“I expect you to show good performance if you adapt well.”
Son Hyuk, head of Hanwha Eagles, did not hide his expectations for Wang Yancheng (彦程, Taiwan).
Hanwha announced on the 13th that it signed Wang Yancheng, a former member of the Rakuten Golden Eagles of the Japanese Professional Baseball (NPB), for an annual salary of $100,000.
사진 확대 Photo = Courtesy of Hanwha
Wang Yancheng, a former member of the Taiwanese national team, is a left-hander with a physique of 180 centimeters and 82 kilograms. Fast balls and sharp sliders of up to 154km are the main weapons, and aggressive pitches from concise delivery as well as fast quick motion learned from long NPB experience are also considered strengths.
Wang Yancheng, who signed a training player contract with Rakuten in 2019, has played in the NPB Eastern League so far this year. In 85 NPB Eastern League games (343 innings), he recorded 20 wins and 11 losses with a 3.62248 ERA. In particular, he played well this year. In 22 games (116 innings), he recorded 10 wins (2nd in the Eastern League) with five losses and a 3.26 ERA (3rd in the Eastern League) with 84 strikeouts.
Wang Yancheng played only in the second division due to the restrictions on the NPB’s foreign player holding the first team, but he is definitely evaluated as having great potential. At the 2018 Under-18 Asian Baseball Championship and the Asian Professional Baseball Championship (APBC) 2023, he was called by the Taiwanese national baseball team. In particular, he also started against Korea in APBC 2023.
Hanwha put a lot of effort into holding Wang Yancheng in his arms. In February, when KBO league team scouts usually head to the Major League Baseball (MLB) spring camp, all overseas scouts went to Okinawa to focus on selecting and focusing on NPB players.
On top of that, Hanwha leaders, including general manager Son Hyuk, often traveled to Japan to observe the players themselves, and as a result, they succeeded in recruiting Wang Yancheng, who is considered one of the best players.
사진 확대 The “2025 KBO League” Hanwha Eagles and Doosan Bears will be held at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul on July 23. Hanwha manager Kim Kyung-moon and general manager Son Hyuk are talking. Photo = Reporter Chun Jung-hwan
General manager Son Hyuk said, “I expect him to be a player who can continue to rotate the starting rotation. Although he is a second-tier player this season, he has also gained full-time experience in NPB, he said. “In the meantime, there has been only one left-hander in our team’s starting lineup. With the addition of Wang Yancheng, we can balance left and right,” he said.
“I also liked the fact that he is a young left-hander with still potential for development. In particular, as there are many left-handed hitters in each KBO League club, he predicted that left-handers will be competitive.
“I’m basically a fastball pitcher, and I’ve seen him pitch three times, and I liked how he maintains his speed even after 100 pitches,” general manager Sohn said. “The advantage is that he throws various pitches, including changeups, curves, and splitters, on the slider.” If I adapt well, I will show good performance,” he said, expressing expectations.
The player’s will is also strong. Wang Yancheng said, “It’s an honor to join Hanwha as the No. 1 Asian quarter player. “I thank the Hanwha team for the opportunity,” he said. “Hanwha is a strong team that advanced to the Korean Series this year, and I know it as a team with great fans’ passion and love above all else. I’m really happy to be part of such a great team, and I can’t wait to feel your fans’ passion firsthand as soon as possible. Hanwha flew high this season, and I want to help it fly higher next season,” he stressed.
[Lee Hanjoo, MK Sports Reporter]