Team Taiwan have announced the final 20-man roster for the upcoming WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup in Thunder Bay, Canada (1-10 September). The 2017 Taiwanese team also have 3 players that were drafted in the recent 2017 CPBL draft, and will turn professional after this tournament.
In 3 Days!!!! ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? #U18WorldCup? pic.twitter.com/iWbVqU3u11
— WBSC ⚾? (@WBSC) August 29, 2017
2017 U18 World Cup format
It’s a 12 countries tournament split into 2 groups. Team Taiwan will play in Group A along with South Korea, Australia, Italy, Nicaragua and the tournament host Canada. While at Group B we have Japan, USA, Cuba, Netherlands, Mexico and South Africa.
Team Taiwan Schedule
- 1st September 18:30 – vs Canada
- 2nd September 09:00 – vs Korea
- 3rd September 09:00 – vs Italy
- 4th September 09:30 – vs Australia
- 5th September 14:00 – vs Nicaragua
2017 Team Taiwan U-18 Roster
| Position | Name | Name | Height/Weight (cm/kg) |
|---|---|---|---|
| P | 林鋅杰 | Lin Hsin-Chieh | 189/81 |
| P | 萬昭清 | Wan Chao-Ching | 176/69 |
| P | 林瑞祥 | Lin Jui-Hsiang | 172/66 |
| P | 徐基麟 | Hsu Chi-Lin | 187/75 |
| P | 王志庭 | Wang Chih-Ting | 183/90 |
| P | 陳柏豪 | Chen Po-Hao | 177/70 |
| P | 吳世豪 | Wu Shih-Hao | 180/70 |
| P | 古林睿煬 | Gu Lin Ruei-Yang | 183/81 |
| P | 朱益生 | Chu Yi-Sheng | 180/70 |
| C | 蘇煒智 | Su Wei-Chih | 172/72 |
| C | 李丞齡 | Li Cheng-Ling | 175/70 |
| IF | 曾翰宇 | Tseng Han-Yu | 171/68 |
| IF | 王泓逸 | Wang Hung-Yi | 170/65 |
| IF | 劉致榮 | Liu Chih-Jung | 180/68 |
| IF | 李育全 | Li Yu-Chuan | 180/79 |
| IF | 郭天信 | Kuo Tien-Hsin | 173/63 |
| OF | 邱志恆 | Chiu Chih-Heng | 177/73 |
| OF | 邱丹 | Chiu Tan | 173/69 |
| OF | 朱麥可 | Chu Mai-Ko | 174/65 |
| OF | 戴焙麟 | Tai Pei-Lin | 177/80 |
U-18 Player Profiles
We won’t be going deep covering with all the players, but will do a few quick profiles on a few notable players and the probable starting pitchers of this Taiwanese squad.
萬昭清 (Wan Chao-Ching) RP
The two-way player was drafted in the 4th round by Lamigo Monkeys in 2017. Despite being a competent batter, Wan will be use predominantly as a reliever in this tournament, unless there’s a fielder out on injury.
陳柏豪 (Chen Po-Hao) RP
The young RHP was drafted in the 3rd round by Chinatrust Brothers in 2017. Chen is able to hit 145kph (90mph) on the radar and will take up the closer role for Team Taiwan. In order to protect its player, Brothers have set a pitch count restriction on Chen throughout the duration of the tournament.
吳世豪 (Wu Shih-Hao) RP
4th round pick by Fubon Guardians. Wu’s fastball is topping at 147kph (91mph) is expect to pitch out of the bullpen as a middle reliever.
Probable Starting Pitchers
林鋅杰 (Lin Hsin-Chieh) SP
The 2017 E-Sun Cup MVP 林鋅杰 (Lin Hsin-Chieh) is expect to start against Team Canada in game 1. The 18-year-old RHP is able to hit 149kph (93mph) on the gun, and will most likely to continue his study in the university next year and hoping to get the opportunity to play oversea.
劉致榮 (Liu Chih-Jung) SP
Another 2-way player that’s able to play middle infield if needed, at the same time hitting 147kph (91mph) on the gun. Liu is expect to pitch against South Korea in Game 2 of the tournament.
王志庭 (Wang Chih-Ting) SP
The young LHP is able to hit 148kph (92mph) and also have a 2-seamer with decent movement. In 2017 E-Sun Cup, Wang pitched 20.1 innings, gave up 8 hits while struck out 17. This will be the first time Wang playing for the Taiwanese junior national team.
U-18 then, MLB in 2017
Here’s a look back on 2 previous members of the Taiwanese U-18 team. We’ve seen Red Sox’s 林子偉 (Tzu-Wei Lin) & Brewers 王維中 (Wang Wei-Chung) made it to the big league in 2017. While many of their teammates are currently playing professionally in the MiLB, NPB or in CPBL.
Look back at previous IBAF/ @WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup. Featuring MLB's Red Sox 林子偉 (Tzu-Wei Lin) & Brewers 王維中 (Wang Wei-Chung) #Taiwan pic.twitter.com/rtATG0l7lo
— CPBL STATS (@GOCPBL) August 30, 2017
