Published Jul 22, 2011 at 3:00 am (Updated Jul 22, 2011)
MANCHESTER
FOR GOOD LUCK, Sea Dogs outfielder Chih-Hsien Chiang wears a silver ring on a
necklace - a family heirloom - that provides mystical powers.
At least that's one theory. How else to explain the powerful and precise
swing of Chiang, who leads the Eastern League in slugging (.642), extra-base
hits (54) and RBIs (70) entering tonight's game against the Fisher Cats? In
the series opener at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium, Chiang barreled up on a
Chad Beck fastball, belting a solo homer at least 410 feet over the
center-field wall. The swing and 17th homer of the year looked effortless.
The Taiwan native rarely breaks a bat - OK, he has cracked one handle this
month - squaring up pitches to the tune of a .330 average and
franchise-record 68 doubles and three grand slams.
Chiang, 23, homered in four straight games this season and was invited to the
XM All-Star Futures Game at Phoenix, in addition to last week's
Eastern-League All-Star Game hosted by the Fisher Cats.
"Major-league bat. Good balance. Plus-bat speed."
That's how Fisher Cats manager Kevin Boles describes the No. 3 hitter, who
took extra batting practice despite the oppressive heat at the park Thursday.
Chiang always makes a beeline to the indoor cage when stepping off the bus in
Manchester.
"It's fun to watch the process because he's driven to succeed," Boles said.
Chiang, blessed with good size (6-foot-2, 180 pounds) and muscle, is most
proud of his mental toughness this season. He slumped a bit in April, hitting
.225 with no power. Sea Dogs staffers say he shows little emotion, whether
the hits are falling or not.
"I have a better control of my mental game. No matter if I'm struggling or if
I strike out every time, I can fight against it and separate (at-bats).
That's what I've been working on most," Chiang said, speaking through team
interpreter and coach Mickey Jiang.
"As a hitter, I'm trying to be more selective, don't swing at the pitcher's
pitch."
Chiang grew up in the suburbs of Taitung, Taiwan, and didn't watch much Major
League Baseball, though Hideki Matsui became his idol. Chiang did, however,
live and breathe baseball with an older brother who played for the 1995
Little League World Series champs. (No, Chiang didn't make the trip to
Williamsport, Pa.) He played on Taiwan's national teams as a teenager and
signed a $375,000 free-agent contract with the Red Sox in 2005.
"It's a dream come true. I feel a lot of pride. Even though I'm not wearing a
Boston jersey, I wear the (Red Sox) patch, and it's an honor," he said. "I
want to thank fans for all the support. Hopefully they can get to know
Chich-Hsien Chiang, and I can help the team win up there."
For sure, it's a breakout year for Chiang, but he remains humble.
"Hitting is a challenge. If you can hit a ball to the gap or hit a ball off
the wall, it's a tremendous achievement," he said.
Red Sox fans are going to start hearing more about Chiang's lefty bat. He
arrived in Manchester with a .467 average through the past 15 games. He'll
soon compete for a right-field job with the Sox along with countryman
Che-Hsuan Lin, currently playing for Pawtucket.
.
ALL-STAR MATCHUPS: Four Eastern League All-Stars take the mound at the
Northeast Delta diamond tonight and Saturday. Fisher Cats righty Zach Stewart
(4-5, 4.47 ERA) takes the mound tonight at 7:05 against Portland righty
Stephen Fife (10-3, 3.94 ERA).
Saturday's night's game features New Hampshire righty Joel Carreno (7-7, 4.47
ERA) and Portland righty Alex Wilson (8-4, 2.87 ERA).
http://www.unionleader.com/article/20110722/SPORTS/707229961
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