Shao-Ching Chiang

Shao-Ching Chiang (江少慶)

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 0", Weight 175 lb.

• School Chinese Culture University
• High School Ku Pao Home Economics & Commercial High School

• Born November 10, 1993 in Fengbin, Hualien Taiwan

BR register page

Biographical Information

Shao-Ching Chiang has pitched in the minors and for the Taiwanese national team.

Chiang was signed by Cleveland Indians scouts Jason Lynn and T.Y. Wei in 2011, for a $250,000 signing bonus. He allowed one run in one inning for the 2012 AZL Indians and missed the rest of the year with Tommy John surgery. He pitched one scoreless inning for the team in his return in 2013. By 2014, he was back to regular duty, going 4-2 with a 4.53 ERA for the AZL Indians, walking only three in 45 2/3 IP. His fastball hit 96 mph that year on the radar gun.

In the 2014 Asian Games, he pitched one inning for Taiwan and allowed one hit for the Silver Medal winners. He had a 3-2, 3.92 record for the 2015 Mahoning Valley Scrappers. In 2016, he was 8-12 with a 3.96 ERA for the Lake County Captains, walking only 26 in 152 1/3 IP. He hit 15, a high number for a pitcher with such good control, indicating he likely worked inside a lot. He tied for second in the Midwest League in losses, two behind Austin Orewiler, and led in hit batsmen. Among Indians farmhands, he tied teammate Casey Shane for the most losses.

He was back with Taiwan for the 2017 World Baseball Classic and his 2.08 ERA was the best of any of their hurlers who allowed runs, on a shell-shocked staff with a 9.64 ERA. He did it despite facing the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Taiwanese opponent who made it the farthest (going to the semifinals). He took over for Chia-Hao Sung with a 3-2 deficit in the bottom of the fourth, one on and one out. He gave up a run-scoring single to Dashenko Ricardo and hit Randolph Oduber before getting Andrelton Simmons to hit into an inning-ending DP. He then shut down the Dutch from the 5th to the 7th, allowing two hits and no walks; one of the two runners was erased on another twin killing. Carrying a 5-4 lead into the 8th, he finally flagged. Xander Bogaerts and Wladimir Balentien singled, but Jonathan Schoop hit into a third double play. Former major leaguer Fu-Te Ni relieved but would let the inherited run score to deprive Chiang of a chance for a win; Taiwan wound up winless on the Classic.

In 2019 Premier 12, Yi Chang was the ace of Taiwan. Chiang started against Puerto Rico on the opening day for Taiwan, pitched 6 innings, only allowed a run and recorded a win over Fernando Cruz. He also faced Mexico, pitched 5 2/3 innings, allowed 2 runs and got a loss as Arturo Reyes was even better. He tied Eduardo Vera for 6th in the tournament in innings and his 13 whiffs tied Reyes for second, 8 behind Hyeon-jong Yang. He didn't pitched well in the minors, was 9-9 with a 5.15 ERA in 133 1/3 innings for the Columbus Clippers. He became a free agent, and the Tigers signed him with a minor league deal in the end of the year. However, he didn't played any games due to the Coronavirus in 2020 (which caused the cancellation of minor league baseball), and decided to come back to his hometown and joined the CPBL.

The Hualien native was the first overall pick of the 2021 CPBL Draft by the Fubon Guardians. In 12 starts in the 2021 CPBL, he had an elite 2.45 ERA with 56 strikeouts. His pitching slid down sharply in 2022, with a 4.70 ERA and 12 losses. Thanks to Tsung-Hsien Lee‎‎'s three errors in an inning, Chiang set a record of most runs without any earned runs in a game against CTBC Brothers this year.

Chiang then made Taiwan's roster for the 2023 World Baseball Classic. He started against Italy in the debut, pitched 2 innings, allowed 2 earned runs and ended up no decision. He also relieved Wei-Chung Wang in the 5th inning. Alfredo Despaigne singled, but he retired Erisbel Arruebarrena, then forced Yurisbel Gracial ground into a double play to ended that inning. In the 6th inning, Chiang walked Ariel Martinez, then Yadir Drake grounded into a double play again and he retired Yadil Mujica to end his work in the event. He pitched well in the beginning of the 2023 season, having a 3.66 ERA in 16 starts before he torn his right elbow ligament and ended his season. He was technically listed as the starter of the 2023 CPBL All-Star Game, but he couldn't pitch and Matthew Kent replaced him.

His repertoire features a fastball that peaks at 97 mph, a slider, curveball and changeup.

Sources

• Taiwan Baseball Wiki
• Old 2014 Asian Games website
• World Baseball Classic
• 2017 Indians Media Guide
• MLB.com
• 2019 Premier 12