
Taipei, Jan. 22 (CNA) The San Francisco Giants signed 18-year-old Taiwanese pitcher Yang Nien-hsi (陽念希) to a contract on Wednesday worth a total of US$500,000 (NT$16.39 million).
At a press event in Taipei on Wednesday, the Giants' Pacific Rim Area scout Evan Hsueh (薛奕煌) presented Yang with a Giants jersey to celebrate the signing.
The deal consisted of a contract worth US$450,000 plus a US$50,000 scholarship bonus.
Yang, who stands at 188 centimeters tall and weighs 85 kilograms, is of Indigenous Amis descent.
With his fastest pitch clocking in at 150 kilometers per hour, Yang had been on Hsueh's radar since playing in the HuaNan Cup Junior Baseball Championship Games when he was in ninth grade.
Hsueh said the young athlete's imposing physique, coordination, and baseball prowess left a lasting impression, which was why Hsueh had always kept an eye out for Yang throughout the latter's high school and college baseball careers.
Specifically, Hsueh acknowledged Yang's performance at the 2022 U-18 Baseball World Cup as a key moment when the young Taiwanese athlete impressed the management of the Giants' organization.
He further credited Yang on his continued improvement as another reason why the San Francisco team decided to recruit the young Taiwanese.
While it wasn't announced to which of the Giants' minor league affiliates Yang will be assigned when he goes to the United States, Huseh said the team intends to get the Taiwanese athlete accustomed to the culture and rhythm of training in the U.S. and aims to nurture him into a starting pitcher.
On joining the Giants, Yang said he plans to progress through the minors and make it into the majors within five years.
He also said he was surprised to have been recruited as a pitcher since he had always thought that he performed better as a batter.
Yang also said since he hasn't given up on hitting, he might "swing for them to see" for a chance at the box.
The 18-year-old's signing came after two other young Taiwanese baseball stars who also competed in the 2023 U-18 World Cup.
In June last year, left-handed pitcher Lin Wei-en (林維恩) was signed by the Oakland Athletics for US$1.35 million while Taiwanese outfielder Ko Ching-hsien (柯敬賢) received a US$750,000 contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Yang revealed at the presser that as a member of Taiwan's team at the 2023 U-18 World Cup, he had shared a room with Lin and Ko.
Yang said before his Giants' contract, Lin had encouraged him to join him at the A's.
Yang added that Lin also called to congratulate him after his recruitment by the Giants was confirmed.
- Taiwanese pitcher Gu Lin throws complete game shutout for 2nd NPB winTaiwanese pitcher Gu Lin Ruei-yang (古林睿煬) earned his second win in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) on Sunday, leading the Nippon Ham Fighters to a 4-0 victory over the Rakuten Eagles with his first complete game shutout in the Japanese league.05/11/2025 07:49 PM
- Taiwan's Gu Lin secures first win in Japan NPBGu Lin Ruei-yang (古林睿煬), the 2024 MVP of Taiwan's Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL), showed over 38,000 spectators in Fukuoka on Thursday why he was worth the high expectations fans in both Japan and Taiwan had for him.05/02/2025 04:57 PM
- Former MLB player Wang Chien-ming guest coaches Palau national teamCTBC Brothers pitching coach Wang Chien-ming (王建民) served as a guest pitching coach for a day Monday to help Palau's national baseball team get ready for an upcoming regional multi-sport event that includes baseball.04/28/2025 06:48 PM
- Society
Jane Goodall visits Taiwan, praises Delta's coral restoration efforts
06/06/2025 05:01 PM - Business
Taiwan shares end down ahead of U.S. job data
06/06/2025 04:51 PM - Science & Tech
Amazon expands Asia-Pacific web services with Taiwan
06/06/2025 04:47 PM - Business
U.S. dollar closes higher on Taipei forex market
06/06/2025 04:25 PM - Society
Spanish tourist jumps from moving car as driver flees airport police
06/06/2025 03:24 PM