Phillies Signed Power Hitter Lee Hao-Yu
On June 15, the Philadelphia Phillies announced the signing of 18-year-old power-hitting infielder 李灝宇 (Lee Hao-Yu) as an international free agent. According to sources, Lee Hao-Yu’s signing bonus is said to be around $600,000 to 650,000 USD.
Done deal! 18-year-old 李灝宇 (Lee Hao-Yu) became the 4th Taiwanese player signed by the Philadelphia Phillies. #MLBTW #RingTheBell pic.twitter.com/fY3EbQw9CA
— CPBL STATS ♥️ #95 (@GOCPBL) June 16, 2021
Plus Power, Best Taiwanese High School Hitter?
Lee Hao-Yu, who is not a stranger to international tournaments, has represented Taiwan in the WBSC U-12, U-15 and U-18 Baseball World Cup since 2015.
“We have been watching Lee Hao-Yu since 2016,” said the Phillies scout Wang Jin-Yong. “When facing pitchers from a higher level, Lee was able to adjust and find ways to deal with them.”
Lee Hao-Yu used to play shortstop and second base, but he suffered a lower back injury in his second year of high school, which sidelined him for almost six months. After he recovered, the team shifted him to third base to lighten his workload in his final year.
Despite missing half a year due to injury, Lee Hao-Yu came back stronger than ever. Best known for his plus power, he blasted his way into the media spotlight earlier this year by setting a new Taiwanese high school home run record with six home runs in ten games using a wooden bat.
Philadelphia Phillies have officially announced the signing of Taiwanese high school infielder 李灝宇 (Lee Hao-Yu). #MLBTW #RingTheBell pic.twitter.com/64UeldaUDd https://t.co/GA7CkDEqnD
— CPBL STATS ♥️ #95 (@GOCPBL) June 15, 2021
[U-18 Baseball World Cup] According to Team Taiwan's manager, 16-year-old cleanup hitter 李灝宇 (Lee Hao-Yu) is likely to miss the rest of the tournament due to swollen wrist on a hit-by-pitch.?#TWHSBaseball pic.twitter.com/zb4qbuPNkM
— CPBL STATS ♥️ #95 (@GOCPBL) September 6, 2019
I am actively following Wang Po-Jung’s breakout NPB season, such as it is. If he stays healthy and finishes 2021 at roughly current .242/..326/.458, I could see an NPB team offering him $500,000 for 2022. NPB is a pitcher’s league. If not the Fighters, then the Marines, Buffaloes or Lions.
I could see Monkeys bringing him back at four years and $2 million. If Wang thinks at end of 2021 he’s figured NPB pitchers out, he could stay in Japan for a lot less guaranteed money for potential bigger money later.
Me personally, I hope Wang Po-Jung can sign a minor league deal and try the MLB system in 2022. But realistically, I think Wang would like to stay in the NPB next year, even for a smaller contract. Like you said, there is a potential bigger money later factor.