Baseball: CPBL High-Ups Take Note: Signing Bonuses Over NT$10 Million Could Sway Top High School Talent

Taiwanese baseball's top league, the Chinese Professional Baseball Organization (CPBL), is bracing for a potentially lackluster draft as many promising high school players are increasingly looking to professional careers overseas. With no overseas-based players entering the draft this year, the focus shifts to domestic talent, but even that pool is shrinking.

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There will definitely be some influence. Playing baseball is about hoping to earn more money to help the family's livelihood. The signing bonus will indeed have an impact. If I study for a year in college and still don't have ideal offers or opportunities abroad, and the CPBL offer is good, I will enter the draft.

The CPBL has long struggled to retain its top young talent, with the record signing bonus of NT$6 million (US$180,000) set by the late Chen Chin-Feng two decades ago remaining unbroken. This has led to discussions about raising the ceiling, with some suggesting a NT$10 million (US$300,000) bonus for the top draft pick could be a game-changer. A survey of domestic high school stars indicates that such a significant financial incentive would indeed influence their decisions.

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If the CPBL signing bonus is raised, for example, exceeding 10 million NT dollars, it will have some impact on my willingness to stay. However, if the signing bonus is very high, and I don't perform well, the pressure will be immense. If the offer from abroad is good, I will choose to go abroad. If the offer is not high, and the CPBL signing bonus is good, I will stay in Taiwan. I don't reject playing in the CPBL.

Players like pitcher Hsu Chen-wei, who has seen his fastball velocity surge after sports science training, are attracting international scouts. He admits that a lucrative CPBL contract could sway him, especially if overseas offers aren't ideal. Similarly, two-way player Chang Yi-an, who regained confidence after a strong showing in the high school league, is weighing his options. He stated that while a higher CPBL bonus would be a factor, the pressure of performing with such a contract would be immense.

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Overseas sports science training is better than domestic. The equipment is also very complete. The training environment is a very important consideration. But if the CPBL has a complete training plan for individual players, I will feel more at ease and consider it more.

However, the allure of international baseball extends beyond just financial incentives. Players like Chang Yi-an highlight the superior sports science training and facilities available abroad as significant draws. While a comprehensive training plan from a CPBL team could encourage him to stay, the overall development environment overseas remains a primary consideration. Pitcher Cheng Pin-shen, on the other hand, is resolute in his decision to pursue a professional career abroad, inspired by stars like Shohei Ohtani, regardless of domestic contract offers.

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I decided to go abroad whether the CPBL team offers a 10 million NT dollar level signing bonus or not. I aspire to play in MLB and work towards my dream. If there's no opportunity right after high school graduation, I will go to National Taiwan University of Sport first.