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JIN-DE JHANG
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CATCHER
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Born: May 17, 1993 Height: 5′ 11″ Weight: 220 Bats: Left Throws: Right Signed: Int. FA, Pittsburgh Pirates, 2011 How Acquired: Int. FA Country: Taiwan Agent: N/A |
WTM’S PIRATE PLAYER PROFILES |
| Jhang was considered one of the top prospects in Taiwan when the Pirates signed him. He showed a good bat with power potential in training camp in 2012, and his bonus indicates that the Pirates consider him a real prospect. He hasn’t caught much, so his development behind the plate will play a big role in his progress through the system. In camp he showed a good arm but, not surprisingly, some mechanical issues. His name is often listed as Chin-De Chang, but the minor league roster listed him as shown above.
2012 Jhang had a strong debut in the GCL, leading Baseball America to name him the league’s 19th best prospect. He shared the catching position with Wyatt Mathisen, starting about half the time and sometimes entering the game in the late innings, as Mathisen was coming back from a foot injury. Jhang showed a good arm, throwing out 28%, and moved well behind the plate. Despite his stocky build, he runs decently, posting 4.3/4.4 time to first. He hit well, showing very good plate discipline. He didn’t hit for a lot of power, but that could come later. He went 10-22 against LHPs. It’s a very small sample size but hopefully indicates he’ll be able to handle lefties. Jhang opened 2013 in extended spring training. Most likely he’ll be the starting catcher for Jamestown, although it’s not out of the question that he could be assigned to West Virginia later. |
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STATS
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| Baseball Reference–Minors Fangraphs MiLB.com |
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CONTRACT INFORMATION
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| 2013: Minor League Contract |
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PLAYER INFORMATION
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| Signing Bonus: $250,000 MiLB Debut: 2012 MLB Debut: N/A MiLB FA Eligible: 2018 MLB FA Eligible: N/A Rule 5 Eligible: 2016 Added to 40-Man: N/A Options Remaining: 3 MLB Service Time: 0.000 |
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TRANSACTIONS
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| June 10, 2011: Signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates as an international free agent. |
