57 Players Pass CPBL Rookie Tryout; Wang Yu-Fei and Japanese Pitcher Kotaki Kouji Aim for Draft

(Central News Agency reporter Su Chih-Yu, Taipei, June 16) The 2026 Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) rookie player tryout has concluded. The league announced today that 57 players have received team recommendations, including Wang Yu-Fei, a former survivor of the Puyuma express train accident, and Japanese pitcher Kotaki Kouji.

The CPBL held its rookie player tryout on June 15 at Xinzhuang Baseball Stadium. After comprehensive evaluations by all teams, a total of 57 players earned recommendation status: 24 pitchers, 5 catchers, 15 infielders, and 13 outfielders.

Among the outfielders listed by the league is Wang Yu-Fei, who has overcome injuries to return to the field. This year marks his first attempt at the professional draft, and he has successfully secured eligibility. Currently studying at Chung Hsin University of Science and Technology, Wang admitted he didn’t feel ready during the past two years but decided to give himself a chance this year, driven by his long-held dream of playing professional baseball.

Kotaki Kouji, a Japanese pitcher now in his 10th year developing his career in Taiwan, previously participated in the draft without being selected. This year, he has once again earned draft eligibility through the tryout. Inspired by fellow Japanese pitcher Takashio Masaki, Kotaki hopes to seize every opportunity and finally realize his lifelong dream of becoming a professional baseball player.

The full list of players who passed the 2026 CPBL rookie player tryout is as follows:

Pitchers (24): Kotaki Kouji, Wu Hsin-Chieh, Lee Sheng-Han, Lee Kuan-Che, Chou Po-Wei, Lin Cheng-En, Chiu Chao-Ching, Shih Po-Hsiang, Hu Chun-Yen, Fan Chen-Chen, Chang Cheng-En, Chang Chen-Kang, Chuang Cheng-Han, Hsu Shao-Chieh, Chen Hung-Chih, Chen Po-Han, Chen Chi-An, Huang Shih-Chi, Huang Tzu-Jui, Huang Chao-Ming, Yeh Yi-Tung, Chan Min-Shou, Liu Chien-Li, Lu Hung-Chieh.

Catchers (5): Chu Yu-Teng, Lin Cheng-En, Fan Kai-Shun, Chang Yu-Cheng, Liao Chi-Hsiu.

Infielders (15): Wang Hao-Lan, Tien Ming-Lun, Ho Yi-Ta, Wu Tsung-Yuan, Lee Li-Wei, Chou Mu-Jui, Lin Che-Chang, Lin En-Jui, Lin Hao-Chen, Hung Chih-You, Ma Shao-An, Kuo Ting-You, Yang Tzu-Chun, Yeh An, Yeh Chun-Hung.

Outfielders (13): Wang Yu-Fei, Wu Nien-Che, Lin Kai-Feng, Hu Chen-Li, Chang Chen-Kai, Chen Cheng-Yi, Chen Chia-Hsien, Chen Pei-Li, Yang Huang Po-Hsien, Liao Jui-Lun, Tai Hao-En, Yen Tzu-Chien, Su Tzu-Hsiang. (Edited by Li Hsi-Chang) 1150616

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