Detroit Tigers sign Taiwanese pitcher Shao-Ching Chiang to a minor-league deal

The Former Indians Prospect Signs A Minor League Deal That Will Provide Depth at Toledo

The Detroit Tigers signed 26-year-old Shao-Ching Chiang to a minor league deal today with an invitation to spring training in February.

For Columbus, the 6-0 right-hander was 9-9 with an ERA of 5.15 and a WHIP of 1.53 and gave up 19 home runs in 26 starts. He features a fastball, change up and slider.  According to 2080 Baseball, he has a high 3/4 slot for his delivery and a fastball that sits 90-91 and features a change-up in the mid 80’s . He joined the Cleveland Indians organization in 2011 for $250,000.  After just making just 19 starts due to injuries from 2012 to 2015, he would make 27 starts for Single-A Lake County Captains, posting an ERA of 3.96 and only 26 walks in 152 innings pitched.  In 2017 at High-A Lynchburg, Chiang had an ERA of 3.67 and continued his great control with 22 walks in 122.2 IP. During his time at Lynchburg, he once threw a no-hitter and was named to the Carolina League All-Star team.

The adjustment to Double-A Akron took a bit after his called up there 2017. Just in 6 starts, he posted an ERA of 6.61 and a WHIP of 1.65 but showed better results in 2018, making 12 starts and posting an ERA of 2.90 and his walk rate was back down, as he just posted 14 walks in 71 innings pitched. That punched his ticket to Triple-A Columbus. For the Tigers, it will be interesting how he will be used as I could see him being used as in long relief for the Mud Hens.  The last Taiwanese pitcher that pitched for the Tigers was Fu-Te Ni in 2009 and he started in Toledo so, we shall see what happens from here.