While many of Taiwan's best young baseball players are seeking their fortunes in North America, pitcher Chang Chih-chia (
One of Taiwan's most promising pro prospects heads north to Japan on Monday, determined to make a career in the country that traditionally has been home to be home to the best Taiwanese players.
The right-hander signed with the Seibu Lions for an estimated ?120 million (nearly US$1 million) bonus and an annual salary of ?20 million. He joins four other Taiwanese players in Japan.
Chang caught the eyes of Japanese scouts last November at the Baseball World Cup in Taiwan.
Still playing as an amateur, Chang shut out a team of Japanese pros to give Taiwan the bronze medal.
The cocky 22-year-old had relished the chance to show his stuff before scouts from Japan and the Major Leagues. Following the bronze medal win, he made no secret of his desire to play overseas.
"I thought it would be good for me to play in the Baseball World Cup so I could make more of a name for myself," he said.
Following his discharge from the military, Chang made a brief stop with the Taiwan Major League while also taking the time to record an album.
The TML assigned him to the Taipei Gida, where he went 3-2 with a 1.62 ERA this spring.
Chang not only joins fellow Taiwan national team pitcher Hsu Ming-chien (
Hsu pitched first pitched professionally with the TML and then landed with Seibu in a deal arranged by Taiwanese pitching great and TML advisor Kuo Tai-yuan (
Chang will report to Seibu's farm team and is expected to be called up in June.
He is setting his sights against another Seibu teammate."The person that I really want to beat, or exceed, to tell the truth, is Daisuke Matsuzaka. I've pitched against him, and I have a very good idea about his abilities. I take him as my goal. It will be something to push me on," Chang reportedly said.
Matsuzaka, who was Pacific League all-star last year with Seibu, is currently leading the Pacific League with four wins.
But Chang also admitted that he will need some time to adapt to the professional game.
"Right now, my change-up is no problem, and maybe even better than it was during the World Cup," he said. "But my fast ball has dropped off a bit. Maybe it's because I haven't yet adjusted to a pro baseball schedule."
Chang will get a chance to repeat his national team heroics this October. Seibu has agreed that Chang may return to the Taiwan national team for the Asian Games, which is the qualifying tournament for next year's World Cup in Cuba.
His arrival in Japan added some good news to a Taiwan contingent that has not enjoyed a promising start to this years season in Japan.
The only bright spot so far has been Hsu, with his 1-1 (4.24 ERA) record showing glimpses of his stellar 11-6 (3.47) season last year.
Former President Lion star Tsao Chun-yang (曹竣揚) appears unlikely to even make it on the Chunichi Dragon roster this season.
He is stuck on the Dragon farm team with only one inning of work this season, following a 0-2 (4.64) season last year on the farm team.
Likely in his final year in Japan is infielder Chen Ta-feng (
Also known by his Japanese name of Taiho Yasuaki, Chen has yet to get a base hit in six games this season with the Dragons.
Besides Chang, the other Taiwanese rookie this year in Japan is pitcher Yu Wen-ping (
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