CPBL Foreign Players Updates Volume #80
Fubon Guardians News: Ryan Bollinger
Despite already having three solid foreign starting pitchers, the Fubon Guardians have announced the team has invited left-handed pitcher Ryan Bollinger for a tryout.
“We have been observing Ryan Bollinger for a few years now,” said the Guardians’ representative. “After parting ways with the Padres system, he is looking for a team to train with, so we decided to bring him over for tryout.”
富邦はライアン・ボリンジャー(28 LHP)を獲得。14〜16年は米独立でプレー、17年はドイツリーグでプレーし、10勝1敗 ERA0.76をマーク。昨季はヤンキースとマイナー契約、2A-3Aで計20試合8勝6敗 111.2IP ERA3.87。登録名は「包林傑」で、4人目の外国人として二軍でテストを受ける方針。 pic.twitter.com/J3o3owvy94
— 台湾プロ野球ニュース（中華職棒新聞） (@cpbl_news) April 23, 2019
28-year-old Bollinger spent most of the 2018 season in the Double-A within the New York Yankees’ system. In 17 starts, he posted a 4.00 ERA and 1.22 WHIP across 96.2 innings.
The Yankees did promote Bollinger to Triple-A where he started three games with a respectful 3.00 ERA and 1.13 WHIP over 15 innings. It is worth noting that Bollinger also had two very short stays in the MLB on two occasions. Unfortunately, he did not make any appearances and was optioned to the minor league the following day.
During the 2018 offseason, Ryan Bollinger returned to the Australian Baseball League and wound up tossing 34.1 innings with a 3.67 ERA and 1.19 WHIP for the Brisbane Bandits.
With the Guardians already filled their first team foreign players quota, should the Guardians end up signing Ryan Bollinger, he is likely to stay in the CPBL minor league until further notice.
Why Bollinger? Potential Scenarios for Guardians
The Fubon Guardians’ general manager told the media back in January that unless there’s a need for a new foreign player, the Guardians have no plan to sign a fourth backup. So, why start looking for backup in late April? Here are a couple theory on this.
- Overseas organisations are interested in Henry Sosa and plan to buyout his contract with the Guardians.
- Mike Loree, Bryan Woodall and Henry Sosa are hurt? However, judging by their recent performance, we can rule that out. All three of them seems healthy and able to perform.
- It was a favour to this large Taiwanese sports agency PCGBROS. The Guardians are just providing a place for one of their clients to train after parting ways with the Padres.
Chinatrust Brothers’ News: New Pitcher Coming
It would appear the Chinatrust Brothers might have signed another foreign player, as the team have lodged the unnamed player’s work permit application to the Ministry of Labor. There is also a possibility that it could be a foreign coach rather than a foreign player.
Based on the previous information given by the team, it is highly likely the new foreign player is going to be a pitcher. The Brothers currently have Mitch Lively (RHP), Nick Additon (LHP) and Alex Liddi (IF) in the first team.
Rumour #CTBros have signed another foreign player, as the team have lodged this unnamed player's work permit application to the Ministry of Labor. The Brothers currently have Mitch Lively, Nick Additon and Alex Liddi in the 1st team. #CPBL pic.twitter.com/GUlx2lsQUS
— CPBL STATS (@GOCPBL) April 23, 2019
Further Readings
Foreign players come and goes, therefore we compiled a foreign players tracker to keep track of all the foreign players signing for the 2019 CPBL season.