short-season ball, with concerns about his durability mounting.
Huang has shown the ability to pitch off of his low-90s fastball, commanding
it precisely to all parts of the strike zone. He also has an outstanding
changeup that serves as an out pitch, getting swings and misses consistently.
His curve is still developing, but he knows how to spin it, and it could at
least be Major League average. He does have some physicality, but his
6-foot-1 slight build hasn't lent itself to adding strength.
The D-backs had hoped to take the gloves off in terms of Huang's development,
but that hasn't been the case. If they can get him physically ready, his
advanced feel for pitching, mound presence and plus makeup should all let him
start to move up the ladder, with a chance to pitch in the middle to back of
a rotation in the future.