At the end of the Taiwan Major League (TML) season the player with the best numbers will likely be the most valuable player and that looks like Huang Chin-chi (黃欽智) of the Taichung Agan.
His record so far is 14 wins, one loss and two saves with an Earned Run Average of 1.22 -- impressive statistics by anyone's reckoning.
In just the second season of his professional career, Huang is proving that his success last year as the ERA king, Rookie of the Year, and Championship Final's MVP was no accident.
TAIPEI TIMES FILE PHOTO
What makes this season so special for Huang is the margin of his lead in the individual statistics tables. He appears to be in a league of his own.
The 24-year-old left-handed ace grew up in Kaohsiung where baseball was the most popular sport.
His early successes at high school won him a spot on the Taiwan national team for the International Baseball Association IBA competition from 1994 to 1996 and the MVP award for the competition in 1996.
After his selection to the senior Taiwan national team from 1997 to last year, Huang was drafted by the Taichung Agan in the first round to provide much-needed pitching support.
On target to be the first 20-game winner in the history of the TML, Huang hasn't lost his modest approach toward the game.
Despite his success, Huang relentlessly tries to improve his game and is known for his diligent preparation.
He is often found in the film room studying hitters that he is scheduled to face and when he's not studying hitters, he watches tapes from previous starts to tweak his own pitching mechanics.
It is this kind of mentality that makes him his biggest critic. When asked by reporters which areas of his game need more improvement, he mentions stamina and better control.
Off the field, Huang is known for his charity work. He donates NT$20,000 for every victory he earns and has given over NT$280,000 for a local charity intended to help sick children.
His initiative has led the TML to match his contribution and the total amount pledged has reached NT$600,000 so far this season.
Huang has already achieved distinction as a baseball player but he has also shown he has the potential to do even better in the years to come.
His modest, yet demanding approach toward the game has also won him the trust and support from his teammates. It is his approach on and off the field that puts Huang in a league of his own.
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