Orix Buffaloes promote Taiwanese prospect Chen Mu-heng to full contract, eyeing first-team debut

Taiwanese pitching prospect Chen Mu-heng is set to make his mark in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball after being promoted to a full contract with the Orix Buffaloes. The 20-year-old right-hander, previously on a developmental contract, now has the opportunity to make his debut in the first team, a move aimed at strengthening the team's pitching depth.

The Buffaloes, currently fourth in the Pacific League with a .500 record, have faced significant challenges with injuries to key pitchers like Miyagi Hiroya and Yamashita Shuntaro, who have undergone season-ending surgeries. This situation has made bolstering the pitching staff a priority for the team.

Chen Mu-heng joined the Orix Buffaloes in October 2024 as a developmental player after being the ace for Taiwan's U18 Asian Junior Championship team. Japanese media estimates his signing bonus at 75 million yen and his annual salary at 6 million yen. This season, his second in Japan, he has pitched six scoreless innings over two appearances in the minor leagues, striking out four batters.

Reports indicate that Chen Mu-heng has overcome previous physical issues, with his fastball velocity returning to 152 kph, just shy of his personal best of 153 kph. His promotion, along with that of pitchers Honda Jinmi and Higashiyama Reiji, brings the Buffaloes' roster of fully contracted players to the maximum of 70.