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11/21/2024 09:57:10 pm

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2016 Spring Training: 3 Taiwanese Pitchers Looking to Make MLB Rosters

Chien-Ming Wang

(Photo : Getty Images) Chien-Ming Wang is in spring training with the Kansas City Royals

Spring training 2016 sees three pitchers from Taiwan competing for roster spots. Wei-Yin Chen is hoping for a place in the Miami Marlin's starting rotation, while Chien-Ming Wang is fighting for a spot on the Kansas City Royals' pitching staff and Wei-Chung Wang is taking his chances for a place in the Milwaukee Brewers team.

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Chen is projected to be the Marlin's No. 2 starter after signing a 5-year, $80 million deal in the off-season. The 30-year-old lefty played for the Baltimore Orioles last year, going 11 and 8 with a 3.34 ERA in 191 innings.

On his move to a new team, Chen said, "I like Miami very much, and I see this team as being very competitive. We have a lot of young players."

The Kaohsiung native has started one game this spring, throwing two scoreless innings.

Chien-Ming Wang is hoping to find a home with the reigning World Series-champion Kansas City Royals. Wang has bounced around the minor leagues for the last few years. He has not pitched in the big leagues since 2013, when he started 6 games for the Toronto Blue Jays.

Wang, a right-handed pitcher from Tainan won 19 games in back-to-back years with the Yankees before a foot injury in 2008 derailed his career.

The Royals signed the 35-year-old veteran to a minor league contract in January, and so far he has performed well, posting a 1.17 WHIP and a 1.50 ERA in 6 innings.

Another Taiwanese southpaw Wei-Chung Wang is in camp with the Milwaukee Brewers. The 23-year-old debuted for the Brewers in 2014 and struggled through his 14-game stint.

Wei-Chung Wang, from Taitung, spent last year as a starter in the Brewer's farm system, showing improvement with a 3.40 ERA in 26 starts.

This spring he has only pitched 1/3 of an inning, giving up no hits or walks.  

With opening day less than a month away, Taiwanese baseball fans will be focused on spring training and the three pitchers from The Beautiful Island.



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