CPBL: Fubon's New Foreign Pitcher Candelario Impressed by Taiwan's Rain, Strong Hitters

Fubon Guardians introduced their new foreign pitcher, A.J. Candelario, in a home game against the Wei Chuan Dragons, where he delivered a quality start. Candelario pitched six innings, conceding just one run, and showcased his velocity by reaching 153 kph (95 mph) on his 98th pitch, marking a positive beginning in a competitive foreign player landscape.

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The previous game felt good, and the style of play is different from the countries I've played in before. The hitters here are very talented, and I am adapting well and enjoying the atmosphere of the Fubon team.

With several games postponed due to rain, Candelario and fellow foreign pitcher Jake Mathis had only managed one start each in the main league. Mathis was scheduled for his second start against the TSG Hawks, while another unregistered foreign pitcher, Tyler Beaty, was set to pitch three innings in a minor league game. Candelario expressed satisfaction with his debut, noting that the team's atmosphere is enjoyable and that he is adapting well, despite the different style of play compared to his previous baseball experiences.

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Taiwanese batters have different hitting habits compared to those in the Americas. Most have good hitting ability, but there are also many powerful hitters, which requires me to adjust my game plan.

Candelario observed that Taiwanese batters have different hitting habits and power compared to those in the Americas, requiring him to adjust his game plan. He acknowledged the high caliber of foreign players on the Fubon Guardians, stating that he focuses on performing his best and leaves further decisions to the coaches and management. This is his first experience playing in Asia, and he has been impressed by the passionate fan support throughout games, which differs significantly from the atmosphere in the Americas.

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Our team's foreign players are all very capable, so they will play here. I don't think too much about it; I just do my best to perform my best, and leave the rest to the coaches and the club.

Reflecting on his initial impressions of Taiwan, Candelario highlighted the frequent rain as a significant difference. "I've never seen so much rain in my life," he joked, noting that the humidity and constant rain create different conditions than he's experienced elsewhere. Despite this, he finds Taiwan to be a beautiful city with impressive architecture and earthquake-resistant buildings, overall leaving him with a positive impression.

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I've never seen so much rain in my life. Rain causes humidity and makes me sweat a lot, which is different from other places I've been. However, the buildings here are beautiful and earthquake-resistant; overall, it's a very beautiful city.