Catching up with Chen....

The Seattle Mariner site has their Fall League Notes article and the main focus is Yung Chi Chen (WI '05).

After injury, Chen thriving in AFL

Second baseman hopes to be in the mix in the bigs soon

You may ask, "What injury?"

Second baseman Yung Chi Chen never slides headfirst into a base anymore.

He stopped doing that more than a year ago when an unsuccessful theft of second base, while playing for Double-A San Antonio, became more than just another out. His left hand hit the base so hard that it dislocated his left shoulder and caused damage to the labrum.

"The trainer told me never to slide headfirst again," he said. "I learned my lesson."

The first injury in Chen's baseball career had to be surgically repaired and it still causes him occasional discomfort. But his performance in the Arizona Fall League demonstrates that he's someone in the Mariners' organization worth watching closely.

"I think I am close to reaching the Major Leagues," the confident Chen said.

The stats -- as of this morning -- had Chen hitting .419 with a homer and 11 RBI. For the SABR-inclined among you, his OPS is at 1.044 in 12 games with the Peoria Javelinas of the Arizona Fall League.

Chen thinks he is close to the Show. What does someone from the M's think? Let's see what a frequent visitor to Appleton says.

"He can handle the bat, no question," said Greg Hunter, the Mariners farm director. "He has hit at every level he's played and done a nice job defensively. He does everything adequately and is going to get better the more he plays."