Top outfield prospects in the NL

08/19/1999

Top outfield prospects in the NL
AUGUST 19, 1999
Minor League Report
The Sporting News

LOS ANGELES DODGERS

　　He is the ray of hope in their darkness. He is the shining light in the
bleak Dodger farm system: Class A left fielder Chin-Feng Chen. The Taiwanese
native is thriving during his first season in the United States and the
Dodger system. Chen has displayed all the tools -- and more -- that made the
Dodgers actively pursue and sign the free agent, who as an amateur homered
against Chan Ho Park in the Asian Games.

　　The righthanded batter has dominated the California League while playing
for San Bernardino. In 110 games, Chen leads the league with 101 RBIs. That
also marks the fifth-highest RBI total among all minor leaguers.

　　He has shown a remarkable ability to hit breaking pitches for someone so
new to professional ball, batting .311 (133-for-428). He also leads the
league with 24 homers. His .563 slugging percentage ranks third in the
league, and he has 18 doubles, nine triples and 82 runs.

　　The Dodgers knew Chen had excellent speed, but they didn't count on him
being so advanced on the basepaths. He has already stolen 29 bases.

Chen still is learning about the English language while making the adjustment
to this country. The Dodgers don't want to rush him, but he's making it hard
on them to keep him where he is for long.