TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwanese pitcher Chen Po-yu (陳柏毓) of the Pittsburgh Pirates’ minor league system has returned from the US to join Team Taiwan’s first phase of training for the World Baseball Classic, reporting to the National Sports Training Center in Taichung on Wednesday.
Chen said he asked to join the national team’s training camp at the earliest possible opportunity. His goal, he said, is to earn a spot on the final 30-man roster, per Liberty Times.
The World Baseball Classic is scheduled for March 5–17. Chen said he hopes to build chemistry with his teammates and the coaching staff quickly. “Our group is quite strong, and it feels very exciting,” Chen said.
Chen Po-yu participating in training. (CNA photo)
Chen said the Pirates let him train in Taiwan while reminding him to closely watch his health. He said he is confident in his physical condition and is looking forward to training.
Looking ahead to the tournament, Chen said each competing country is expected to field its best players. He added that he has no specific batter he is eager to face. “No matter who it is, even if it’s Shohei Ohtani, I hope to strike them out,” he said.
Chen is expected to return to the US in February to join the Pirates’ spring training. Reflecting on last season, he said his year in Double-A was particularly memorable.
He said he dealt with physical issues midway through the season, which led to a drop in his conditioning, before recovering toward the end. In hindsight, he described the season as a rollercoaster ride.