TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwanese baseball prospect Ko Ching-hsien (柯敬賢) is gaining attention in the minor leagues as one of the top young players in the Los Angeles Dodgers system, ranked 16th among more than 200 prospects.
The 19-year-old outfielder is entering his second full season in the US and is currently the only Taiwanese player in the Dodgers’ farm system. Standing 191 cm and weighing 97 kg, the left-handed hitter is known for his strong plate discipline, rarely striking out or chasing bad pitches, per UDN.
However, Ko has been addressing his tendency to hit too many ground balls, which often result in easy outs. To refine his swing, he spent much of spring training on the sidelines, focusing on batting cage work and live batting practice since mid-January.
Although minor league preseason games began weeks ago, Ko made his spring debut on Tuesday to continue his adjustments. He was also absent from Spring Breakout, despite initially being listed on the roster, opting instead to focus on improving his mechanics.
Ko said he needed a new swing to hit fewer ground balls and more fly balls. His performance last season in the Rookie League and Single-A showed a ground ball-to-fly ball ratio of 1.38:1, indicating a clear imbalance.
He likened the adjustment to a golf swing, explaining that creating more space in his backhand would help lift the ball and avoid driving it into the ground. His coaches have echoed this analogy, encouraging him to generate better swing angles.
Ko emphasized patience in his development, saying he prefers not to return to full competition until his adjustments are complete. “If I go back to bat before I’m fully prepared, I might revert to my old form,” he said.
He also noted the challenge of facing high-velocity pitching in the US minor leagues, where fastballs can reach up to 159 kph. With his previous swing, he risked being overpowered, leading to foul balls or poor contact. A refined swing, he said, would give him more time and space to attack pitches effectively.
When the Dodgers signed Ko, scouts projected him as a left-handed outfielder with strong strike-zone awareness and power. He drew comparisons to fellow Dodger Cody Bellinger.
Ko said his hard work is already paying off. His exit velocity has improved from around 164 kph in 2024 to 174 kph this year. It peaked at 182 kph, considered elite by professional standards.
During his first full season last year, Ko encountered more advanced pitching. He said the experience taught him the importance of developing a hitting strategy and studying opposing pitchers.
“In the Rookie League, pitchers might start with two fastballs,” he said. “But in Single-A, they mix in breaking balls much earlier, making it more unpredictable.”
Ko said preparation has become essential, including understanding pitchers’ tendencies in different situations. According to the Dodgers’ official projections, Ko could reach the major leagues around 2029. For now, he remains focused on development in a highly competitive minor league environment.
“I enjoy challenging environments,” he said. “Even if there are players better than me, I believe that as long as I work hard enough, I can surpass them.”
Ko followed this year’s World Baseball Classic closely, noting the strong performance of his former teammate Lin Wei-en (林維恩). He expressed hope of one day representing Taiwan on the international stage.
Still younger than most players on Taiwan’s national team roster, Ko said he is gaining confidence each day. He hopes that once his swing adjustments are complete, his performance and power will attract the attention of coaches and fans alike.
