CPBL Foreign Players Updates Volume #296
CTBC Brothers News: Kyle McGowin
On August 29, the CTBC Brothers announced the signing of 31-year-old American right-hander Kyle McGowin. According to the team, they decided to sign another new foreign player so close to the August 31 trade deadline because Tyler Viza has been sidelined due to minor arm inflammation caused by bone spurs.
“Our scouting team has been monitoring Kyle McGowin for a while now, and he is set to arrive in Taiwan on August 30. He has pretty good command and throws a decent slider,” said the Brothers’ manager. “As for Tyler Viza, his injury is not very serious, but as a precaution, the team will rest him for a few days.”
If you're having a BBQ this weekend:
1. Wear a mask đˇ
2. Count on Kyle McGowin to bring the sliders đđđđ@KyleMcGowin // #NATITUDE pic.twitter.com/piQSdmCl6M— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) September 6, 2020
Kyle McGowin began his professional career in 2013 with the Los Angeles Angels system. Over the year, he eventually made it to the top with the Washington Nationals and was active in MLB from 2018 to 2021 with a career record of 5.98 ERA and 1.33 WHIP over 64.2 innings. In September 2021, Kyle McGowin landed on the Nationals injured list after being diagnosed with a UCL sprain in his elbow. At the end of the year, he elected free agency and left the MLB system.
2023 Season: Triple-A, American Association, CPBL
After taking some time off, in April 2023, Kyle McGowin signed with the Staten Island FerryHawks of the Atlantic League and quickly found his way back to the MLB system by signing a minor league deal with the Houston Astros. In over 16 games, he compiled a 7.36 ERA and 1.46 WHIP over 62.1 innings in Triple-A. He was released by the Astros in August.
Merely a week later, Kyle McGowin joined the Lake Country DockHounds of the American Association. He only pitched one game, where he gave up two earned runs and struck out seven over six innings. A few days after his debut in the American Association, his contract was purchased by the CTBC Brothers.
As of today, the CTBC Brothers currently have JosĂŠ De Paula, Tyler Viza, Emilio Vargas, Eric Stout and Kyle McGowin as their foreign players. The team will need to cut the number of foreign players down to four before the August 31 Trade Deadline.
Kyle McGowinâs 10th inning yesterday:
Strikeout swinging on a slider
Strikeout swinging on a slider
Strikeout swinging on a sliderRT this post to enter for a chance to win future Season Tickets or signed Nationals merchandise. #Sweepstakes @CutwaterSpirits pic.twitter.com/rpVzT9kbz8
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) September 17, 2020
Kyle McGowin Stays or Leaves: All Depends on Work Permit
As the August 31 trade deadline approaches, there’s a possibility that Tyler Viza might be the one staying, even though he’s on the injured list, while Kyle McGowin ends up not making the final cut. According to CPBL regulations, teams can only add foreign players to their active rosters once they receive work permits from Taiwan’s Ministry of Labour.
“Both Kyle McGowin’s work permit and Tyler Viza’s condition are out of our control, at this stage, anything is possible, and nothing is set in stone,” the Brothers manager told Liberty Sports.
Further Readings
Foreign players comes and goes, therefore we compiled a foreign players tracker to keep track of all the foreign players signing for the 2023 CPBL season.