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mike klis
Rockies in too much of a hurry with Tsao
By Mike Klis, Post Sports Writer
This is a rush job.
No matter how well Chin-Hui Tsao pitches the rest of this season, a century
of big-league baseball lessons state the Rockies are probably hurrying their
top pitching prospect to the majors before he's properly developed.
In the first inning of his major-league debut Friday, the 22-year-old Tsao was
able to blow a 93 mph fastball past Scott Podsednik for strike one, make Geoff
Jenkins look foolish for swinging at a changeup for strike two, and cause
Richie Sexson to glare at the umpire for catching him looking at a slider for
strike three.
But in the marathon that is a major-league career, there is reason to fear
Tsao became the first pitcher from Taiwan to reach the majors only because
the Rockies were ready for him, and not the other way around.
Tsao is a major-league pitcher even though he had not thrown one inning at
the Triple-A level. Never had Tsao faced a hitter better than Double-A
quality until Milwaukee's Eric Young stepped in to begin Tsao's first game.
It marked the first time the Rockies have permitted one of their own
farm-grown pitchers to completely skip the Triple-A level, where Sky Sox
Stadium is supposed to provide an ideal altitude training ground.
Colorado's favorite E.Y., no stranger to making Rockies history as a leadoff
batter, belted a home run off Tsao's second pitch.
It's not that Rockies general manager Dan O'Dowd and manager Clint Hurdle
weren't aware of the risks. Hurdle, as much as anyone, understands how
enormous expectations can damage a well- hyped prospect's major-league
baseball card. He wanted Tsao anyway.
"Why do things the same way, just to do things the same," Hurdle said. "We
thought his skills were advanced enough to make the jump."
O'Dowd's background includes extensive experience in running the Indians'
minor- league system. Yet, he, too, decided Tsao's development could be
enhanced by pitching in the big leagues.
Surprised by the decision to push Tsao? A closer check into O'Dowd's track
record as farm director makes it easier to understand. In 1990, the Cleveland
Indians called up their top pitching prospect, Charles Nagy, all the way from
Double-A, bypassing their Triple A Colorado Springs club.
O'Dowd had some explaining to do to Sky Sox followers. Back then, Indians
executives saw no benefit to having their best prospects pitch in high
altitude. Besides mastering a changeup and throwing a fastball for strike
one, the biggest need for every minor-league pitcher is confidence. And it's
not easy for a pitcher to feel good about himself when his ego is getting
pummeled into thin air.
There is some thought among Rockies that to a special talent such as Tsao,
the experience of pitching in altitude can bring more harm than good. Nagy
initially struggled in the majors, going 2-4 with a 5.91 ERA to finish up the
1990 season, then 10-15 the next year. But from then on, Nagy posted six
seasons of at least 15 wins, including five in a row from 1995-99.
Tsao is more talented than Nagy.
But will Tsao eventually post six 15-win seasons for the Rockies? If he does,
his No. 71 will wind up painted in honor on the Coors Field outfield wall.
The lessons that baseball's long history teaches haven't changed, but more
and more of its students are ignoring them. Dontrelle Willis has yet to pitch
a Triple A inning. As Willis stood in front of his All-Star locker two weeks
ago, no one asked him if he thought he had been rushed.
The Cincinnati Reds just called up pitcher Ryan Wagner a month after they
drafted him. Wagner had just nine minor-league games of experience. Next to
Wagner, Tsao is a minor-league has-been.
After watching Tsao pitch 6 1/3 innings to win his big-league debut Friday,
it was easy to understand why Rockies executives couldn't contain their
excitement. His electric fastball originates not from the long-legged,
tall-trunk delivery of a Jamey Wright, but from an easy, rocking-chair motion.
Unlike John Thomson, Tsao can throw a breaking ball in a count that usually
leaves no other choice but a fastball.
After E.Y. welcomed him to the big leagues with a humbling homer, Tsao didn't
get flustered, as Bryan Rekar would have done, but settled down.
It's already obvious Tsao has tremendous talent and has a chance to become a
great pitcher. But what needs to be asked is: Are the Rockies giving Tsao the
best chance to achieve long-lasting greatness by calling him up this soon?
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