Seung Song

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Washington Nationals #8 prospect in 2004
  Song was the key player for the Expos in the Cliff Floyd trade with Boston in July 2002. He became the first Harrisburg pitcher since Lew Krausse Sr. in 1933 to throw a no-hitter in the Eastern League when he beat Erie 2-1 on April 28, 2003. In July, he became the first player to appear in three Futures Games. Song throws strikes. The Expos adjusted his delivery, shortening his arm action. His fastball was a constant 88-90 mph in 2003, and his 72-74 mph curveball is a plus pitch when he commands it. He also throws a changeup and has played around with a splitter. Despite his no-hitter, Song hasn't been as dominant as he was in the Red Sox system. He lost about four miles an hour off both his fastball and curve. His strikeout rate declined even more dramatically, from 10.1 per nine innings over his first four pro seasons to 5.2 in 2003. Though Song rated as Boston's top prospect entering 2002, now he looks like a back-of-the-rotation starter. He should get a shot at cracking the Expos staff in 2004.
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  Ranked Washington Nationals #5 prospect in 2003
  Song entered 2002 as Boston's top prospect and pitched in the Futures Game for the second consecutive year. But after coming to Montreal in a trade for Cliff Floyd, he finished the summer under the care of the Expos' medical staff. Trying to impress his new organization, he overthrew in his first start and missed the remainder of the season with a shoulder injury that didn't require surgery. Song has uncanny command of two plus pitches: a 90-94 mph fastball with arm-side tail and a 77-78 mph curveball. His changeup is effective. He has a good idea how to pitch, mix speeds and throw strikes. His arm stroke is a bit long, but he maintains his release point and does a good job of hiding the ball. Song puts a lot of stress on his shoulder with his corkscrew delivery. The Expos addressed it before he began to rehabilitate his injury. He also had elbow problems before the trade. Song could form a devastating one-two punch with Josh Karp in Double-A. Barring any more health problems, Song could make his big league debut after the all-star break.
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  Ranked Boston Red Sox #1 prospect in 2002
  Song may not want the distinction of being Boston's No. 1 prospect, given his predecessors. Righthander Brian Rose (1998) has bounced around between four organizations in the last two years. First baseman/outfielder Dernell Stenson (1999, 2001) has fallen out of the top 15 before reaching the majors, while catcher Steve Lomasney (2000) has missed as many games as he has played in since ranking No. 1. The Red Sox have poured a lot of money into the Asian market with little to show for it so far, and Song is their best chance at a contributing big leaguer. He pitched Kyung Nam High to a Korean national title in 1998 before signing for $800,000 in February 1999. After leading the short-season New York-Penn League in strikeouts in 2000, Song finished second in the minors to Josh Beckett with a 1.90 ERA last season. He pitched a scoreless inning in the Futures Game in Seattle. Song has succeeded at every step because of his intelligence and feel for pitching. It also helps to have good stuff. He pitches anywhere from 90-94 mph with his fastball, and he can put it anywhere he wants. Managers rated his control the best in the low Class A South Atlantic League in 2001. Song's curveball can overmatch hitters when it's at its best, and he improved his changeup last year to the point where it's an effective third pitch. He mixes his pitches and changes speeds well, and his corkscrew delivery makes him deceptive. Song has allowed just seven longballs in 261 pro innings and doesn't have any problems with lefthanders. He has sound mechanics and is durable. He does like to throw his fastball up in the strike zone and get batters to chase it. More advanced hitters may lay off the pitch or punish it. He comes straight over the top, which costs him some life on his pitches. Like any young pitcher, he needs to make his secondary pitches more consistent. Having had no trouble in high Class A, Song probably will open 2002 in Double-A Trenton. If he continues his progress, he could reach Triple-A Pawtucket or perhaps even Boston by season's end. He projects as a No. 2 or 3 starter in the majors.
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  Ranked Boston Red Sox #7 prospect in 2001
  Song pitched his high school team to a national championship and was considered the top amateur in Korea when the Red Sox signed him to an $800,000 bonus. After a fine debut in the GCL in 1999, he led the New York-Penn League in strikeouts last season. Song is a power pitcher with exquisite command. He already touches 94 mph and has a 154-40 strikeout-walk ratio as a pro. He has taught himself a curveball that should give him a second above-average pitch. He has allowed just three homers in two years. His body is strong, especially his legs, and he has mastered English quickly, which should accelerate his development. Song tends to rely on his fastball and will need to throw his curve more often at higher levels. Currently his weakest pitch, his changeup will need more work as well. Song easily could go to Augusta this year and dominate to the extent that Baker did. The Red Sox were patient and left Baker there for all of 2000, and may do the same with Song this time. He's advanced for a young pitcher and could force a more aggressive timetable.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked Eastern League #16 prospect in 2002
  Song started the season as Boston's top-ranked prospect and finished the summer under the care of Montreal's medical staff. He was prepared to pass Lee as the EL's strikeout leader when he joined Harrisburg as part of a trade-deadline deal for Cliff Floyd Song, though, lasted just one start for Harrisburg, before missing the rest of the season with a shoulder injury. When he was healthy, he threw in the low 90s and also had a tough curveball. His control always has been a strength. "He has a good idea how to pitch," an AL scout said. "He changes speeds and he has good command, but I would be concerned with his health. He needs conditioning and he needs to add strength."
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  Ranked Florida State League #12 prospect in 2001
  Song was leading the South Atlantic League with a 2.04 ERA when he was promoted to Sarasota. He continued to baffle hitters with his diverse repertoire and pinpoint command, lowering his combined ERA for the year to 1.90. Song isn't overpowering, though his fastball creeps into the 92-93 mph range and he shows outstanding rotation on his curveball. He's aggressive with his fastball and goes right after hitters. "When you talk to hitters, they'll tell you he's sneaky," Bradshaw said. "They can't catch up to it well, it gets on them real quick." Song is a drop-and-drive pitcher with fundamentally sound mechanics. He limited FSL hitters to a .164 average and didn't allow more than two runs in any of his eight starts. "He has great command and a flawless delivery," Vero Beach pitching coach Marty Reed said. "He has command of all his pitches. He's smart and does all of the little things out there."
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  Ranked South Atlantic League #7 prospect in 2001
  The Red Sox have spent a lot of money on Asian prospects without getting much of a return, but so far their $800,000 investment in Song looks wise. He spent the first half of the season in the SAL before moving on to high Class A Florida State League after a detour to the Futures Game. Song throws his fastball in the low to mid-90s, and his curveball improved enough to give him a second plus pitch. Even without a quality changeup, he overmatched the league with a rare mix of heat, control and command. "He has excellent poise for his age," Boulanger said. "He's still learning but it looks like he's been pitching for a long time."
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  Ranked New York-Penn League #11 prospect in 2000
  Comparing the league's top two Asian pitchers, the managers gave a slight edge to Korea's Song over Taiwan's Chien-Ming Wang. Song may have been a notch below Lara, but he received his share of notice. He throws hard, but his breaking stuff hasn't developed as quickly as Lara's. That repertoire helped Song lead the NY-P with 93 strikeouts in 73 innings. He also showed excellent command and allowed just one homer all season.

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #60 prospect in 2002

• December, 2001 Scouting Report
  Song started the season as Boston's top-ranked prospect and finished the summer under the care of Montreal's medical staff. He was prepared to pass Lee as the EL's strikeout leader when he joined Harrisburg as part of a trade-deadline deal for Cliff Floyd Song, though, lasted just one start for Harrisburg, before missing the rest of the season with a shoulder injury. When he was healthy, he threw in the low 90s and also had a tough curveball. His control always has been a strength. "He has a good idea how to pitch," an AL scout said. "He changes speeds and he has good command, but I would be concerned with his health. He needs conditioning and he needs to add strength."
• December, 2000 Scouting Report
  The Red Sox have spent a lot of money on Asian prospects without getting much of a return, but so far their $800,000 investment in Song looks wise. He spent the first half of the season in the SAL before moving on to high Class A Florida State League after a detour to the Futures Game. Song throws his fastball in the low to mid-90s, and his curveball improved enough to give him a second plus pitch. Even without a quality changeup, he overmatched the league with a rare mix of heat, control and command. "He has excellent poise for his age," Boulanger said. "He's still learning but it looks like he's been pitching for a long time."
• December, 2000 Scouting Report
  Song was leading the South Atlantic League with a 2.04 ERA when he was promoted to Sarasota. He continued to baffle hitters with his diverse repertoire and pinpoint command, lowering his combined ERA for the year to 1.90. Song isn't overpowering, though his fastball creeps into the 92-93 mph range and he shows outstanding rotation on his curveball. He's aggressive with his fastball and goes right after hitters. "When you talk to hitters, they'll tell you he's sneaky," Bradshaw said. "They can't catch up to it well, it gets on them real quick." Song is a drop-and-drive pitcher with fundamentally sound mechanics. He limited FSL hitters to a .164 average and didn't allow more than two runs in any of his eight starts. "He has great command and a flawless delivery," Vero Beach pitching coach Marty Reed said. "He has command of all his pitches. He's smart and does all of the little things out there."
• December, 1999 Scouting Report
  Comparing the league's top two Asian pitchers, the managers gave a slight edge to Korea's Song over Taiwan's Chien-Ming Wang. Song may have been a notch below Lara, but he received his share of notice. He throws hard, but his breaking stuff hasn't developed as quickly as Lara's. That repertoire helped Song lead the NY-P with 93 strikeouts in 73 innings. He also showed excellent command and allowed just one homer all season.