Saying Goodbye to the Minor Leagues, Wang Yen-cheng Steps onto the KBO Stage as the "Prince of Taiwan"
Taiwanese left-handed pitcher Wang Yen-cheng, after struggling for over 6 years in Japan's minor leagues, transferred to the Hanwha Eagles in the KBO. He secured his first career win in his debut and has become highly popular among Korean fans, earning the nickname 'Prince of Taiwan'.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 15, 2026 at 00:26
- 🔍 Collected: April 15, 2026 at 00:31 (5 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 19, 2026 at 14:22 (109h 50m after Collected)
Central News
(Central News Agency, Daejeon, 14th) "Prince of Taiwan" Wang Yen-cheng of the KBO's Hanwha Eagles struggled in the NPB minor leagues for over 6 years, never receiving a regular roster contract. This season, he resolutely moved to the unknown stage of the KBO. Wang introduced himself with a great performance right at the start of the season. After years of professional baseball baptism, he feels his biggest transformation is being "more brave."
Taiwanese left-handed pitcher Wang Yen-cheng, 25, joined the NPB's Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles as a developmental player in 2019. However, after years of struggling without receiving a formal roster contract, he transferred to the KBO's Hanwha Eagles this season as an "Asian foreign player," becoming the second Taiwanese player in the KBO since Wang Wei-chung in 2018.
Wang squeezed into the Hanwha Eagles' starting rotation right at the start of the season and made his debut on March 29 against the Kiwoom Heroes, pitching 5.1 innings and allowing 3 runs, ultimately securing his first career top-tier win. After the game, Wang burst into tears while hugging his grandmother, sparking discussions and moving Korean fans.
● Recalling Struggles in NPB Minor Leagues, Wang Once Lost Direction
Recalling the day he won his first game, Wang told the Central News Agency in an exclusive interview today: "My first win in life, and important people were there. I felt very happy and truly touched."
Wang said he has always been supported by his family on his baseball journey, "I am really thankful to them."
Speaking of his days fighting in the minor leagues as a developmental player, Wang admitted it was a very long time, "6 or 7 years, which could be half of a player's career."
Wang recalled his lowest point was around 2023 and 2024. Besides injury troubles, he said, "Rather than a slump, it was more like losing direction."
However, after senior Taiwanese player Sung Chia-hao of Rakuten took him to Seattle for independent training, Wang found his direction. Although those two years were indeed hard, Wang said, "But at that time, I truly felt that people around me were earnestly absorbing things, thinking every day about how to get better and stronger. I felt it was a great time."
● Working Hard in a Foreign Land for Years, Wang Realizes the Importance of Bravely Integrating
Through years of professional baseball, Wang noted: "I now know what my body and mindset need."
He expressed that his biggest transformation is "becoming brave enough to speak up." Initially in Japan, he was afraid of strangers and dared not speak to senior players, "But I realized that when you're out there, you can't be shy. You must dare to interact with teammates, speak up, and ask seniors questions. I think I'm doing that now."
Although still learning Korean, Wang said he sometimes tries conversing with teammates without a translator. "When they try to find a translator, I say 'No!' If I can't speak it, body language works too. I think this is one of the fast ways to learn a language."
With nearly 7 years of experience working abroad, Wang pointed out that the hardest part initially is always integrating into the local culture. Therefore, arriving in Korea, he is more willing to speak and interact. "I think integrating with teammates and the team is a very good thing."
● Capturing Korean Fans' Hearts with Every Move, Slowly Enjoying Life in Korea
Besides integrating with teammates, Wang is currently very popular among Korean fans, known as "Son-in-law Wang" and "Prince of Taiwan." Whether it's his smile on the field or thoughtful gestures like cleaning the dugout off the field, he has captured many fans' hearts. Every daily life video of Wang posted by the Hanwha Eagles' official channel attracts numerous fan comments.
In a video released yesterday, staff shared that Korea has a snack similar to I-Mei Puff called Homerun Ball, so many pitchers avoid eating it. But in the interview, Wang clarified with a laugh: "I only give them to our Eagles TV staff!"
Although the reality of his popularity hasn't quite sunk in, Wang said he is starting to slowly enjoy the pace of life in Korea, taking walks in the park and viewing cherry blossoms during his rest time, joking that he's almost done cleaning his room.
Regarding his goal for this season, Wang said: "My biggest hope is to healthily finish the whole season, do what I should do every day, and then enjoy it." (Editor: Chen Yen-chun) 1150414
Choosing to stand with the facts, every bit of your sponsorship is the power to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency "First Hand News" APP to grasp the latest news instantly.
The text, images, and audio/video on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and utilized without authorization.
(Central News Agency, Daejeon, 14th) "Prince of Taiwan" Wang Yen-cheng of the KBO's Hanwha Eagles struggled in the NPB minor leagues for over 6 years, never receiving a regular roster contract. This season, he resolutely moved to the unknown stage of the KBO. Wang introduced himself with a great performance right at the start of the season. After years of professional baseball baptism, he feels his biggest transformation is being "more brave."
Taiwanese left-handed pitcher Wang Yen-cheng, 25, joined the NPB's Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles as a developmental player in 2019. However, after years of struggling without receiving a formal roster contract, he transferred to the KBO's Hanwha Eagles this season as an "Asian foreign player," becoming the second Taiwanese player in the KBO since Wang Wei-chung in 2018.
Wang squeezed into the Hanwha Eagles' starting rotation right at the start of the season and made his debut on March 29 against the Kiwoom Heroes, pitching 5.1 innings and allowing 3 runs, ultimately securing his first career top-tier win. After the game, Wang burst into tears while hugging his grandmother, sparking discussions and moving Korean fans.
● Recalling Struggles in NPB Minor Leagues, Wang Once Lost Direction
Recalling the day he won his first game, Wang told the Central News Agency in an exclusive interview today: "My first win in life, and important people were there. I felt very happy and truly touched."
Wang said he has always been supported by his family on his baseball journey, "I am really thankful to them."
Speaking of his days fighting in the minor leagues as a developmental player, Wang admitted it was a very long time, "6 or 7 years, which could be half of a player's career."
Wang recalled his lowest point was around 2023 and 2024. Besides injury troubles, he said, "Rather than a slump, it was more like losing direction."
However, after senior Taiwanese player Sung Chia-hao of Rakuten took him to Seattle for independent training, Wang found his direction. Although those two years were indeed hard, Wang said, "But at that time, I truly felt that people around me were earnestly absorbing things, thinking every day about how to get better and stronger. I felt it was a great time."
● Working Hard in a Foreign Land for Years, Wang Realizes the Importance of Bravely Integrating
Through years of professional baseball, Wang noted: "I now know what my body and mindset need."
He expressed that his biggest transformation is "becoming brave enough to speak up." Initially in Japan, he was afraid of strangers and dared not speak to senior players, "But I realized that when you're out there, you can't be shy. You must dare to interact with teammates, speak up, and ask seniors questions. I think I'm doing that now."
Although still learning Korean, Wang said he sometimes tries conversing with teammates without a translator. "When they try to find a translator, I say 'No!' If I can't speak it, body language works too. I think this is one of the fast ways to learn a language."
With nearly 7 years of experience working abroad, Wang pointed out that the hardest part initially is always integrating into the local culture. Therefore, arriving in Korea, he is more willing to speak and interact. "I think integrating with teammates and the team is a very good thing."
● Capturing Korean Fans' Hearts with Every Move, Slowly Enjoying Life in Korea
Besides integrating with teammates, Wang is currently very popular among Korean fans, known as "Son-in-law Wang" and "Prince of Taiwan." Whether it's his smile on the field or thoughtful gestures like cleaning the dugout off the field, he has captured many fans' hearts. Every daily life video of Wang posted by the Hanwha Eagles' official channel attracts numerous fan comments.
In a video released yesterday, staff shared that Korea has a snack similar to I-Mei Puff called Homerun Ball, so many pitchers avoid eating it. But in the interview, Wang clarified with a laugh: "I only give them to our Eagles TV staff!"
Although the reality of his popularity hasn't quite sunk in, Wang said he is starting to slowly enjoy the pace of life in Korea, taking walks in the park and viewing cherry blossoms during his rest time, joking that he's almost done cleaning his room.
Regarding his goal for this season, Wang said: "My biggest hope is to healthily finish the whole season, do what I should do every day, and then enjoy it." (Editor: Chen Yen-chun) 1150414
Choosing to stand with the facts, every bit of your sponsorship is the power to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency "First Hand News" APP to grasp the latest news instantly.
The text, images, and audio/video on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and utilized without authorization.