In the CPBL this past week, one of the best pitching performances of the season in Taiwan took place between the CTBC Brothers and Wei Chuan Dragons.
Jo-Hsi Hsu, the best pitcher in the CPBL and the ace for the Dragons, put on a show against the Brothers, throwing five shutout innings, allowing just one hit and striking out eight while touching 97.6 mph. After an injury that prevented his debut in 2025 until April 15, he has been electric. In two starts, he has gone 11 innings and struck out 15 while allowing just one run and six hits.
Hsu has shown he has a high ceiling, and Major League Baseball scouts have noticed as well, with representatives from the Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies, and Texas Rangers in attendance on Saturday. He has been mentioned as someone who could be signed through MLB’s international free agent signing period, as Rōki Sasaki was. He will not have officially played in the six required seasons to be signed through the posting system. Nippon Professional Baseball teams are also reportedly interested in signing him.
The Wei Chuan Dragons, on the back of their pitching staff, are sitting in second place in the CPBL. On top of Hsu, Andrew Gagnon has an ERA of 0.35, Tyler Eppler has an ERA of 2.16 and Zac Lowther with a 1.47 ERA. They form the CPBL’s clear cut best rotation. That was on full display this weekend. On the finale on Sunday, a day after Hsu’s gem, Lowther threw six innings of one-run ball and struck out six to help the Dragons get the win.
Former MLB pitcher Roenis Elias turned in his best start of the year in Fubon’s 3-2 loss to Rakuten on Sunday. He went 7 innings and struck out 7 while allowing just 1 run. He is third in the CPBL in strikeouts with 26.
5 of the last 6 years in the CPBL, a pitcher has taken home the MVP award. This year, with offense continuing to be suppressed, expect something similar. Andrew Gagnon, the 2023 MVP, is one of the early front runners this year. He has an ERA of 0.35 and 18 strikeouts in 25 2/3 innings. He has stiff competition this year for the award. Former MLB pitcher Humberto Castellanos, is off to a hot start for the CTBC Brothers. He has 25 strikeouts in 31 1/3 with a 1.44 ERA. Lions OF An-Ko Lin and Monkeys OF Li Lin represented the top performers offensively with them being tied in the lead for homers with 4 and top 2 in OPS. They, unfortunately have suffered injuries. If they can return shortly, they should be in the mix to take home the MVP in 2025.
CPBL standings
1. Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions (13-8)
2. Wei Chuan Dragons (12-8)
3. CTBC Brothers (13-9)
4. Rakuten Monkeys (8-10)
5. TSG Hawks (9-12)
6. Fubon Guardians (6-14)
