Jenn-Lei Liao

JENN-LI LIAO, RIGHT HANDED PITCHER
Born: August 31, 1993
Height: 6’6″
Weight: 264
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
How Acquired: International Free Agent
Signed: Int’l Free Agent, 2014 (Pirates)
Country: Taiwan
Agent: N/A

WTM’S PIRATE PLAYER PROFILES
The Pirates signed Liao out of Taiwan.  He’s a huge guy, but for now throws in the upper-80s.  He also throws a curve and forkball.  At 20, Liao isn’t especially young, so he’ll head to the GCL rather than the Australian Academy.  He looks like a project.

2014
R:  1-2-0, 5.29 ERA, 1.59 WHIP, 17.0 IP, 8.5 BB/9, 6.4 K/9

Liao didn’t give up many hits, but struggled with his control.  He pitched exclusively in short relief stints and threw mainly in the upper-80s.

2015
R:  1-1-5, 4.82 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 18.2 IP, 2.9 BB/9, 6.3 K/9

Liao returned to the GCL and continued to pitch out of the bullpen, serving part of the time as the team’s closer.  He made significant strides with his control, but still didn’t miss many bats.

Liao could move up to Bristol in 2016.
CONTRACT INFORMATION
2016: Minor League Contract
PLAYER INFORMATION
Signing Bonus: N/A
MiLB Debut: 2014
MLB Debut: N/A
MiLB FA Eligible: 2020
MLB FA Eligible: N/A
Rule 5 Eligible: 2017
Added to 40-Man: N/A
Options Remaining: 3
MLB Service Time: 0.000
TRANSACTIONS
January 22, 2014: Signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates as an international free agent.