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FuzzyRussianHat · 01-24-2025, 06:00 PM

Yu-Ren Yang – Starting Pitcher – Manila Manatees – 93.6% First Ballot

Yu-Ren Yang was a 6’0’’, 200 pound left-handed pitcher from Taichung, Taiwan’s second-largest city. Yang was a hard thrower with rock solid stuff and control along with above average movement. His velocity peaked in the 98-100 mph range with an arsenal of fastball, slider, changeup, splitter, and cutter. All but the changeup were equally potent options and gave Yang an extreme groundball tendency.

Yang’s stamina was average relative to most APB aces, but he had very good durability in the front end of his career. He would run into numerous injuries in his 30s, but still powered through for a 20-year career with a tireless work ethic. Yang had a fantastic pickoff move, but was a generally weak defensive pitcher.

In November 1993, a teenaged Yang left Taiwan for the Philippines as he signed a developmental deal with Davao. He ultimately never played a game for the Devil Rays, but did spend about three-and-a-half years in their academy. In the summer of 1997, he was part of a five-player swap with Manila. The Manatees kept him as a reserve in 1998, then debuted Yang in 1999 at age 22 with 130.2 innings. Yang struggled in four playoff relief appearances as Manila made it to the Austronesia Championship, losing to Surabaya.

Yang’s first full season was arguably the best of his career, winning an ERA title at 1.54. That would be a career best, as would his 176 ERA+, 28 quality starts, and 9.8 WAR. Yang was second in Pitcher of the Year voting, which would be his highest finish. He took third in 2004 when he led with a career-high 361 strikeouts. Yang topped 6+ WAR each year from 2000-08 and finished above 9 WAR four times. He won a second ERA title in 2006 at 1.77 and had 300+ strikeouts in seven seasons.

It wasn’t easy to get noticed with so many strong pitchers in the Taiwan-Philippine Association. It also didn’t help that Manila fell towards the middle of the standings for the 2000s, averaging 82.5 wins per season in Yang’s tenure. They wouldn’t make the playoffs apart from his rookie year, but did come close in the Philippine League with second place finishes in 2003, 2004, and 2008. The Manatees still locked Yang up with a five-year, $12,640,000 extension after the 2001 season and a six-year, $47,400,000 extension in May 2006.

As of 2037, Yang is one of five APB pitchers to throw multiple perfect games. His first came on June 26, 2000 with 17 strikeouts versus Taoyuan. The second was September 3, 2002 with 16 Ks over Davao. Yang also had a third no-hitter on April 17 with 8 strikeouts and 1 walk versus Taipei. While his career highlights largely came in the Philippines, Yang did do well representing his native Taiwan in the World Baseball Championship.

From 2000-14, Yang tossed 114.2 WBC innings with a 2.59 ERA, 10-2 record, 170 strikeouts, 28 walks, 138 ERA+, and 4.5 WAR. He finished third in 2004’s WBC Best Pitcher voting, a year which saw Taiwan take runner-up to Canada. Yang allowed only one run over 14 innings in the effort. Taiwan also had an elite eight appearance in 2010. Yang was used more as a reliever than starter with 10 WBC starts and 21 relief appearances.

Yang was impressively steady through his 20s and into his early 30s. The first setback came in 2011, as he missed more than half of the season between a strained hamstring and herniated disc. Then in August 2022, Yang suffered a torn ulnar collateral ligament with a 12 month recovery time. His future was in doubt as this coincided with the end of his Manila deal, becoming a free agent at age 36.

For the Manatees, Yang had a 196-138 record, 2.22 ERA, 3061 innings, 3755 strikeouts, 421 walks, 126 ERA+, and 93.1 WAR. His hard work was appreciated and his #21 uniform would eventually be retired. Yang focused on rehabbing for a comeback and showed some promise by spring 2013. MLB’s Washington Admirals gave him a shot at one year and $15,400,000. He made it back in September and looked good in 20 relief innings, but the Admirals didn’t keep him around beyond that.

It was good enough for Detroit to sign Yang for two years and $18 million, tossing 73.2 innings with a 3.05 ERA in 2014. He didn’t meet the vesting criteria for the second year of the deal. In 2015, he bounced around MLB, starting with Philadelphia in spring training. Yang was cut before making a start for the Phillies, but would find work for Montreal in the first half. He was cut in the summer, then made a brief return with Detroit before ending the season for Seattle.

Hartford had Yang for the spring of 2016, then he bounced to San Diego for the second half. Yang spent all of 2017 with Tampa and actually was used as a full-time starter, posting passable results with a 3.93 ERA over 215 innings. After that, the now 41-year old Yang returned to Taiwan on a two-year, $12,600,000 deal with Kaohsiung. He was a decent part-time starter with a 2.26 ERA, 107.1 innings, and 0.8 WAR in 2018 for the Steelheads. Yang retired that winter at age 41.

For his MLB tenure, Yang had a 26-21 record, 3.59 ERA, 461.1 innings, 326 strikeouts, 103 ERA+, and 6.3 WAR. For his combined pro career, Yang ended with a 226-167 record, 2.39 ERA, 3629.2 innings, 4182 strikeouts, 528 walks, 122 ERA+, and 100.2 WAR.

In APB between Manila and Kaohsiung, Yang ended with a 200-146 record, 2.22 ERA, 3168.1 innings, 3856 strikeouts, 438 walks, 296/403 quality starts, 114 complete games, 33 shutouts, 126 ERA+, 66 FIP-, and 93.9 WAR. As of 2037, Yang ranks 31^st in wins, 52^nd in innings, 82^nd in complete games, 58^th in shutouts, 30^th in strikeouts, and 20^th in WAR among pitchers.

Advanced stats showed that Yang was more efficient than the raw tallies might suggest, although he still hit the counting milestones voters liked. Although he never won the top award or saw much playoff time, Yang had two ERA titles, two perfect games, 200 wins, and 3500+ strikeouts. He was a top five level pitcher for much of his prime and the Hall of Fame voters were easily sold on the resume. With 93.6%, Yang earned first ballot status as the second member of a strong three-player class in 2024 for Austronesia Professional Baseball.

Kuo-Sheng Ting – Starting Pitcher – Taipei Tigercats – 81.3% First Ballot

Kuo-Sheng Ting was a 6’0’’, 195 pound right-handed starting pitcher from Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Ting had excellent movement and very good stuff along with respectable control. His velocity peaked in the 94-96 mph range with his cutter, but he wasn’t one to beat you with raw power. Ting’s arsenal included a curveball, screwball, changeup, and slider with a knack for changing speeds.

Ting’s stamina was above average relative to other APB aces of his era. He was weak defensively and was subpar at holding runners. A number of major injuries limited his output, but he still fought hard to survive for a 15-year career. Ting’s work ethic and leadership made him an appreciated member of the clubhouse.

Scouts were enamored with Ting even as he attended Gubao High School in Taipei. He was picked fourth overall in the 2000 APB Draft by Tainan, but declined and opted for the University of Kang Ning. Ting improved his game and was next eligible in the 2003 APB Draft, where he was picked third by Taipei. He was able to negotiate his first three years at $6,330,000 for the Tigercats, who made him a full-time starter immediately.

Ting was third in 2004 Rookie of the Year voting. His second year had his lone ERA title at 1.54 along with a Taiwan-Philippine Association best 10 shutouts. As of 2037, 10+ shutouts have only been hit 12 times in APB history. Ting was second in Pitcher of the Year voting. He wouldn’t be a finalist again in his career despite hitting 7+ WAR six more times with 9+ efforts in both 2008 and 2013. 2008 would have a career-best 1.52 ERA along with 9.7 WAR, while his highest WAR was 10.2 in 2013. Ting’s lone no-hitter would be on April 22, 2012 with 13 strikeout and 1 walk against Zamboanga.

2007 had an injury setback with a torn labrum in July. Ting bounced back though and by May 2010 signed a seven-year, $74,800,000 extension. Taipei had reversed their fortunes, ending a decade-long playoff drought in 2009. The Tigercats won the Taiwan League in 2009-10, then had a historic nine-year streak from 2012-20. Taipei though became known for struggling to finish the job, as they fell in the Taiwan-Philippine Association Championship in their six appearances from 2009-15.

Even if Taipei struggled in the playoffs, Ting generally did well. Over 90.1 playoff innings, he had a 1.99 ERA in 11 starts, 5-3 record, 117 strikeouts, 12 walks, 136 ERA+, and 3.7 WAR. His stats were decent as a regular in the World Baseball Championship for Taiwan from 2005-18. In the WBC, Ting had 217.1 innings, 3.40 ERA, 15-8 record, 276 strikeouts, 91 walks, 108 ERA+, and 4.8 WAR.

In 2010, Ting made his presence known on the world stage, giving up only one unearned run over 25.2 innings in three victorious starts for Taiwan. He struck out 40 and walked 10, helping the Taiwanese make an elite eight trip. Ting was less effective with a 4.09 ERA in 33 innings in their 2017 runner-up finish against the United States. He ranks sixth in pitching WAR, fourth in strikeouts, and second in wins amongst Taiwanese pitchers in the WBC as of 2037.

Ting missed the 2011 playoff run with a torn meniscus. He bounced back expertly in the next two years, but lost most of 2014 with another meniscus tear in his right knee. Ting was less dominant after that, but maintained a very good starter for the rest of his deal. Taipei finally broke through and won the 2016 pennant, but fell in the Austronesia Championship to Semarang. The Tigercats again lost in the TPA final in 2017, ultimately leaving Ting without an APB ring.

After the 2017 season, Ting became a free agent for the first time at age 36. Taoyuan signed him to a two-year, $21,400,000 deal, but he struggled in only seven starts in 2018. Ting suffered a torn rotator cuff in early April and was never the same after that, retiring in the winter shortly after turning 37. Taipei would bring Ting back and retire his #21 uniform for his 14-year run with the Tigercats.

Ting ended with a 187-114 record, 2.19 ERA, 2979 innings, 3583 strikeouts, 642 walks, 292/379 quality starts, 114 complete games, 43 shutouts, 126 ERA+, 65 FIP-, and 90.9 WAR. As of 2037, Ting ranks 44^th in wins, 69^th in innings, 82^nd in complete games, 33^rd in shutouts, 39^th in strikeouts, and 23^rd in pitching WAR. His ERA ranks 90^th among all pitchers with 1000+ innings.

He was another great pitcher in an era of dominant pitchers in the Taiwan-Philippine Association who put up impressive numbers even if he never won Pitcher of the Year. In his time, Ting was generally rated below his 2024 Hall of Fame classmates Donnie Luzon and Yu-Ren Yang. A couple voters thought he was far enough below those two to not be deserving of induction.

However, supporters noted that Ting hit some important milestones, had an ERA title, and was a great playoff pitcher. Even if Taipei struggled to make deep playoff runs, Ting was a huge reason that the Tigercats were Taiwan’s top team for the 2010s. Ting received a solid 81.3% to secure a first ballot spot to cap off an impressive 2024 class for Austronesia Professional Baseball.

01-24-2025, 06:00 PM	#2007
FuzzyRussianHat Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2020 Posts: 3,435	2024 APB Hall of Fame (Part 2) Yu-Ren Yang – Starting Pitcher – Manila Manatees – 93.6% First Ballot Yu-Ren Yang was a 6’0’’, 200 pound left-handed pitcher from Taichung, Taiwan’s second-largest city. Yang was a hard thrower with rock solid stuff and control along with above average movement. His velocity peaked in the 98-100 mph range with an arsenal of fastball, slider, changeup, splitter, and cutter. All but the changeup were equally potent options and gave Yang an extreme groundball tendency. Yang’s stamina was average relative to most APB aces, but he had very good durability in the front end of his career. He would run into numerous injuries in his 30s, but still powered through for a 20-year career with a tireless work ethic. Yang had a fantastic pickoff move, but was a generally weak defensive pitcher. In November 1993, a teenaged Yang left Taiwan for the Philippines as he signed a developmental deal with Davao. He ultimately never played a game for the Devil Rays, but did spend about three-and-a-half years in their academy. In the summer of 1997, he was part of a five-player swap with Manila. The Manatees kept him as a reserve in 1998, then debuted Yang in 1999 at age 22 with 130.2 innings. Yang struggled in four playoff relief appearances as Manila made it to the Austronesia Championship, losing to Surabaya. Yang’s first full season was arguably the best of his career, winning an ERA title at 1.54. That would be a career best, as would his 176 ERA+, 28 quality starts, and 9.8 WAR. Yang was second in Pitcher of the Year voting, which would be his highest finish. He took third in 2004 when he led with a career-high 361 strikeouts. Yang topped 6+ WAR each year from 2000-08 and finished above 9 WAR four times. He won a second ERA title in 2006 at 1.77 and had 300+ strikeouts in seven seasons. It wasn’t easy to get noticed with so many strong pitchers in the Taiwan-Philippine Association. It also didn’t help that Manila fell towards the middle of the standings for the 2000s, averaging 82.5 wins per season in Yang’s tenure. They wouldn’t make the playoffs apart from his rookie year, but did come close in the Philippine League with second place finishes in 2003, 2004, and 2008. The Manatees still locked Yang up with a five-year, $12,640,000 extension after the 2001 season and a six-year, $47,400,000 extension in May 2006. As of 2037, Yang is one of five APB pitchers to throw multiple perfect games. His first came on June 26, 2000 with 17 strikeouts versus Taoyuan. The second was September 3, 2002 with 16 Ks over Davao. Yang also had a third no-hitter on April 17 with 8 strikeouts and 1 walk versus Taipei. While his career highlights largely came in the Philippines, Yang did do well representing his native Taiwan in the World Baseball Championship. From 2000-14, Yang tossed 114.2 WBC innings with a 2.59 ERA, 10-2 record, 170 strikeouts, 28 walks, 138 ERA+, and 4.5 WAR. He finished third in 2004’s WBC Best Pitcher voting, a year which saw Taiwan take runner-up to Canada. Yang allowed only one run over 14 innings in the effort. Taiwan also had an elite eight appearance in 2010. Yang was used more as a reliever than starter with 10 WBC starts and 21 relief appearances. Yang was impressively steady through his 20s and into his early 30s. The first setback came in 2011, as he missed more than half of the season between a strained hamstring and herniated disc. Then in August 2022, Yang suffered a torn ulnar collateral ligament with a 12 month recovery time. His future was in doubt as this coincided with the end of his Manila deal, becoming a free agent at age 36. For the Manatees, Yang had a 196-138 record, 2.22 ERA, 3061 innings, 3755 strikeouts, 421 walks, 126 ERA+, and 93.1 WAR. His hard work was appreciated and his #21 uniform would eventually be retired. Yang focused on rehabbing for a comeback and showed some promise by spring 2013. MLB’s Washington Admirals gave him a shot at one year and $15,400,000. He made it back in September and looked good in 20 relief innings, but the Admirals didn’t keep him around beyond that. It was good enough for Detroit to sign Yang for two years and $18 million, tossing 73.2 innings with a 3.05 ERA in 2014. He didn’t meet the vesting criteria for the second year of the deal. In 2015, he bounced around MLB, starting with Philadelphia in spring training. Yang was cut before making a start for the Phillies, but would find work for Montreal in the first half. He was cut in the summer, then made a brief return with Detroit before ending the season for Seattle. Hartford had Yang for the spring of 2016, then he bounced to San Diego for the second half. Yang spent all of 2017 with Tampa and actually was used as a full-time starter, posting passable results with a 3.93 ERA over 215 innings. After that, the now 41-year old Yang returned to Taiwan on a two-year, $12,600,000 deal with Kaohsiung. He was a decent part-time starter with a 2.26 ERA, 107.1 innings, and 0.8 WAR in 2018 for the Steelheads. Yang retired that winter at age 41. For his MLB tenure, Yang had a 26-21 record, 3.59 ERA, 461.1 innings, 326 strikeouts, 103 ERA+, and 6.3 WAR. For his combined pro career, Yang ended with a 226-167 record, 2.39 ERA, 3629.2 innings, 4182 strikeouts, 528 walks, 122 ERA+, and 100.2 WAR. In APB between Manila and Kaohsiung, Yang ended with a 200-146 record, 2.22 ERA, 3168.1 innings, 3856 strikeouts, 438 walks, 296/403 quality starts, 114 complete games, 33 shutouts, 126 ERA+, 66 FIP-, and 93.9 WAR. As of 2037, Yang ranks 31^st in wins, 52^nd in innings, 82^nd in complete games, 58^th in shutouts, 30^th in strikeouts, and 20^th in WAR among pitchers. Advanced stats showed that Yang was more efficient than the raw tallies might suggest, although he still hit the counting milestones voters liked. Although he never won the top award or saw much playoff time, Yang had two ERA titles, two perfect games, 200 wins, and 3500+ strikeouts. He was a top five level pitcher for much of his prime and the Hall of Fame voters were easily sold on the resume. With 93.6%, Yang earned first ballot status as the second member of a strong three-player class in 2024 for Austronesia Professional Baseball. Kuo-Sheng Ting – Starting Pitcher – Taipei Tigercats – 81.3% First Ballot Kuo-Sheng Ting was a 6’0’’, 195 pound right-handed starting pitcher from Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Ting had excellent movement and very good stuff along with respectable control. His velocity peaked in the 94-96 mph range with his cutter, but he wasn’t one to beat you with raw power. Ting’s arsenal included a curveball, screwball, changeup, and slider with a knack for changing speeds. Ting’s stamina was above average relative to other APB aces of his era. He was weak defensively and was subpar at holding runners. A number of major injuries limited his output, but he still fought hard to survive for a 15-year career. Ting’s work ethic and leadership made him an appreciated member of the clubhouse. Scouts were enamored with Ting even as he attended Gubao High School in Taipei. He was picked fourth overall in the 2000 APB Draft by Tainan, but declined and opted for the University of Kang Ning. Ting improved his game and was next eligible in the 2003 APB Draft, where he was picked third by Taipei. He was able to negotiate his first three years at $6,330,000 for the Tigercats, who made him a full-time starter immediately. Ting was third in 2004 Rookie of the Year voting. His second year had his lone ERA title at 1.54 along with a Taiwan-Philippine Association best 10 shutouts. As of 2037, 10+ shutouts have only been hit 12 times in APB history. Ting was second in Pitcher of the Year voting. He wouldn’t be a finalist again in his career despite hitting 7+ WAR six more times with 9+ efforts in both 2008 and 2013. 2008 would have a career-best 1.52 ERA along with 9.7 WAR, while his highest WAR was 10.2 in 2013. Ting’s lone no-hitter would be on April 22, 2012 with 13 strikeout and 1 walk against Zamboanga. 2007 had an injury setback with a torn labrum in July. Ting bounced back though and by May 2010 signed a seven-year, $74,800,000 extension. Taipei had reversed their fortunes, ending a decade-long playoff drought in 2009. The Tigercats won the Taiwan League in 2009-10, then had a historic nine-year streak from 2012-20. Taipei though became known for struggling to finish the job, as they fell in the Taiwan-Philippine Association Championship in their six appearances from 2009-15. Even if Taipei struggled in the playoffs, Ting generally did well. Over 90.1 playoff innings, he had a 1.99 ERA in 11 starts, 5-3 record, 117 strikeouts, 12 walks, 136 ERA+, and 3.7 WAR. His stats were decent as a regular in the World Baseball Championship for Taiwan from 2005-18. In the WBC, Ting had 217.1 innings, 3.40 ERA, 15-8 record, 276 strikeouts, 91 walks, 108 ERA+, and 4.8 WAR. In 2010, Ting made his presence known on the world stage, giving up only one unearned run over 25.2 innings in three victorious starts for Taiwan. He struck out 40 and walked 10, helping the Taiwanese make an elite eight trip. Ting was less effective with a 4.09 ERA in 33 innings in their 2017 runner-up finish against the United States. He ranks sixth in pitching WAR, fourth in strikeouts, and second in wins amongst Taiwanese pitchers in the WBC as of 2037. Ting missed the 2011 playoff run with a torn meniscus. He bounced back expertly in the next two years, but lost most of 2014 with another meniscus tear in his right knee. Ting was less dominant after that, but maintained a very good starter for the rest of his deal. Taipei finally broke through and won the 2016 pennant, but fell in the Austronesia Championship to Semarang. The Tigercats again lost in the TPA final in 2017, ultimately leaving Ting without an APB ring. After the 2017 season, Ting became a free agent for the first time at age 36. Taoyuan signed him to a two-year, $21,400,000 deal, but he struggled in only seven starts in 2018. Ting suffered a torn rotator cuff in early April and was never the same after that, retiring in the winter shortly after turning 37. Taipei would bring Ting back and retire his #21 uniform for his 14-year run with the Tigercats. Ting ended with a 187-114 record, 2.19 ERA, 2979 innings, 3583 strikeouts, 642 walks, 292/379 quality starts, 114 complete games, 43 shutouts, 126 ERA+, 65 FIP-, and 90.9 WAR. As of 2037, Ting ranks 44^th in wins, 69^th in innings, 82^nd in complete games, 33^rd in shutouts, 39^th in strikeouts, and 23^rd in pitching WAR. His ERA ranks 90^th among all pitchers with 1000+ innings. He was another great pitcher in an era of dominant pitchers in the Taiwan-Philippine Association who put up impressive numbers even if he never won Pitcher of the Year. In his time, Ting was generally rated below his 2024 Hall of Fame classmates Donnie Luzon and Yu-Ren Yang. A couple voters thought he was far enough below those two to not be deserving of induction. However, supporters noted that Ting hit some important milestones, had an ERA title, and was a great playoff pitcher. Even if Taipei struggled to make deep playoff runs, Ting was a huge reason that the Tigercats were Taiwan’s top team for the 2010s. Ting received a solid 81.3% to secure a first ballot spot to cap off an impressive 2024 class for Austronesia Professional Baseball. __________________ Baseball: The World's Game fictional world reports The Level Playing Field: Alternate MLB History From 1884-Onward Continental Baseball Federation world reports (8-tier promotion/relegation sim and college feeder)