Fresh Fur Part 3: RP Ming-Hao Jing (Hoppy Endings, pre Sim 1) [PP:2057.07]

[neugey]

GM Mike Bauer was likely happy this week to his waiver claim go through. The team has added reliever Ming-Hoa Jing to the mix, and it appears that the new reliever will make the major league bullpen for the start of the 2057 season.

Jing was drafted in the 8th round by New Orleans in 2051, but then was released and eventually landed with Montreal. Despite not pitching the best in the minors, scouts loved his ceiling, even at one point ranking him as high as the #5 overall prospect.

In 2055 he made his debut in the Blazers bullpen and had a very nice rookie showing. The righty recorded a 3.41 ERA and 1.15 WHIP in 89.2 innings of work. However in 2056, he struggled out of the gate and Montreal sent him down to the minors for the rest of the season.

This offseason the Blazers apparently decided to go in another direction for the bullpen and the Jackrabbits chose to pounce. The team is reportedly happy to add Jing, with scouts still raving about his lethal curveball, steady fastball and still improving changeup. Though Jing views himself as a starting pitcher, his control is not quite where it needs to be in order to be trusted.

“We loved what Jing did in 2055 and we’re anticipating more productivity like that,” remarked Bauer. “He’ll start in the bullpen this year in a setup role. We think Jing has the ability to stay in our bullpen for multiple years to come. This is probably one of the most exciting moves we’ve made this offseason, at least from an upside perspective.”