Former major leaguer Yu Chang is set to play in Taiwan in the second half of the CPBL season after being named by the Fubon Guardians as their overall first pick in the mid-season draft on Friday.
The Taitung native is expected to sign a record deal in the CPBL with monthly salary of more than NT$2 million (US$61,633), an amount that far exceeds the NT$1.2 million received by all-time home run leader Lin Chih-sheng.
In a prerecorded video played at Din Yue Restaurant in Taichung, where the draft was held, Chang expressed his gratitude to the franchise for drafting him and giving him the opportunity to play at home.
Photo: AFP
“I also want to thank my fans for always rooting for me through the ups and downs, even when I’m injured. I’ll keep grinding and look forward to winning each game with the team,” he said.
Chang, 28, started his pro career overseas after agreeing to join the Cleveland Guardians for US$500,000 and made his debut in the MLB in late June 2019 as the 16th Taiwan-born player to play in the majors.
Better known for his glove than his bat, Chang played for four teams in the majors for more than five seasons mainly as a utility player, knocking 121 hits — including 20 homers — in more than 235 games while batting .204.
Photo: CNA
He also represented Taiwan at last year’s World Baseball Classic and was named Most Valuable Player in Pool A as well as its all-star first baseman.
Chang signed a minor-league deal with the Tampa Bay Rays earlier this year before announcing his intent to come home.
The Fubon Guardians’ picking him means that Chang will get to play with his older brother Chang Jin-de, who is a catcher for the team.
Meanwhile, former Nippon Professional Baseball player Wu Nien-ting was named overall second pick by the TSG Hawks.
Wu has played in Japan since high school and joined the Saitama Seibu Lions in 2016 before returning to Taiwan after last season.
In 382 games in the majors in Japan, he batted .224, collecting 220 hits as a utility infield player.
He threw the ceremonial pregame first pitch for the Hawks’ game at the Taipei Dome on Sunday last week, a move widely seen as the franchise indicating its interest in Wu.
Fifty-one players were drafted on Friday, with the CTBC Brothers picking the most with 11.
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