Detroit's second signing of a player from Taiwan, left-hander Fu-Te Ni, in two years can be taken as an indication the Tigers intend to become much more active in their pursuit of players from across the Pacific Ocean.
The Tigers hinted at the move last fall with the naming of Kevin Hooker as their Pacific Rim scouting coordinator. Last April, Detroit signed its first native of Taiwan, outfielder Chao-Ting Tang. Tang, 21, batted .222 in 38 games with the rookie Gulf Coast League Tigers last summer. He had one home run and 15 RBI.
Ni, 26, is a lefty who throws in the high 80s and lower 90s and is described as having a decent curve and a good changeup. He's not overpowering, which would explain his relatively low signing bonus of about $15,000, and statistics from his league show he's more effective against right-handed hitters than lefties.
But the Tigers think converting him from starting to relieving will make him more effective. He is expected to open the season in Class AA or Class AAA to get adjusted to baseball -- and life -- in the United States.
Ni spent the past two seasons pitching for the China Trust Whales in the Chinese Professional Baseball League. Last year he was 5-12 with a 3.34 ERA and 132 strikeouts in 145 1/3 innings. His strikeout total led the league.
He was third in the league with 125 strikeouts in 2007, when he went 7-12 with a 3.53 ERA in 122 1/3.
"Our personnel that have scouted Ni project him as a major league pitcher," general manager Dave Dombrowski said.
