Taking another big stride toward becoming the country's first major league baseball player, Chen Chin-feng (陳金鋒) starts the new season as a first-baseman in the Triple-A.
According to Chen's team, the LA Dodgers, a change of position from left-field to first base is intended to give him better odds of making it into the majors.
"We observed Chen's personality and found him willing to accept changes in defensive positions," said Vincent Liao at the LA Dodgers Asia Department, quoting Dodgers coaches.
"We know that he will do his best to learn the defensive skills for the new position, so we've decided to let him try first base and give him more opportunities to play in the major league."
Liao said this change of position was decided jointly by Jim Tracy and Don Evens, the manager and general manager of the Dodgers respectively.
Chen was said to be happy with this arrangement and he was preparing to fly to Las Vegas and join the Dodgers' Las Vegas 51s for the new Triple-A season.
Liao said the Dodgers had arranged a personal coach for Chen with an extra hour of training daily because of the change in position.
Chen's position originally was first batter and central fielder.
Now, the player will leave the wide lawn he's used to for a while, and learn new skills for infield defense, such as covers and side throws as distinct from over-throws in out-field defense.
Chen should not have any complaints with his new training regimen, as it is his short-cut to the major league, Liao said.
The Dodgers created this position for Chen by releasing a first baseman in the Las Vegas 51s.
The idea is that this position will provide cover for the Dodgers' first baseman Eric Karros.
He is the only first baseman in the 25-man Dodgers' roster this season and according to plans revealed by Dodgers' management, the two bench players for first base -- Paul Lo Duca and Dave Hansen -- will be moved to other positions. Lo Duca will be asked to concentrate on the catcher position and Hansen will be playing as pinch hitter.
This puts Chen in the second-choice spot for first baseman at the Dodgers.
The reason why the Dodgers continue to create chances for Chen, however, is his hitting.
In 1999 he achieved the first-ever 30-30 (home runs and steals) season in Class A California League history and has put a lackluster season in 2000 behind him. He was 0.313-17-50 season in 66 Double-A games last year after undergoing shoulder surgery.
Chen's performance at the World Baseball Cup in Taiwan late last year was also a breakthrough in terms of achievement.
Returning home to play for the national team, he scored three crucial home runs in two games against South Korea and Japan.
His batting not only helped Taiwan win the bronze medal, but also showed he is among the top hitters in Asia.
"He has become more confident, he knows he is a major-league player, and he knows what his strengths are," Liao said.
The Dodgers put him in the team's 40-man roster after his outstanding performance at the World Cup. "We can tell the difference," Liao said.
Chen himself seems to recognize that the time is near for him to play in the majors and he told local media during the World Cup, "Maybe this is my last amateur game. That's why I've been doing so well. I want people to remember me."
"My understanding of a major league player is to know yourself and know your rivals," Chen said.
It is time that Chen did know himself and time that he got to know his rivals in the majors.
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