As Taiwan begins preparing for the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC), CPBL commissioner Tsai Chi-chang has been actively recruiting Taiwanese-American talent to bolster the national team. His recent trip to the U.S. included meetings with MLB outfielders Corbin Carroll and Stuart Fairchild, as well as top Cubs prospect Jonathon Long.
Tsai met with Corbin Carroll, one of the brightest young stars in Major League Baseball and a potential game-changer for Taiwan. However, Carroll respectfully declined the opportunity to represent Taiwan in 2026.
Two-time MLB All-Star Corbin Carroll has declined an invitation to play for Taiwan in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, but Taiwan could still strengthen its lineup with two U.S.-based pros.https://t.co/qGZ3X3cTsm
— Focus Taiwan (CNA English News) (@Focus_Taiwan) July 18, 2025
“[Carroll] said he was born and raised in America, and his goal now is to earn a spot on Team USA,” Tsai said. “He’s not considering any second option. He knows many talented players in Taiwan are competing for a roster spot, and he doesn’t want to take that opportunity away from them.”
Carroll, whose mother is Taiwanese, is one of MLB’s most electric outfielders. In 2025, he’s hitting .245/.324/.550 with 21 home runs and 10 triples. Though he would have been Taiwan’s top player, Carroll has his sights set firmly on wearing the red, white, and blue.
Taiwan has found stronger interest from Jonathon Long, a rising star in the Chicago Cubs organization. Long, whose mother is Taiwanese, has already been approved by the Cubs to participate in the 2026 WBC and is expected to be a key part of Taiwan’s lineup.
Taiwan is recruiting HARD 🇹🇼
3 Taiwanese-Americans who could be in the starting lineup:
– Corbin Carroll
– Stuart Fairchild
– Jonathon Long https://t.co/qW21ryXbxV— Shawn Spradling (@Shawn_Spradling) July 16, 2025
Commissioner Tsai and his team have met with Long and his family on multiple occasions. Long is currently ranked the Cubs’ No. 11 prospect by MLB Pipeline and is putting up impressive numbers in Triple-A. Long owns a 323 batting average, .401 OBP, .514 slugging, with 14 home runs and 61 RBIs.
He’s expected to start at first base and be the middle-of-the-order power bat that Taiwan needs to compete on the world stage.
Outfielder Stuart Fairchild has also expressed interest in representing Taiwan. The Atlanta Braves outfielder, whose mother is Taiwanese, spoke with CPBL officials earlier this year and remains open to playing in the WBC.
Fairchild has spent the majority of his 2025 season in the majors, hitting .216/.273/.333. While his offensive output has been modest, his MLB experience and defensive versatility make him a valuable option in right field for Team Taiwan.
Taiwan will compete in Pool C at the 2026 World Baseball Classic, opening the tournament on March 5 with a pivotal matchup against Australia. They’ll follow with games against Japan and Czechia before wrapping up pool play in a critical showdown with South Korea on March 8 at the Tokyo Dome.
With several available players from MLB-affiliated talent and strong domestic development, Taiwan is aiming to field its most competitive roster in WBC history. If players like Jonathon Long and Stuart Fairchild join forces with Taiwan’s top CPBL stars, this could be a breakthrough year for the national team.
WBN WBC: https://worldbaseball.com/league/wbc/
Photo: Atlanta Braves’ Stuart Fairchild scores a run on single hit by Marcell Ozuna against Washington Nationals pitcher Jose A. Ferrer during the seventh inning of a baseball game in Washington, Thursday, May 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
