Brothers' breakout star Chang Shih-lun ineligible for Rookie of the Year

Brothers slugger Chang Shih-lun is enjoying a career year, extending his hitting streak to 17 games and his on-base streak to 22 games with a .328 batting average. However, the 21-year-old is ineligible for the Rookie of the Year award this season. Chinese Professional Baseball League rules stipulate that players with more than two years of major league experience cannot contend for the award.

Brothers manager Eiji Kinoshita acknowledged Chang's impressive performance, including a crucial stolen base and subsequent insurance run scored in the ninth inning of a recent game. Kinoshita praised Chang's baserunning, noting that while the young player sometimes "rushes" and needs reminders, the team aims to foster an environment where he can play freely without overthinking.

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Although he sometimes rushes and needs reminders, he is a young player, and we hope to create an environment where he can run as much as possible without thinking too much.

Chang's current success contrasts sharply with his limited opportunities in his first two seasons. He appeared in only 14 games and had just 13 at-bats, with no hits in 2023. Kinoshita explained that the team's intense focus on championship contention during those years meant fewer chances for less experienced players. He cited examples like Yueh Cheng-hua and Chang Jen-wei being sent down to the minor leagues after mistakes, indicating the high bar for playing time.

"I never thought I would stay in the first team this long," Chang said. "I've waited a long time for this opportunity and I'm glad I seized it, playing all the way to now." His current streak is the longest in the league this season and the longest for the Brothers since Wang Wei-chen's 18-game streak in 2022. The team record is 30 games by Chang Chih-hao in 2016, and the league record is 33 games by Chen Chen-wei in 2025.

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I never thought I would stay in the first team this long. I've waited a long time for this opportunity and I'm glad I seized it, playing all the way to now.