Jen-Ho Tseng

Jen-Ho Tseng (Chinese: 曾仁和; born 3 October 1994) is a Taiwanese professional baseball pitcher for the Rakuten Monkeys of the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL). He previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Chicago Cubs.

Jen-Ho Tseng
Tseng pitching for the Tennessee Smokies in 2016
Rakuten Monkeys – No. 37
Pitcher
Born: (1994-10-03) 3 October 1994
Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
Bats: Left
Throws: Right
Professional debut
MLB: September 14, 2017, for the Chicago Cubs
CPBL: September 16, 2021, for the Rakuten Monkeys
MLB statistics
(through 2018 season)
Win–loss record1–0
Earned run average9.00
Strikeouts11
CPBL statistics
(through 2021 season)
Win–loss record1–2
Earned run average2.45
Strikeouts22
Teams
Medals
Men's baseball
Representing  Chinese Taipei
18U Baseball World Championship
Bronze medal – third place 2012 Seoul Team

Career

Chicago Cubs

Tseng was signed by the Chicago Cubs as a non-drafted free agent on July 25, 2013.[1] Tseng spent 2014 with the Single-A Kane County Cougars where he posted a 6–1 record with a 2.40 ERA.[2] In 2015, Tseng pitched for the High-A Myrtle Beach Pelicans where he posted a 3.55 ERA, and in 2016, he pitched for the Double-A Tennessee Smokies, where he posted a 4.26 ERA.[3][2]

In 2017, he started the season with Tennessee and was elevated to the Triple-A Iowa Cubs, where his combined record was 13–4 with a 2.54 ERA.[4][5] On September 13, 2017, he was named the Cubs minor league pitcher of the year.[6] He was called to the majors to make his Major League debut with the Cubs on September 14, 2017 against the New York Mets. Tseng's first career strikeout was against Travis d'Arnaud of the New York Mets on September 14, 2017.[7][8] Tseng had a rough start, however, dropping a relay throw from Anthony Rizzo to field a ground ball. Tseng allowed five runs, including back-to-back homers from d'Arnaud and Dominic Smith. However, the Cubs stormed back to win 14-6.

MLB.com ranked Tseng as Chicago's twelfth best prospect going into the 2018 season.[9] Tseng spent the majority of the season in Iowa, where he struggled to a 2-15 record and 6.27 ERA in 26 starts. In his only appearance for the Cubs, Tseng allowed 3 runs in 2.0 innings of work.[10] On April 6, 2019, Tseng was designated for assignment by Chicago.[11][12] Tseng was released by the Cubs organization on April 11.[13]

Texas Rangers

On April 17, 2019, Tseng signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers organization.[14] Tseng pitched one game apiece with the Low-A Spokane Indians and the Rangers' Rookie League team, the AZL Rangers, but spent most of the year on the disabled list with a shoulder injury.[15] On November 4, 2019, he elected free agency.[16]

Rakuten Monkeys

On July 1, 2021, Tseng announced that he would enter the mid-season draft in the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL).[17] On July 11, Tseng was selected by the Rakuten Monkeys with the team's third pick in the draft.[18]

International career

Tseng represented Chinese Taipei national baseball team at the 2011 Asian Junior Championship, 2012 World Junior Baseball Championship, 2012 Asian Baseball Championship, 2013 World Baseball Classic Qualifiers and 2013 World Baseball Classic.

He debuted for the national team when he was just 18 years old. His sister also pitched for Taiwan's women national team.

Tseng was 0–1 with a 1.80 ERA in the 2011 Asian Junior Championship.

In the 2012 World Junior Baseball Championship, he was superb at 3–0, 0.84 with a save. In 21 1/3 innings, he fanned 22 and allowed only 12 hits and 2 walks. He beat Canada, South Korea and Colombia. He was second in the event in strikeouts (four behind Shintaro Fujinami), led in wins and tied Jae-min Shim for the most appearances (6). He was named the tourney's All-Star relief pitcher.[19][20]

Jen-Ho then was the only high schooler picked for Taiwan's squad in the 2013 World Baseball Classic Qualifiers, 3 1/2 years younger than Yao-Lin Wang, the next-youngest). He made his lone appearance in their 9–0 win over New Zealand in the finale. Relieving Kai-Wen Cheng with a 7–0 lead in the 7th, he retired Moko Moanaroa then walked Beau Bishop. Tseng recovered to fan two players with minor league experience in the Alan Schoenberger and Tim Auty, to end the inning. He was replaced by Yen-Feng Lin in the 8th. He remained with Taiwan for the 2012 Asian Baseball Championship, going 1–0 and tossing six shutout innings; he beat rival South Korea to help ensure Taiwan getting a Silver Medal and Korea the Bronze.

Pitching style

Tseng is a 6 ft 1 in, 210 lb right-handed pitcher. He throws a fastball around 90 mph (tops out at 95), knuckle-curve, sinker, changeup, and a cutter.[21]

Personal life

Jen-Ho Tseng's older sister Tseng Chi is also a professional baseball player.[22][23]

See also

References
  1. "Cubs Sign Jen-Ho Tseng". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved 2017-09-14.
  2. "Jen-Ho Tseng Minor Leagues Statistics & History | Baseball-Reference.com". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2017-09-14.
  3. "Jen-Ho Tseng Stats, Highlights, Bio | MiLB.com Stats | The Official Site of Minor League Baseball". MiLB.com. Retrieved 2017-09-14.
  4. "Cubs Minor League Daily: Tseng To Iowa, Sudden Free Agent High School Pitcher". Bleacher Nation | Chicago Cubs News, Rumors, and Commentary. 2017-07-08. Retrieved 2017-09-14.
  5. "Iowa Cubs' Jen-Ho Tseng draws comparisons to Kyle Hendricks". Des Moines Register. Retrieved 2017-09-14.
  6. Skrbina, Paul. "Cubs name Victor Caratini, Jen-Ho Tseng minor-league player, pitcher of the year". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 2017-09-14.
  7. Skrbina, Paul. "There's a new starter in town for Cubs — for now — Jen-Ho Tseng". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 2017-09-14.
  8. "Cubs Announce Minor League Player and Pitcher of the Year: Victor Caratini, Jen-Ho Tseng". Bleacher Nation | Chicago Cubs News, Rumors, and Commentary. 2017-09-14. Retrieved 2017-09-14.
  9. "Cubs' Top 30 Prospects list reflects focus on pitching". MLB.com. Retrieved February 22, 2018.
  10. "Jen-Ho Tseng Minor & CPBL Leagues Statistics & History".
  11. Bastian, Jordan (April 6, 2019). "Cubs option struggling Edwards to Triple-A". MLB.com. Retrieved April 7, 2019.
  12. Rogers, Jesse (April 6, 2019). "Cubs make moves, shuffle beleaguered bullpen". ESPN.com. Retrieved April 7, 2019.
  13. "Cubs Release Jen-Ho Tseng".
  14. "Rangers' Jen-Ho Tseng: Signs with Rangers". CBS Sports. April 17, 2019. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  15. "Rangers' Jen-Ho Tseng: Slowed by shoulder issue".
  16. Matt Eddy (November 7, 2019). "Minor League Free Agents 2019". Baseball America. Retrieved November 7, 2019.
  17. @GOCPBL (1 July 2021). "Former MLB right-hander 曾仁和 (Tseng Jen-Ho) confirmed he will enter the 2021 #CPBL mid-season draft. Tseng is likely…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  18. "2021 CPBL Draft Results, Signing Tracker". 12 July 2021.
  19. "Cubs have deal with Taiwan right-hander Tseng". MLB.com.
  20. "18U BWC: Chinese Taipei claims Bronze behind Gem of Jen Ho Tseng".
  21. "Getting to Know Tonight's Cubs Starter: Rookie Jen-Ho Tseng". Bleacher Nation | Chicago Cubs News, Rumors, and Commentary. 2017-09-14. Retrieved 2017-09-14.
  22. Yeh, Joseph (4 February 2018). "Taiwanese 'trailblazers' join Japan's women's pro baseball league". Central News Agency. Retrieved 5 February 2018.
  23. Neo, Mabel (5 February 2018). "Taiwanese Pride! These ladies are joining the Japan's Women's Professional Baseball League". Taiwan News. Retrieved 5 February 2018.
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