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Daniel Mengden, Kirk McCarty Sign With CPBL’s CTBC Brothers

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Pitchers Daniel Mengden and Kirk McCarty have signed with the CTBC Brothers of the Chinese Professional Baseball League in Taiwan, according to CPBL Stats. The CTBC Brothers have also re-signed pitcher José De Paula, who has been playing in Taiwan since the 2020 season (per CPBL Stats).

Mengden, 31 in February, played six seasons in the majors, with a brief stop-off in the KBO in between his fifth and sixth MLB campaigns. He was drafted by the Astros in 2014 but traded to the Athletics the following summer as part of the return package for Scott Kazmir. The righty made his debut in Oakland the year after that, and over the next five seasons, he appeared in 60 games (48 starts) for the A’s, tossing 302 2/3 innings with a 4.64 ERA.

After being designated for assignment and electing free agency, Mengden spent the 2021 season with the Kia Tigers in the KBO, making 21 starts with a 3.60 ERA. Most impressively, he threw 120 innings, more than he ever reached in a single season in MLB. He returned stateside in 2022, signing a minor league deal with the Royals and earning a couple of big league call-ups, tossing 109 innings at Triple-A Omaha and another seven with Kansas City. He then split the 2023 season between the Royals’ and Nationals’ organizations, although his 7.25 ERA kept him from earning another call to the show.

McCarty, 28, was drafted by Cleveland in 2017, where he slowly rose through the minor league ranks before making his MLB debut in 2022. He was DFA’d that summer and briefly picked up by the Orioles, but less than two weeks later he was DFA’d again (having pitched just one game for Baltimore’s Triple-A affiliate) and wound up back in Cleveland. Overall, he appeared in 13 games during his one and only big league season, tossing 37 2/3 innings and posting a 4.54 ERA and 4.57 SIERA.

While McCarty has far less MLB experience than Mengden, he’s coming off a strong season with the SSG Landers in Korea. He signed with the Landers in November 2022, shortly after he was released by the Guardians, and went on to make 24 starts in his lone KBO season, pitching to a 3.39 ERA over 130 frames. Presumably, Mengden and McCarty will both join the CTBC Brothers rotation in 2024.

Those two will be joining mainstay De Paula, who has led the team in innings pitched each of the the past four seasons. Soon to be 36, the southpaw first played affiliated ball for the Padres organization in 2007 and briefly appeared in the majors with the Yankees eight years later. However, he has more recently made a name for himself in foreign leagues; he spent two years playing in Mexico from 2018-19, and since 2020 has pitched for the CTBC Brothers in Taiwan. He was named the CPBL MVP in each of his first two seasons and has continued to succeed into his mid-thirties; in 2023, he made 27 starts with a 3.53 ERA.

Nivaldo Rodríguez Signs With CPBL’s Fubon Guardians

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Right-hander Nivaldo Rodríguez has signed with the Fubon Guardians of the Chinese Professional Baseball League in Taiwan, per CPBL Stats.

Rodríguez, 27 in April, was a notable prospect in the Astros’ system as he climbed the minor league ladder. From 2016 to 2019, he threw 225 1/3 minor league innings with a 2.40 earned run average, pairing a 25.6% strikeout rate with a 7.5% walk rate. He was added to the club’s 40-man roster in November of 2019 to keep him out of the Rule 5 draft and was considered the #23 prospect in the system by Baseball America going into 2020.

He then appeared in nine major league games over the next couple of seasons, pitching in five contests in 2020 and four more in 2021. He tossed 16 innings with a 4.50 ERA in that small sample. The Tigers claimed him off waivers in August of 2021 but kept him in the minors. He finished that year having thrown 62 Triple-A innings between the two systems, with a combined 5.37 ERA.

The Tigers outrighted him off the roster in November of 2021 but he didn’t have the ability to elect free agency, sticking with the club as non-roster depth. In 2022, he made 15 starts and four relief appearances at Triple-A with a 6.92 ERA in his 65 innings. He was released in August and signed on with the Sioux City Explorers of the American Association of Professional Baseball, an independent league. He tossed 30 innings over five starts for that club with an ERA of 1.50. He then spent 2023 with the Sultanes de Monterrey of the Mexican League, posting a 2.76 ERA in 94 2/3 innings there.

The former prospect obviously struggled in his last taste of affiliated ball but has shown some encouraging results over the past year-plus. The righty will now head to Taiwan to see how things fare over there. The CPBL is considered to be a lower level of competition than Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball or the Korea Baseball Organization, but Rodríguez is still young and could perhaps get himself back on track and pitch his way into other opportunities.

Eric Stout Drawing Interest From MLB Clubs

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Free agent left-hander Eric Stout is drawing interest from all over the baseball world, with Jon Heyman of The New York Post reporting that the southpaw has interest from clubs in Major League Baseball, Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball and the Korea Baseball Organization.

Stout, 31 in March, has very limited major league experience, having appeared in three games for the Royals in 2018 and 20 games in 2022, split between the Cubs and Pirates. His 24 2/3 innings have resulted in an unsightly earned run average of 7.30, though in a very small sample. His minor league work has naturally been stronger, including an ERA of 4.63 in his Triple-A career.

In 2023, Stout began the year on a minor league deal with the Cubs, then was released and signed another with the Mariners. In early July, he had a 4.20 ERA in Triple-A for the year when he was released to pursue an opportunity with the CTBC Brothers of the Chinese Professional Baseball League in Taiwan. Stout did well with this change of scenery, making 12 starts for the Brothers with an ERA of 3.28. In his 68 2/3 innings, he struck out 27.9% of batters faced while walking just 4.6%.

Based on that strong showing, it seems Stout may have opened other opportunities for himself. Even if he doesn’t get a deal with a major league club, the NPB and KBO are both considered to be a step up from the CPBL. Moving up the ladder in that sense and continuing to have success would increase his chances of getting an MLB deal down the line.

Scott Blewett Signs With CPBL’s Uni-Lions

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Right-hander Scott Blewett has signed with the Uni-Lions of the Chinese Professional Baseball League, per CPBL Stats.

Blewett, 27, signed a minor league deal with the Braves at the end of March. He’s since made 17 appearances for their Triple-A club, including 13 starts, logging 72 2/3 innings. He allowed 4.21 earned runs per nine innings in that time, struck out 24.7% of batters faced, walked 9.4% of them and got grounders on 42.6% of balls in play.

The Braves recently got Max Fried back from the injured list, rejoining the rotation next to Spencer Strider, Charlie Morton, Bryce Elder and Yonny Chirinos. Spot starts this year have gone to players on the 40-man roster like Allan Winans, Michael Soroka, AJ Smith-Shawver, Dylan Dodd and Jared Shuster.

Despite Blewett’s generally solid work this year, his path towards a role on the big league club was a steep one. But it will get him a chance to prove himself in Taiwan, likely with a higher salary than he was earning in the minor leagues.

Prior to this year, Blewett spent most of his career with the Royals, who selected him in the second round in 2014. He was able to make his major league debut with that club, tossing eight innings over 2020 and 2021 with a 3.38 ERA. He was outrighted at the end of that latter campaign, then spent 2022 with the White Sox on a minor league deal without getting called back to the big leagues.

Tzu-Wei Lin To Join CPBL’s TSG Hawks

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Infielder Tzu-Wei Lin has agreed to a deal with the TSG Hawks of the Chinese Professional Baseball League (hat tip to CPBL Stats on Twitter).  Lin had been playing with the Long Island Ducks of the independent Atlantic League, and the Ducks announced yesterday that the Hawks had purchased the 29-year-old’s contract.

It’s a homecoming for Lin, as the Hawks play in Lin’s birthplace of Kaohsiung.  However, the signing marks Lin’s professional debut in Taiwan, as he has spent almost his entire pro career in North America since signing with the Red Sox for a $2.05MM bonus in 2012.  Most of that time was spent in Boston’s organization, including 101 Major League games with the Sox from 2017-20.  The Red Sox outrighted Lin off their roster following the 2020 campaign and he caught on with the Twins on a minor league deal, then appearing in a single MLB game during the 2021 season.

That marked Lin’s last trip to the Show, as he spent the rest of 2021 at Minnesota’s Triple-A affiliate, and he then played in the Mets’ farm system throughout 2022 without another call-up.  The Mets released Lin in August 2022 and he caught on with Long Island, plus he spent some time over the winter in the Australian Baseball League.

Lin bought a lot of versatility to the table during his big league career, appearing at every position except first base while primarily suiting up as a middle infielder.  He hit .223/.298/.316 over 218 plate appearances in the majors, and also didn’t contribute much at the plate (.245/.317/.337) over 2828 PA in the affiliated minor leagues.  Lin did hit very well during his stint with the Ducks, and it could be that he might keep this hot hitting going in front of the hometown fans in Kaohsiung.

CPBL’s Uni-Lions Agree To Terms With Keyvius Sampson

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Former Reds pitcher Keyvius Sampson has agreed to a deal to return to the Uni-Lions of the Chinese Professional Baseball League (H/T CPBL Stats).

Sampson, 32 yesterday, made ten starts for the team last year, pitching to a 3.54 ERA over 61 innings. He also spent time in independent ball, logging 37 innings of 3.41 ERA ball for Lexington.

A fourth round draft pick by the Padres back in 2009, Sampson was taken off waivers by the Reds in 2015. He made his big league debut that year, making 12 starts (13 appearances) and working to a 6.54 ERA over 52 1/3 innings. The Reds shifted him to the bullpen in 2016, and Sampson enjoyed a bit of improvement from his rookie campaign, working to a 4.35 ERA over 39 1/3 innings. A high walk and home run rate meant the underlying numbers were far less promising though, and the Reds cut ties with Sampson at the end of the season.

Since then, he’s bounced around a fair bit, inking minor league deals with the Diamondbacks, Rangers, Marlins, Giants and most recently the White Sox back in 2021. He never made it back to the big leagues during that time though, and worked to a 5.40 ERA over 315 innings at Triple-A. Dotted throughout that time has been stints in Korea, Mexico and Venezuela.

Shawn Morimando In Talks With CPBL’s CTBC Brothers

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The CTBC Brothers of Taiwan’s Chinese Professional Baseball League are reportedly in talks with former big league pitcher Shawn Morimando (h/t to CPBL Stats). If a deal emerges, it will be Morimando’s third stint with the Brothers, having made appearances with the team during the 2021 and 2022 seasons.

Morimando, 30, was selected by the Guardians in the 19th round of the 2011 draft and would make his major league debut with the team during the 2016 season. However, he would be unable to secure a permanent role in Cleveland’s bullpen, instead spending the 2017 season with their Triple-A affiliate in Columbus before being released mid-way through the 2018 season, eventually joining Toronto on a minor league deal. The lefty would spend the rest of the 2018 season and the entirety of the 2019 season with Toronto’s Triple-A team in Buffalo before spending the 2020 season in Australia.

Following the conclusion of the 2020 season, Morimando would return state-side, signing a minor league deal with the Marlins in February 2021 and eventually earning a promotion to the big league club in May — his first appearance at the Major League level since 2016. However, he struggled to a 9.58 ERA over 10 1/3 innings (four appearances) and was outrighted several times over the season before being released in late September. Morimando would spend the remainder of 2021 with the CTBC Brothers, and re-signed with the club following the conclusion of the season.

The southpaw had a strong start in his second season with the Brothers, pitching to a 2.56 ERA in 91 1/3 innings (14 starts) with an 89:29 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Nevertheless, the club released Morimando in July to allow him to pursue an opportunity in South Korea with the SSG Landers. After joining the Landers, Morimando continued his strong 2022 form, pitching 75 1/3 innings of 1.67 ERA baseball, albeit with a poorer 67:23 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

Despite having played in parts of 12 seasons of affiliate baseball, Morimando has only recently turned 30 and could eventually look for a return to the affiliated ranks if he performs well in the CPBL. For now, Morimando will likely slot into the starting rotation of a Brothers’ team fresh off their second consecutive league victory.

CPBL’s CTBC Brothers Extend Jose De Paula

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The CTBC Brothers of Taiwan’s Chinese Professional Baseball League have signed left-handed pitcher Jose De Paula to a two-year extension that will cover the 2022 and 2023 seasons. (Hat tip to CPBL Stats, relaying a report from ETtoday.)

The native of the Dominican Republic was originally signed by the Padres, making his affiliated debut in rookie ball as a 19-year-old back in 2007. De Paula climbed the Padres’ farm system and got as high as Double-A before being claimed on waivers by the Giants after the 2013 season. In 2014, he logged 51 1/3 Triple-A innings with an ERA of 4.21. The Yankees signed him to a split contract for 2015, allowing De Paula to make his MLB debut that season. He appeared in one big league game, throwing 3 1/3 innings, allowing two hits and four walks but just one run. He also threw 27 2/3 innings in Triple-A that year with an ERA of 5.20.

De Paula spent the next few years pitching in the Dominican Winter League and Mexican League, largely producing solid but unspectacular results. Heading to Taiwan for the 2020 season allowed him to completely reinvent himself. He pitched in 27 games for the Brothers, 26 of them starts, throwing 174 1/3 innings with an ERA of 3.20, racking up 192 strikeouts against just 48 walks. Based on that excellent campaign, he was crowned the CPBL MVP for 2020. Returning to the Brothers for 2021, he took his game to an even higher level, throwing 178 innings with a miniscule ERA of 1.77, along with 187 strikeouts and 25 walks. That superb effort helped the Brothers win the CPBL championship and earned De Paula his second straight MVP honor.

In October of last year, De Paula was extended by the Brothers for the 2022 season, but has now been extended for yet another year, allowing him to stick with the club for two more seasons in what has been a remarkable second act to his career. The southpaw will turn 34 in March, meaning this contract will keep him with the Brothers through his age-35 season.

Minor League Notes: Space Cowboys, Hsin-Chieh Lin

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Let’s check in on the latest from the minor league landscape…

  • The Sugar Land Skeeters have completed their rebrand. The Astros’ Triple-A affiliate is now the Sugar Land Space Cowboys, with brand new duds and a new logo to boot. The Skeeters had played in the independent league from 2012 until 2019, with last season being their first season as an affiliated ballclub. In terms of the re-brand, the Space Cowboys struck a chord alluding to both their Texas roots and Houston’s NASA connection. “We really wanted an identity that reflected a connection to the Astros but stood out as unique and was aligned with the values of Sugar Land: vibrant, thriving, aggressive and a very family-oriented community that’s clearly focused on investing in the future,” said Anita Sehgal, SVP, marketing and communications at the Astros, per MLB.com’s Tyler Maun.
  • Phillies prospect Hsin-Chieh Lin plans to enter the 2022 draft for the Chinese Professional Baseball League, per the CPBL Stats Twitter account. Lin has pitched in the Phillies farm system since 2018. The right-hander pitched most of 2021 with Single-A Clearwater, tossing 20 innings with a 7.20ERA over four starts and four relief appearances. Lin was not considered to be a top prospect, and given that he is a native of Taiwan, it’s easy to understand a desire to make a run at the CPBL.

Recapping The CPBL’s International Player Signings

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Chinese Professional Baseball League teams are preparing for their spring camps, and the last several months have seen the CPBL’s five clubs adding some familiar foreign-born names to their rosters.  Under CPBL rules, teams are allowed to have a maximum of four international players on their active rosters, so with some teams opting to add a fifth or sixth player to keep in their minor leagues for replacement purposes.  However, replacing an international player isn’t as simple as a normal call-up — a foreign player must be released in order to be removed from a CPBL team’s active roster.

There isn’t an official limit on how many international-born players can be signed per team, so it is possible that more names could be added to this list in the coming days or weeks.  (The post will be updated to reflect such moves.)  Much thanks to the CPBL Stats website for their work in reporting on many of these signings.  Here’s the rundown…

CTBC Brothers
Jose De Paula, Shawn Morimando, Francisco Pena, Teddy Stankiewicz, Jose Valdez

Fubon Guardians
Xavier Batista, Yomar Flande Concepcion, Luis Escobar, Joe Van Meter

Rakuten Monkeys
Ryan Bollinger, Dylan Covey, Bradin Hagens, Henry Sosa

Uni-President Lions
Brock Dykxhoorn, Keury Mella, Logan Ondrusek, Wilin Rosario

Wei Chuan Dragons
Jake Brigham, Drew Gagnon, Telvin Nash, Ronny Rodriguez, Bryan Woodall

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