CPBL Rookie Tryout Attracts All 6 Team Managers; Recommended Player List to Be Announced on 16th

The Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) rookie tryout took place today, with all six team managers in attendance. A total of 81 players registered for evaluation, including 36 pitchers, 7 catchers, 21 infielders, and 17 outfielders.

The tryout was held at Xinzhuang Baseball Stadium and divided into morning and afternoon sessions, with two teams competing in each session. Games followed a full 10-inning format, with pitchers limited to a maximum of 20 pitches each, and position players required to complete five innings of batting and fielding evaluations.

All six CPBL team managers attended. Wei-Chuan Dragons manager Yeh Chun-chang was present with coaching staff members Lin Chih-sheng and Chang Chien-ming. Fubon Guardians manager Koji Gotō and deputy general manager Lin Wei-chen also attended. TSG Hawks manager Hung I-chung brought the team’s scouting department.

Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions manager Lin Yueh-ping attended with coaches Kao Chih-kang, Hu Chin-lung, Pan Wei-lun, Lo Chin-lung, and Pan Wu-hsiung. Rakuten Monkeys manager Tseng Hao-chi, CTBC Brothers manager Hirano Keiichi, general manager Peng Cheng-min, and coach Wang Chien-ming were also present.

Li Hao-sheng, older brother of minor league player Li Hao-yu, made his third attempt at the tryout. After not being drafted in the past two years, he reached a top velocity of approximately 147 km/h in the spring league and decided to challenge again, hoping to gain team attention through overall performance.

Japanese pitcher Otake Koiji, in Taiwan for the 10th year, participated in his third CPBL tryout. He regularly follows the performances of fellow Japanese players Takasugi Shoju and Suzuki Shunsuke. Having played with Takasugi previously, he was deeply impressed by his adjustment methods and mound presence.

Wang Yu-fei, who overcame injuries following the Puyuma train accident, made his first attempt at qualifying for the professional draft. Currently studying at CTBC University of Technology, he felt unprepared in the past two years but decided to give himself a chance this year. Though he rated his tryout performance below expectations, he expressed great joy simply being back on the field.

All six teams will submit their recommended player lists after the tryout. The list of recommended players is expected to be announced tomorrow. The CPBL rookie player selection meeting will be held on the 29th.