BASEBALL / Fireballer Hsu Jo-hsi joins NPB champions SoftBank Hawks on 3-year deal

Taipei, Dec. 26 (CNA) Taiwanese pitcher Hsu Jo-hsi (徐若熙) has officially joined the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks, the 2025 Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) champions, on a three-year contract.

Hawks General Manager Sugahiko Mikasa announced the deal at a press conference in Taipei on Friday, saying it was a three-year agreement reached via the posting system, but he declined to disclose the specific financial details.

An inside source told CNA, however, that under the contract, the 25-year-old right-hander might pull in a total of up to US$15 million per year. Hsu will receive a basic pay of US$10 million, including a US$1 million signing bonus and a minimum annual salary of US$3 million, and may be eligible for an additional US$5 million in performance-based bonuses, the source said.

In addition, the Hawks will pay a US$2 million posting fee to the Wei Chuan Dragons, Hsu's former team in the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL), according to the source.

This is the second consecutive year that a Taiwanese pitcher has moved directly from the CPBL to the NPB.

Hsu, a right-handed flamethrower who drew attention for clocking 153 km/h as a high school pitcher, was selected by the Dragons as the sixth overall pick in the 2019 draft. He made a sensational professional debut in March 2021, striking out 11 batters across just 3 2/3 innings. In the 2025 season, he tossed 114 innings in 19 starts and fanned 120 batters with a 2.05 ERA, the lowest among all local players.

The fireballer declared international free agency in late October and was pursued by several teams in both the NPB and Major League Baseball (MLB). On Monday, the Dragons confirmed that Hsu had chosen to join the Fukuoka-based league.

Hsu will wear jersey No. 18, a number he said is a source of motivation as it is usually reserved for "aces" in Japanese baseball culture.

At Friday's press conference, Hsu said that during a recent visit to the Hawks' facilities, he was deeply impressed by the organization's comprehensive resources.

"No matter what type of training you require, they provide immediate and accurate support," he said.

Hawks officials said Hsu's addition to the team was a "very good Christmas gift" and they are confident that their system can help him fully realize his potential.

Hawks Chief Baseball Officer Kenji Johjima said Friday that Hsu will be given ample time to adjust to his new environment during his first season and will not be rushed into heavy usage.

Hsu, who has been plagued by injuries throughout his career, said however that he will try his best "to vie for a spot in the starting rotation as soon as possible."