U18 National Team Player Hsu Shu-Cheng Aims for First Round in CPBL Draft, Plans Domestic Career Before Overseas Challenge

(CNA reporter Hsieh Ching-wen, New Taipei, June 17) Hsu Shu-Cheng, a shortstop from Kinmen, represented Taiwan at the U18 Baseball World Cup last year. After prolonged deliberation, he has officially decided to enter the CPBL draft, with a strong chance of being selected in the first round. Hsu stated that he wants to help alleviate his family's financial burden and cited Lin An-ko's career path as a model—starting in the CPBL before aiming for an overseas challenge.

Hsu, a native of Kinmen, played baseball locally throughout elementary and middle school. He moved to Kaohsiung's Kao-Yuan Industrial & Commercial High School for high school, where he further developed his skills. Last year, he was selected for Taiwan's U18 World Cup team, becoming the first Kinmen-born player to represent the nation at the youth level in 32 years, drawing significant attention.

Standing 186 cm tall with an athletic build, Hsu possesses power and mid-to-long range hitting ability. His main challenges lie in experience accumulation and consistency. Former U18 national team manager Liao Hung-yuan praised Hsu highly, noting his excellent coordination, smooth defensive and throwing motions, and strong explosive power.

While attending the Jade Mountain Cup to support Kaohsiung's team, Hsu spoke with CNA reporters, admitting he hesitated until the last moment about entering the CPBL draft. He had considered attending university first to refine his skills before pursuing an overseas opportunity. Ultimately, his desire to ease his family's financial pressure, combined with Lin An-ko's successful example of entering the CPBL first and later aiming abroad, solidified his decision.

Hsu experienced significant performance fluctuations during his senior year. He admitted that his eagerness to perform well backfired, especially during crucial high school tournaments like the Wood Bat League, where he underperformed. His U18 teammate, Chang Yi-An, has since checked in on him and encouraged him to play more freely.

After a post-U18 slump, Hsu's form began to recover in April during the U18 Eastern League. He regained confidence through strong performances in the Wang Chien-ming Cup. Another U18 teammate and fellow Kaohsiung-based player, Chang Yu-Hao, had faced a similar crossroads between going overseas or entering the draft and shared his insights with Hsu.

Primarily a shortstop, Hsu can also play third base. He expressed a preference for shortstop, explaining that third base requires quicker reactions to harder-hit balls, while shortstop demands greater range and lateral movement.

Hsu noted that the last professional player from Kinmen was Weng Feng-Yu, and he hopes to become the second. As he transitions from national youth team member to draft prospect, Hsu feels a sense of mission representing his hometown of Kinmen. (Edited by Li Heng-shan) 1150617

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