Uni-Lions Select Huang Ching-che First Overall in CPBL Draft; Manager Calls Him Most Important Acquisition

The Uni-Lions secured infielder Huang Ching-che with the first overall selection in the 2026 Chinese Professional Baseball Organization (CPBL) draft. Manager Lin Yueh-ping highlighted Huang as the team's top priority, stating he was the best available position player after pitcher Chen Yu-hsun withdrew from the draft the day before.

Lin praised Huang's physical attributes and on-field instincts, noting his explosiveness, speed, agility, and adaptability as superior among the infield prospects. Despite Huang's relatively small stature, the team plans to nurture his development, aiming for him to quickly showcase his abilities in games. Huang's confidence in being a first-round pick was not surprising to Lin, who acknowledged the strong competition among infielders in this year's draft.

"If we didn't pick him in the first round, the other two teams might have," Lin explained, underscoring the strategic importance of securing Huang early. The Uni-Lions also drafted pitcher Lee Hsing-han from Pingjen High School in the second round. Lin indicated that the team evaluates pitchers based on their delivery style rather than solely on whether they played in the wood-bat or aluminum-bat leagues.

The team's draft strategy focused heavily on high school graduating seniors, reflecting a long-term vision for player development. The Uni-Lions aim to cultivate these young talents, similar to how they developed Wang Hsuan-yu last year, to eventually become key contributors to the team's roster.

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If we didn't pick him in the first round, the other two teams might have.