Chu Meng Makes First Start, Shows Defensive Skill, Coach Applauds; Senior Wang Po-jung Advises Batting
TSG Hawks rookie Chu Meng made his first start in the first team, showcasing spectacular defensive skills that earned applause from coaches. While batting remains a challenge, senior Wang Po-jung offers continuous advice, fostering expectations for his future hitting.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 2, 2026 at 20:55
- 🔍 Collected: May 2, 2026 at 21:01 (6 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 2, 2026 at 21:04 (2 min after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Hsieh Ching-wen, Taipei, 2nd) TSG Hawks' 19-year-old infielder Chu Meng made his first start in the first team today. Although his batting has yet to perform, his spectacular defensive play in the 8th inning, catching a fly ball, drew applause from the coaching staff. Chu Meng revealed that his senior, Wang Po-jung, constantly advises him on batting, and he feels everyone expects his first hit.
Chu Meng, a talented infielder, was selected by the Hawks in the second round of last year's draft. He was promoted to the first team for the first time in his career on April 28th, where he replaced a player at shortstop in the latter part of the game, getting one at-bat and striking out.
Hawks infielder Wu Nien-ting was not in today's starting lineup due to a cold, allowing Chu Meng to make his first career start in the first team, batting 8th and playing second base. In terms of batting, he hit a fly ball to right field in the bottom of the 2nd for an out, struck out in the 4th, and hit a foul ball to first base for an out in the 6th, going 0-for-3.
Chu Meng's first hit has yet to come, but he has frequently displayed spectacular defensive plays at second base. In the top of the 8th inning, he leapt to catch a powerful line drive hit by Yueh Cheng-hua, receiving cheers from fans and enthusiastic applause from the coaching staff in the dugout.
Hawks manager Hong I-chung stated that Chu Meng has excellent athletic ability, but there is still a gap in intensity between the first and minor leagues. For a player of Chu Meng's age in the first team, his batting performance is to be expected. However, his defense is commendable, and observing him, playing second base seems more comfortable than shortstop, indicating potential to take over second base in the future.
Chu Meng said he knew he would start today and felt less nervous after the third inning. Regarding the manager's comment about potentially taking over second base in the future, Chu Meng stated that an additional position means an additional opportunity. For his first game at Taipei Dome, Chu Meng commented that the visibility was not significantly different, with the only difference being an indoor stadium.
When asked to rate his first start in the first team today, Chu Meng laughed and said batting and defense should be evaluated separately, and his defense could still be better. He also revealed that regarding batting, he feels everyone is highly anticipating his first hit, and his senior, Wang Po-jung, encourages him every at-bat: "It's okay, next time will be better." (Edited by Hsieh Ya-chu) 1150502
Choose to stand with facts; every sponsorship you provide is a force for protecting press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
Text, images, and audio/video content on this website may not be reproduced, broadcast, transmitted, or utilized without authorization.
(Central News Agency reporter Hsieh Ching-wen, Taipei, 2nd) TSG Hawks' 19-year-old infielder Chu Meng made his first start in the first team today. Although his batting has yet to perform, his spectacular defensive play in the 8th inning, catching a fly ball, drew applause from the coaching staff. Chu Meng revealed that his senior, Wang Po-jung, constantly advises him on batting, and he feels everyone expects his first hit.
Chu Meng, a talented infielder, was selected by the Hawks in the second round of last year's draft. He was promoted to the first team for the first time in his career on April 28th, where he replaced a player at shortstop in the latter part of the game, getting one at-bat and striking out.
Hawks infielder Wu Nien-ting was not in today's starting lineup due to a cold, allowing Chu Meng to make his first career start in the first team, batting 8th and playing second base. In terms of batting, he hit a fly ball to right field in the bottom of the 2nd for an out, struck out in the 4th, and hit a foul ball to first base for an out in the 6th, going 0-for-3.
Chu Meng's first hit has yet to come, but he has frequently displayed spectacular defensive plays at second base. In the top of the 8th inning, he leapt to catch a powerful line drive hit by Yueh Cheng-hua, receiving cheers from fans and enthusiastic applause from the coaching staff in the dugout.
Hawks manager Hong I-chung stated that Chu Meng has excellent athletic ability, but there is still a gap in intensity between the first and minor leagues. For a player of Chu Meng's age in the first team, his batting performance is to be expected. However, his defense is commendable, and observing him, playing second base seems more comfortable than shortstop, indicating potential to take over second base in the future.
Chu Meng said he knew he would start today and felt less nervous after the third inning. Regarding the manager's comment about potentially taking over second base in the future, Chu Meng stated that an additional position means an additional opportunity. For his first game at Taipei Dome, Chu Meng commented that the visibility was not significantly different, with the only difference being an indoor stadium.
When asked to rate his first start in the first team today, Chu Meng laughed and said batting and defense should be evaluated separately, and his defense could still be better. He also revealed that regarding batting, he feels everyone is highly anticipating his first hit, and his senior, Wang Po-jung, encourages him every at-bat: "It's okay, next time will be better." (Edited by Hsieh Ya-chu) 1150502
Choose to stand with facts; every sponsorship you provide is a force for protecting press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
Text, images, and audio/video content on this website may not be reproduced, broadcast, transmitted, or utilized without authorization.