Taiwan's rising star Hsu Chen-wei joins Orix Buffaloes, vows fastball success.

The Orix Buffaloes, a traditional powerhouse in Japan’s Pacific League, officially held a press conference today to introduce two young Taiwanese prospects to Japanese media and fans. Among the players highlighted was pitcher Hsu Chen‑wei, who formally donned the Buffaloes uniform and began his professional Japanese baseball career. In the conference, Hsu displayed a fearless, proactive attitude, openly evaluating his pitching strengths and setting a clear goal of competing at the first‑team level and making a tangible contribution to the club—an ambition that has sparked high expectations and imagination among Taiwanese supporters.

During the press briefing, Hsu answered questions calmly and articulated a clear understanding of his own pitching abilities. He assessed his greatest advantage on the mound as a velocity above league average, allowing him to deliver a fastball that exerts strong pressure on hitters. Beyond the fastball, his most destructive weapon is his forkball, a pitch that combines speed with significant vertical movement. This blend of velocity and effective breaking ball is the formula modern pitchers use to dominate line‑up hitters. Hsu expressed a desire to transplant the pitching traits he honed in Taiwan into the training and competitive environment of Japanese baseball, continually evolving to enhance overall pitching dominance.

Regarding his future life and goals in Japan, Hsu was direct: his top priority is to refine his competitive state through rigorous spring training and second‑team games, earn the coaching staff’s favor, and quickly ascend to the first‑team pitching mound to showcase his professional value at the highest level. Surviving in Japan’s highly competitive league is not easy, especially with limited foreign player slots; every international player must outperform domestic talent to secure a foothold. Hsu is mentally prepared, aware that the coming challenges will be severe and will require more effort than ever to adapt to the rhythm of Japanese baseball.

Beyond his on‑field determination, Hsu also revealed a relaxed side when discussing his expectations for life in Japan. He laughed that if he ever gets a rare break during the long, high‑intensity season, he would love to visit Universal Studios and other famous attractions in Japan, using the time to unwind, experience local culture, and enjoy the environment. This blend of professional focus and youthful curiosity helps bridge the gap between him and Japanese fans, facilitating a smoother integration into the team’s culture and society.

Observing the recent trend of Japanese teams tapping into the Taiwanese market and recruiting young talent, the Orix Buffaloes have consistently shown a proactive and friendly approach. Taiwanese players moving to Japan carry not only personal baseball aspirations but also the hopes of countless domestic fans. Hsu Chen‑wei and fellow two‑way specialist Zhang Yi‑an, who joined the same press conference, will support each other as they pursue their careers abroad. For Hsu, joining the Buffaloes is merely the starting point of his professional journey; converting his velocity and forkball into strikeouts and outs in real games will be the key to establishing himself in Japanese baseball.

(Fact source: Central News Agency)