Chih-Wei Hu - 2015

[JaleelWhite FanClub]

Hu pitched the second inning last night for the South Division in the Florida State League All Star Game. He contributed to the South's shutout pitching the one inning and giving up one hit and striking out one batter.

[JaleelWhite FanClub]

Chih-Wei pitched a pretty good game last night for the Miracle. He came away with a ND as the Miracle won the game in 15 innings. Hu pitched six frames, allowing 3 ER on 8 hits and now walks. He gave up his fourth home run on the season, but did strike out 10 batters, tying his season high. Here's Hu's season totals.

 

11 GS (1 A+, 1 AAA), 61.2 IP, 5-1 (W-L), 2.34 ERA, 51 H, 19 R (16 ER), 4 HR, 16 BB, 61 K, .223 AVG, 1.09 WHIP.

 

Hu has remained perhaps the steadiest pitcher for Miracle throughout the season. The flashes of brilliance that had people wanting a May promotion have been replaced but solid, more understated results. Coming into the season, I saw Hu's performance being more in line with what he has shown lately as opposed to the dominance from earlier in the year.

 

A mid-year promotion is still not out-of-the question, but I think if Hu pitches the entire year in Fort Myers maintaining his current numbers, everyone involved would be satisfied.

[formerly33]

Chih-Wei Hu pitching for the South Division in the Florida State League All Star Game | photo by Bryan Green via Flickr

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

The lineup Hu faced on the 26th included Tim Beckham and Grady Sizemore doing rehabs--experienced ballplayers.

 

I'd really like to see Hu get the next promotion when Berrios gets his promotion, ideally this season.

[JaleelWhite FanClub]

 

The lineup Hu faced on the 26th included Tim Beckham and Grady Sizemore doing rehabs--experienced ballplayers.

I'd really like to see Hu get the next promotion when Berrios gets his promotion, ideally this season.

 

I'd have to imagine either he or Slegers would be next in line.

[JaleelWhite FanClub]

Hu's gotten a couple of more starts in since I last posted. Last night he had a strong outing, pitching 7 innings and allowing 1 earned run on 5 hits, no walks, and striking out 4. Here are his season totals (including the spot start for Rochester in May).

 

13 GS, 73,2 IP, 6-2 (W-L), 2.20 ERA, 60 H, 21 R (18 ER), 4 HR, 19 BB, 68 K, .221 AVG, 1.07 WHIP

 

Hu's been the Miracle's most consistent starter this season. His ERA and WHIP are great and his 8.3 K/9 is promising given other arms in the system. I know many of you are wondering if a promotion is due. I, selfishly, would think so, but Hu is still 21 and young for the league. But his spot start in Rochester may have shown he'd be up for the challenge of a higher level.

 

The Jorge/Hu combo promotion thrown out in this morning's minor league report is interesting. From casually following the Chattanooga staff, I can't imagine they couldn't make room for Hu.

[Mike Sixel]

Promote him already.

[jokin]

 

Promote him already.

 

He's no doubt on a strict innings limit, let him get his feet wet at the next level, and have his last 5-6 starts be in AA or AAA.

[JaleelWhite FanClub]

After two more solid starts, here are Chi-Wei's season totals.

 

15 GS, 86.0 IP, 6-2 (W-L), 1.99 ERA, 71 H, 23 R (19 ER), 4 HR, 22 BB, 73 K, .228 AVG, 1.08 WHIP, 7.63 K/9, 2.30 BB/9, 3.32 K/BB

 

Hu continues to limit runs, which is obviously the most important thing, but his game strikeout totals are falling and he's getting hit a bit more in the second half of the season. All-in-all, it continues to be a fantastic season for the 21-year-old.

 

The early season success that generated so much mid-season promotion talk was exciting, but it seems like Hu will play out the remainder of his season in Ft. Myers. Hopefully they can make a run into the playoffs and he can get some postseason experience.

[drjim]

It seems he is more a deception guy than a stuff guy, so I imagine the Twins wanted him to take a second lap around the league to see how he did. As you said, good at preventing runs but some of the peripherals have slipped.

[Brock Beauchamp]

Thanks for the consistent updates on Hu. He's an intriguing arm with questions. A definite dark horse in the system.

[drjim]

Candlelight vigil?

 

 

 

[JaleelWhite FanClub]

(BTW – This entire email is being written with “Taps” playing in the background.)

Chih-Wei. Chih-Wei. We hardly got to know you. Where to begin.

Needless to say I didn’t like the trade. Mainly because it was a typical, predictable move from the Twins and Hu got shipped. Plus the Twins gave away a raw arm in addition to him. I am very disappointed Mr. Ryan didn’t consult me before the trade. I adopted him, dang it!!! (haha)

Seriously, I will continue to follow Hu throughout his career. At the risk of sounding too sentimental (and creepy) this season was my first foray into the “Adopt-a-Propsect” world. I picked Hu because his performance last year in Cedar Rapids caught my attention and thought he could be a good, under-the-radar player who might have a big year.

So when he came out of the gates gunning, it was awesome! His start to the year was really fun to follow. He was incredible. The TD crew and faithful, along with lots of members of the national media, took notice. Promotion talk was everywhere. His AAA spot start was a must-follow event. And he delivered.

He’s continued to be a solid starter for the Miracle all year. Here are his final stats for the 3 years in the Twins system.

41 G, 33 GS, 16-5 (W-L), 2.31 ERA, 198.1 IP, 156 H, 63 R, 51 R, 5 HR, 182 K, 46 BB, .215 AVG, 1.02 WHIP, 8.26 K/9, 2.09 BB/9, 0.23 HR/9, 3.96 K/BB.

That’s really impressive stuff, especially given his age and the fact, as with all international players, he had to acclimate to a new country and culture.

I’ll finish (weeping uncontrollably mind you) wishing good luck and rooting for Chih-Wei. Seriously, go win 4 Cy Youngs, an MVP, 3 World Series, and get a bust in Cooperstown, buddy.