Korea → Special Ace, which overwhelmed Japanese batters, is on fire to recruit three to four NPB teams
Oct 27, 2024
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According to a report by Taiwanese sports media 'ET TODAY' on the 26th, Gurin Luyang, the Tuong Lions 'Ace', will apply for international free agent status next week.
Gurin Luyang, a right-hander born in 2000, is a Taiwanese national team player 'Ace'. He is 1m84 tall and weighs 81kg, and joined the professional team after receiving a first-round pick from Tung in the 2018 rookie draft.
The Taiwanese professional baseball league (CPBL) is already in a calm state. From the 2021 season, he played as a full-fledged starter in the first team and performed best. In particular, his skills have improved even more this season. He started 21 games with a 10-2 record and 1.66 ERA. He has a one-point ERA for the second consecutive year. This season, he ranked first in the league's lowest ERA (the only one-run range among pitchers who filled the regular innings), tied for third in multiple wins, and third in the most strikeouts (150K).
He has already made a strong impression in international competitions. Gurin Luyang proved to be a formidable pitcher by taking the mound against the Korean national team in the Hangzhou Asian Games last year and allowing one hit, two strikeouts, and no walks in two innings. In the later Asian Professional Baseball Championship (APBC), he started against Japanese batters and made his presence known by pitching three hits (one homer) and two strikeouts and one run in six ⅔ innings. The advantage is that he has good ball power as a right-handed orthodox pitcher and throws a stable pitch due to his sophisticated control.
Based on the performance shown by APBC, it is rumored that Japanese clubs have begun to appeal their full-fledged interest. In particular, the team that shows the most interest is the Nippon Ham Fighters. After finding out that Gurin Luyang could exercise his overseas FA rights after the end of this season, a senior Nihonham club official recently went to Taiwan to watch his pitch, local media reported.
According to the 'CPBL Stats', general manager Tung said "Currently, three to four teams in Japan are actively interested in recruiting Gurin Luyang." he said.
Tung is in a situation where he has to give up 'Ace', but it's a new opportunity for Gurin-Luyang. A new baseball life may be opened by advancing to overseas leagues that are considered to be a little higher.
youll@sportschosun.com
