We are less than three weeks away from the World Baseball Classic Qualifiers in Taipei, Taiwan. The four teams—Spain, Nicaragua, Chinese Taipei, and South Africa—will compete from February 21 to 25 to determine which two will advance to the 2026 World Baseball Classic. All four teams have revealed their rosters for the upcoming action. Here is who will represent Chinese Taipei.
Pitchers:
Catchers:
Infielders:
Outfielders:
*denotes MLB experience
Most of Taiwan’s roster has experience playing in the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL), but there are also a few players who are part of MLB organizations. Chinese Taipei finished 2-2 in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, but due to allowing more runs than Italy, the Netherlands, and Panama, they have to re-qualify for the first time in Chinese Taipei history.
If healthy, Ruei-Yang Gu Lin could provide valuable innings for Chinese Taipei. He recently signed with the Nippon-Ham Fighters in the NPB for 2025 after spending his career with the Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions in 2019. In 2024, Gu Lin pitched to a 10-2 record, posting a 1.66 ERA in 21 starts, striking out 150 batters in just 125 innings of work. He suffered a setback in Japan but could likely still see the mound in a few weeks.
Two former MLB players who will also be featured on the roster are infielders Tzu-Wei Lin and Yu Chang. Lin played in the Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twins organizations from 2017-2021. For 2022-23, he spent some time playing in the Atlantic League with the Long Island Ducks before heading back to the Rakuten Monkeys for the end of 2023 and all of 2024.
Chang played in the MLB from 2019 to 2023 with the Guardians, Pirates, Rays, and Red Sox organizations. He also served as a key performer during the 2023 World Baseball Classic, hitting .438 with two home runs and eight RBIs in four games. Chang would play with the Fubon Guardians during the 2024 season, where in 47 games, he hit ten home runs and 30 RBIs while hitting for a .270 batting average.
Chinese Taipei’s first game will be on February 21, when they will host Spain. They will also play South Africa and Nicaragua, as they are considered heavy favorites to return to the World Baseball Classic in 2026.
