Po-Yu Chen Called up to Low-A Bradenton

The Pirates made a slew of moves Wednesday, including a minor-league call-up. The Pirates called up Po-Yu Chen to the Bradenton Marauders. Chen was signed extremely late in October of 2020 out of Taiwan. Chen signed for an incredible $1.25 million, making him one of the highest-paid international signings by the Pirates ever.

Some videos I took of Taiwanese RHP Po-Yu Chen from his game vs. Panama today. Chen is considered a top Taiwanese pitching prospect eligible to be signed in 2020. Lots of ML scouts in the stands to watch him.

FB: 89~91, SL: 78~80, CU: 71~74, above avg command. Looks SP-ish. pic.twitter.com/ZUljPwbO7w

— Sung Min Kim (@sung_minkim) August 30, 2019

Chen was found by Pirates scout Fu-Chun Chiang, and Chiang even spent many months getting to know Chen’s family and established a relationship in good standing. Before signing with Pittsburgh, Chen had won the U-18 Gold Medal for Chinese-Taipei and is known for his unusual control of his pitches.

Big news here for Pirates prospects promotions. Po-Yu Chen was the top signing of the Pirates during the 2019-20 international signing period, someone who the Pirates made multiple trades to get int'l bonus pool space to sign him. He has dominated the FCL this year https://t.co/3wA9u1DdGM

— John Dreker (@JohnDreker) August 25, 2021

During the 2021 season, Chen has amassed 26.0 innings of work in six starts, has a 0.69 ERA, 29 strikeouts, and has yet to walk a batter, all for the FCL Pirates Black team. The 19-year-old stands 6-foot-2 and weighs in at 187 pounds.

We could see another inch or two in growth and some pounds put on; if Chen fills out, there is a chance to see an uptick in velocity. Hopefully, with that uptick and rise through the ranks, he can maintain his control.