Bruce Chen

Bruce Kastulo Chen (born June 19, 1977 in Panama City, Panama) (Traditional Chinese: ???, pinyin: Chén Yòngca?) is a starting pitcher who currently plays for the Baltimore Orioles. He previously played for the Houston Astros, Boston Red Sox, Cincinnati Reds, Montreal Expos, New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies, and Atlanta Braves. He attended Institute of Panama.

Related Topics:
June 19 - 1977 - Panama City, Panama - Traditional Chinese - Pinyin - Starting pitcher - Baltimore Orioles - Houston Astros - Boston Red Sox - Cincinnati Reds - Montreal Expos - New York Mets - Philadelphia Phillies - Atlanta Braves - Institute of Panama

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Chen has found it difficult to shed the "journeyman" label - a label supported by the number of organizations he has been through. Though he was once a top prospect for the Atlanta Braves system, his inability to maintain a level of consistency at the Major League level has made it difficult for him to stick. One might trace this inconsistency to his penchant for giving up home runs (93 in 528 1/3 innings pitched as of today.)

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He appears, however, to have turned the corner playing for the Baltimore Orioles. He has added a changeup to his repertoire of pitches, which includes a 87-90 mph fastball, and a slow, 12-6 curveball. Though it is too early to tell whether he will maintain this level of success, his 11 starts for the Orioles, from the end of 2004 through today, indicate that he is well on his way to fulfilling the enormous potential that made him such a highly regarded prospect earlier in his career.

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