Liao Jen-lei's Pitching Speed Increases After US Training, Nearly Switched to NBA
Fubon Guardians pitcher Liao Jen-lei's fastest pitch this season reached 154 km/h, which he attributes to efficient power generation after training in the US. He previously hit 155 km/h in the CPBL four years ago but had been limited to 151 km/h in recent years. The 201 cm tall pitcher also revealed an anecdote from his junior high days when an NBA coach in the US tried to recruit him for basketball, but his mother's words kept him in baseball.
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- 📰 Published: April 15, 2026 at 19:42
- 🔍 Collected: April 15, 2026 at 20:01 (19 min after Published)
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Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Su Chih-she, New Taipei City, 15th) Fubon Guardians pitcher Liao Jen-lei's fastest pitch this season has reached 154 km/h. He attributes this to pre-season training in the United States, which made his power generation more efficient. In addition, the 201 cm tall pitcher also revealed an interesting story from his junior high days when he almost switched to professional basketball after being "recruited" by an NBA coach in the United States.
Liao Jen-lei's fastest pitch in the Chinese Professional Baseball League was 155 km/h, which was four years ago. In the past two years, his fastest pitch was only 151 km/h. However, on April 6th this year, he threw 154 km/h at Xinzhuang Baseball Stadium, regaining his past fastball. During the off-season, he and teammate Huang Pao-lo went to a private training facility in Atlanta, USA, to practice controlling their pitching.
"I don't have to deliberately think about how to throw," Liao Jen-lei said in an interview with the Central News Agency today. "I can generate power more efficiently to throw the ball." During his training in the United States, he was able to adjust individual technical details. "Basic things, such as power generation and center of gravity movement, are different for everyone, but the goal is the same."
However, regarding the increase in pitching speed this year, Liao Jen-lei stated that there are still discrepancies in speed measurements at various CPBL stadiums. According to the team's internal Trackman data, his fastest pitch is not significantly different from the previous two years, but his average speed has indeed increased.
When Liao Jen-lei was in junior high, he went to the United States to do weight training. He happened to meet a coach from the Houston Rockets' development league, who, seeing Liao Jen-lei's tall stature, asked him: "Do you want to switch to basketball?" and said he could be drafted in three years. Later, his mother said, "You can't even play the small ball (baseball) well, and you want to play the big ball (basketball)?" Liao Jen-lei thought about it and decided to continue his career in baseball. (Editor: Li Heng-shan) 1150415
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(Central News Agency reporter Su Chih-she, New Taipei City, 15th) Fubon Guardians pitcher Liao Jen-lei's fastest pitch this season has reached 154 km/h. He attributes this to pre-season training in the United States, which made his power generation more efficient. In addition, the 201 cm tall pitcher also revealed an interesting story from his junior high days when he almost switched to professional basketball after being "recruited" by an NBA coach in the United States.
Liao Jen-lei's fastest pitch in the Chinese Professional Baseball League was 155 km/h, which was four years ago. In the past two years, his fastest pitch was only 151 km/h. However, on April 6th this year, he threw 154 km/h at Xinzhuang Baseball Stadium, regaining his past fastball. During the off-season, he and teammate Huang Pao-lo went to a private training facility in Atlanta, USA, to practice controlling their pitching.
"I don't have to deliberately think about how to throw," Liao Jen-lei said in an interview with the Central News Agency today. "I can generate power more efficiently to throw the ball." During his training in the United States, he was able to adjust individual technical details. "Basic things, such as power generation and center of gravity movement, are different for everyone, but the goal is the same."
However, regarding the increase in pitching speed this year, Liao Jen-lei stated that there are still discrepancies in speed measurements at various CPBL stadiums. According to the team's internal Trackman data, his fastest pitch is not significantly different from the previous two years, but his average speed has indeed increased.
When Liao Jen-lei was in junior high, he went to the United States to do weight training. He happened to meet a coach from the Houston Rockets' development league, who, seeing Liao Jen-lei's tall stature, asked him: "Do you want to switch to basketball?" and said he could be drafted in three years. Later, his mother said, "You can't even play the small ball (baseball) well, and you want to play the big ball (basketball)?" Liao Jen-lei thought about it and decided to continue his career in baseball. (Editor: Li Heng-shan) 1150415
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship you make is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.
FAQ
What contributed to pitcher Liao Jen-lei's increased pitching speed this season?
He stated that pre-season training in the United States led to more efficient power generation, contributing to his increased pitching speed.
Why was pitcher Liao Jen-lei once considered for a basketball career?
During his junior high weight training in the US, a Houston Rockets development league coach noticed his height and invited him to switch to basketball.