Few pitchers created a louder buzz during the Arizona Fall League than Bong. The lefthander continued his impressive August at Greenville by displaying a plus-plus changeup and solid overall command in the AFL. The Korean had opened the season on a steady note in Double-A before making an emergency start in Atlanta on April 23, allowing five earned runs in six innings and taking a loss against Arizona. Bong then fell apart upon his return to the Southern League, losing six straight starts. He was demoted to the bullpen in order to focus on his control and aggressiveness, then re-entered the rotation in August and went 3- 1, 1.14 in his last five outings. In addition to his superb changeup with excellent fade and sink, the athletic Bong has a low-90s fastball that touches 94 mph, plus an improving curveball. He needs to command his fastball better and continue to develop his curve. Based on his development over the past two seasons, Bong has the potential to be a fine No. 3 or 4 starter. He's slated for Triple-A in 2003.
After several years showing flashes of his talent, Bong finally became consistent and took the steps Atlanta officials had been hoping to see in 2001. He was the Braves' first significant sign out of the Far East, though the organization has been very active in other parts of the world. After a difficult April and May at Myrtle Beach, he went 9-4, 1.97 during the season's last three months. Bong succeeds by mixing his pitches and maintaining command of all his offerings. He uses both sides of the plate and throws strikes. His fastball registers in the high 80s and showed more movement in 2001. His changeup may be his best pitch, while his curveball developed a sharper break. Bong is an excellent athlete who fields his position well and swings the bat much better than the average hurler. The Braves want to see Bong become more confident with all of his pitches. As a starter, he needs to stay on top of his curveball in order to have an effective third pitch, which will make his fastball and changeup even better. Bong may not be a top-of-the-rotation pitcher, but he has the stuff and the ability to have success similar to Kirk Rueter's. Bong is expected to spend most of 2002 at Greenville.
Bong is an excellent all-around athlete who was considered as promising a prospect as a hitter in Korea as he was on the mound. He hasn't been shy about his continued desire to swing the bat, a longing that may have affected his pitching efforts during the 1999 season. After looking anything but impressive last year during spring training, Bong rededicated himself and started to live up to his tremendous promise. The velocity of his fastball increased to 90-91 mph early last year, and his changeup showed marked improvement. Bong's primary weakness has been his inability to throw a consistent curveball. He has worked on a variety of grips but has yet to find one he can use to throw strikes on a regular basis. The Braves still believe Bong is just scratching the surface regarding his long-term potential. He's slated to return to Myrtle Beach this year to continue his work on his curve and his overall approach with pitching coach Bruce Dal Canton.
Minor League Top Prospects
Snitker admits that at midseason Bong wasn't close to belonging on this list. He posted a 5.20 ERA in his first 12 starts, losing the last six. But Bong found himself following a demotion to the bullpen, then returned to the rotation in August and went 3-1, 1.14. Pitching in relief, Bong started being more aggressive with his low-90s fastball that touches 94, his sharp curveball and his changeup. That approach helped his control as well as his bottom line. "As a starter he was trying to pace himself," Snitker said, "to go nine innings and pick here and pick there and save and save and save. Later, it was a night and day difference."
Bong's fastball isn't considered overpowering by major league standards, but it is deceptively difficult to hit because he works it so effectively through the strike zone. That makes him a perfect fit for the Braves organization, because he has tremendous control and the ability to work on both sides of the plate. After going 4-5, 5.23 in the first two months, Bong went 9-4, 1.97 the rest of the way. "He was our most improved pitcher this season," Snitker said. "He struggled a little bit in April and May, but he really came around. His command got better, his breaking ball improved and his fastball had some life on it."
Bong spent almost two full seasons in the SAL, which explains why scouts and managers were quicker to endorse his teammates. Bong didn’t improve statistically and fell short of a hoped-for breakthrough season.
But the trim Korean is still only 20, and he’s a lefthander with command of four pitches. His fastball reaches the low 90s. Interestingly, he was more impressive after a promotion to the Carolina League at the end of July.
"He was good, but not as impressive as Belisle and Butler," Montoyo said. "He’s pretty far along for his age, but you don’t get to see him that much."
Scouting Reports
Bong spent almost two full seasons in the SAL, which explains why scouts and managers were quicker to endorse his teammates. Bong didn’t improve statistically and fell short of a hoped-for breakthrough season.
But the trim Korean is still only 20, and he’s a lefthander with command of four pitches. His fastball reaches the low 90s. Interestingly, he was more impressive after a promotion to the Carolina League at the end of July.
"He was good, but not as impressive as Belisle and Butler," Montoyo said. "He’s pretty far along for his age, but you don’t get to see him that much."
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