Hsu Jo-hsi's Command of Breaking Balls Improves; Yeh Chun-chang Understands SoftBank's Pitching Schedule

(CNA reporter Hsieh Ching-wen, New Taipei, 14th) Hsu Jo-hsi, who joined the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks in Japan, has earned praise from his former Wei Chuan Dragons head coach, Yeh Chun-chang, for his improved overall command of breaking balls, especially a more masterful curveball. Yeh also stated he understands SoftBank's game scheduling, which aims to ensure Hsu is in peak condition for every appearance. Hsu won his first start in the NPB on the 1st and delivered a quality start in his second outing on the 8th with 7 innings and 1 earned run, though he received the loss. He is scheduled to start again on the 17th against the Orix Buffaloes. His former coach, Yeh Chun-chang, has been following his progress and believes Hsu's breaking balls are sharper this season compared to last year. Last year, he struggled to command his curveball consistently, but that has changed this year, with his overall control of breaking pitches showing improvement. Yeh mentioned that over a full season, there will naturally be times when things don't go as planned. While Hsu's first NPB start was excellent, Yeh felt his condition in the second game wasn't as good. He noted that this kind of inconsistency can create significant pressure for a player abroad, and SoftBank's choice to give Hsu a few extra days of rest before his next start is a very good arrangement. Yeh also believes the club is certainly referencing Hsu's past pitching frequency and condition. The team's priority is for Hsu to pitch in his best state, not just to pitch as much as possible. The modern baseball philosophy is different, and the key consideration for the club is how to keep Hsu's body healthy and complete, allowing him to perform at his highest quality. (Editor: Li Heng-shan) 1150414