Was the Premier 12 win that intense? I was abandoned in Japan, but I got a lot of love calls again
Nov 28, 2024
|
Taiwan's national baseball team's 'Premier12' victory surprised the world. In particular, Taiwan won the championship trophy by completely overpowering world No. 1 Japan in the final.
Japan's national baseball team, which cruised to 27 consecutive international competitions and all major international competitions except for the recent Tokyo Olympics, WBC, and APBC, failed to win the championship.
Japan also seems to be surprised by Taiwan's baseball capabilities. Japanese baseball and Taiwanese baseball have a deep history of exchanges. Baseball began to spread under the influence of Japan's colonial rule, and there are still many exchanges between leagues. Not only foreign players but also Japanese players who have not found a team in the Japanese Professional Baseball (NPB) will advance to Taiwan, and Taiwanese prospects will advance to the NPB. Gurin Luyang, an emerging ace who recently dominated the Taiwanese league, signed a three-year contract with the Nippon Ham Fighters through the posting system.
Jang Yi, who pitched as the second pitcher after Lin Yu-min in the final of 'Premier 12' and pitched three scoreless innings, is once again drawing attention from Japanese clubs.
A native of Taiwan, Zhang graduated from high school and university in Japan and challenged for the NPB draft. There are many cases like this among amateur student-athletes in Taiwan. Zhang Yi, who is also the cousin of Yang Daigang, a former member of the Taiwanese national team, is not classified as a foreign player because he is eligible for the NPB draft.
Starting as a nurturing player for the Orix Buffaloes in 2016, he played for Orix until the 2022 season, moved to the Seibu Lions in the 2023 season, and was released after a year due to injury.
After that, he returned to his home country of Taiwan and played for Fubang Guardians this season. Korean players also made a strong impression five years ago in 2019 'Premier 12'. At that time, Jang-i started against Korea in the Super Round and silenced major South Korean hitters with six scoreless innings in six ⅓.
There were doubts that the shoulder injury may have effectively ended his career, but Jang-i performed brilliantly in this 'Premier 12'. He played in five games as a bullpen and did not give up a single run in eight scoreless innings.
Therefore, local media reports said that it is receiving attention from Japanese clubs again. Taiwan 'ET TODAY' reported that Zhang Yi's agent received a call from Japanese clubs on the 26th asking about the contract situation and the possibility of returning to the NPB.
Since it does not fall under the foreign player quota, Japanese clubs can recruit again without any burden. The key is whether Jang will be allowed to transfer. There is a requirement to play for at least three seasons under the Taiwan League regulations, and it is necessary to consider whether Zhang Yi is a player who falls under this regulation or is able to play overseas again.
However, just by receiving offers from Japanese clubs again, it has been confirmed that 'Premier 12' was a stage of great opportunity for Jang.
youll@sportschosun.com
