| Jen-Ho Tseng | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Tseng pitching for theTennessee Smokies in 2016 | |||||||||||||||
| Rakuten Monkeys – No. 23 | |||||||||||||||
| Pitcher | |||||||||||||||
| Born: (1994-10-03)October 3, 1994 (age 30) Kaohsiung City,Taiwan | |||||||||||||||
Bats: Left Throws: Right | |||||||||||||||
| Professional debut | |||||||||||||||
| MLB: September 14, 2017, for the Chicago Cubs | |||||||||||||||
| CPBL: September 16, 2021, for the Rakuten Monkeys | |||||||||||||||
| MLB statistics (through 2018 season) | |||||||||||||||
| Win–loss record | 1–0 | ||||||||||||||
| Earned run average | 9.00 | ||||||||||||||
| Strikeouts | 11 | ||||||||||||||
| CPBL statistics (through 2024 season) | |||||||||||||||
| Win–loss record | 15–13 | ||||||||||||||
| Earned run average | 3.93 | ||||||||||||||
| Strikeouts | 169 | ||||||||||||||
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |||||||||||||||
| Teams | |||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
Medals
| |||||||||||||||
Jen-Ho Tseng (Chinese:曾仁和; born 3 October 1994) is a Taiwanese professionalbaseballpitcher for theRakuten Monkeys of theChinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL). He has previously played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for theChicago Cubs.
Tseng was signed by theChicago Cubs as a non-drafted free agent on July 25, 2013.[1] Tseng spent 2014 with the Single-AKane County Cougars where he posted a 6–1 record with a 2.40 ERA.[2] In 2015, Tseng pitched for the High-AMyrtle Beach Pelicans where he posted a 3.55 ERA, and in 2016, he pitched for the Double-ATennessee Smokies, where he posted a 4.26 ERA.[3][2]
In 2017, he started the season with Tennessee and was elevated to the Triple-AIowa Cubs, where his combined record was 13–4 with a 2.54 ERA.[4][5] On September 13, 2017, he was named the Cubs minor league pitcher of the year.[6] He was called to the majors to make his Major League debut with the Cubs on September 14, 2017 against theNew York Mets. Tseng's first career strikeout was againstTravis d'Arnaud of theNew York Mets on September 14, 2017.[7][8] Tseng had a rough start, however, dropping a relay throw fromAnthony Rizzo to field a ground ball. Tseng allowed five runs, including back-to-back homers from d'Arnaud andDominic Smith. However, the Cubs stormed back to win 14-6.[citation needed]
MLB.com ranked Tseng as Chicago's twelfth best prospect going into the 2018 season.[9] Tseng spent the majority of the season in Iowa, where he struggled to a 2-15 record and 6.27 ERA in 26 starts. In his only appearance for the Cubs, Tseng allowed 3 runs in 2.0 innings of work.[10] On April 6, 2019, Tseng wasdesignated for assignment by Chicago.[11][12] Tseng was released by the Cubs organization on April 11.[13]
On April 17, 2019, Tseng signed a minor league contract with theTexas Rangers organization.[14] Tseng pitched one game apiece with the Low-ASpokane Indians and the Rangers' rookie-level affiliate, theArizona League Rangers, but spent most of the year on the disabled list with a shoulder injury.[15] On November 4, he elected free agency.[16]
On July 1, 2021, Tseng announced that he would enter the mid-season draft in theChinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL).[17] On July 11, Tseng was selected by theRakuten Monkeys with the team's third pick in the draft.[18]
Tseng representedChinese Taipei national baseball team at the 2011 Asian Junior Championship,2012 World Junior Baseball Championship,2012 Asian Baseball Championship,2013 World Baseball Classic Qualifiers and2013 World Baseball Classic.
He debuted for the national team when he was just 18 years old. His sister also pitched for Taiwan's women national team.
Tseng was 0–1 with a 1.80 ERA in the 2011 Asian Junior Championship.
In the 2012 World Junior Baseball Championship, he was superb at 3–0, 0.84 with a save. In 21 1/3 innings, he fanned 22 and allowed only 12 hits and 2 walks. He beat Canada, South Korea and Colombia. He was second in the event in strikeouts (four behind Shintaro Fujinami), led in wins and tied Jae-min Shim for the most appearances (6). He was named the tourney's All-Star relief pitcher.[19][20]
Jen-Ho then was the only high schooler picked for Taiwan's squad in the 2013 World Baseball Classic Qualifiers, 3 1/2 years younger thanYao-Lin Wang, the next-youngest).[citation needed] He made his lone appearance in their 9–0 win overNew Zealand in the finale. RelievingKai-Wen Cheng with a 7–0 lead in the 7th, he retired Moko Moanaroa then walked Beau Bishop. Tseng recovered to fan two players with minor league experience in theAlan Schoenberger and Tim Auty, to end the inning. He was replaced byYen-Feng Lin in the 8th. He remained with Taiwan for the 2012 Asian Baseball Championship, going 1–0 and tossing six shutout innings; he beat rivalSouth Korea to help ensure Taiwan getting a Silver Medal and Korea the Bronze.
Tseng is a 6 ft 1 in, 210 lb right-handed pitcher. He throws a fastball around 90 mph (tops out at 95),knuckle-curve,sinker,changeup, and acutter.[21]
Jen-Ho Tseng's older sister Tseng Chi is also a professional baseball player.[22][23]
