Something Wrong With Chang Min-Hsun
One of the Lamigo Monkeys’ most highly touted prospect 張閔勛 (Chang Min-Hsun) appears to have a bad case of yips? During last week’s farm league game, fans noticed Chang was not able to return the ball to the pitcher accurately on numerous occasions.
What Is a Yips?
So, what is a yips? No, it is not those adorable aliens from Sesame Street. In baseball, the yips usually manifests itself as a sudden inability to throw the baseball accurately. An example would be Rube Baker from the movie “Major League 2”, who was having difficulty to return the ball to the pitcher.
Possible Injury?
Not a lot of opportunities for Chang Min-Hsun in the first team roster since his signing in 2016. As the Monkeys is currently stacked in the catchers’ department, altering between Lin Hung-Yu, Huang Hao-Jan and Liu Shih-Hao.
The original plan was not to rush Chang, as the team would like to spend the time to develop him in the farm team first. However, due to a string of accidents in the first team, where Monkeys suddenly lost Lin and Liu to injuries. The management decided to call up Chang.
Chang made his 2017 first team starting debut on the May 6, but he immediately went on the disabled list after being hit by a pitch on his finger in his first plate appearance.
It is still unclear whether Chang’s yips condition is injury related or just purely a mental thing.
#Lamigo 2016 #1 draftpick 張閔勛 (Chang Min-Hsun) exits the game after hit by pitch on finger. Chang made his 2017 debut today.. #CPBL pic.twitter.com/4w91ilLrjT
— CPBL STATS (@GOCPBL) May 6, 2017
More about Chang Min-Hsun (張閔勛)
The 22-year-old Chang Min-Hsun was the Monkeys’ 2016 first round draft pick. Prior turning professional, Chang was a highly praised top amateur offensive catcher who was widely considered to be the next primary catcher for the future Taiwanese National Team.
- U-21 – Taiwan National Team
- Universiade Taiwan National Team
- Taiwanese National Developmental Squad
- U-23 – Taiwan National Team (Withdrawal after turning pro)