Kuo Chun-lin (Chinese: 郭俊麟; pinyin: Guō Jùnlín; Japanese romaji:Kaku Shunrin; born 2 February 1992) is a Taiwanese professional baseball pitcher for the Uni-President Lions of the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL). He has previously played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Saitama Seibu Lions and in the CPBL for the Fubon Guardians. He attended the National Taiwan University of Physical Education and Sport.[1]

Kuo Chun-lin
Kuo pitching for the Chinese Taipei national team in 2015 WBSC Premier12 warm-up game
Uni-President Lions – No. 16
Pitcher
Born: (1992-02-02) 2 February 1992 (age 32)
Hsinchu, Taiwan
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Professional debut
NPB: March 29, 2015, for the Saitama Seibu Lions
CPBL: November 9, 2021, for the Fubon Guardians
NPB statistics
(through 2019 season)
Win–loss record5−11
Earned run average5.92
Strikeouts86
CPBL statistics
(through April 5, 2024)
Win–loss record6−14
Earned run average4.88
Strikeouts93
Teams
Medals
Representing  Chinese Taipei
Men's baseball
Asian Games
Silver medal – second place 2014 Incheon Team

Career

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Saitama Seibu Lions

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Kuo signed with the Lions after pitching for the Chinese Taipei national baseball team at the 2014 Asian Games, where he earned a silver medal. In November, Kuo won the final of the inaugural World Baseball Softball Confederation 21U Baseball World Cup by pitching a 9–0 shutout versus Japan.[2] Kuo made his NPB debut against the Orix Buffaloes on March 29, 2015, pitching five innings, giving up three runs and recording the win.[3][4] He finished the season with a 3–7 record and 5.31 ERA over 21 games, and resigned with the Lions on November 18, 2015, for a one-year contract worth at least ¥30 million.[5] Kuo was named to the Chinese Taipei national baseball team for the 2017 World Baseball Classic.[6] He returned to the Lions in the 2018 season.[7][8]

On December 2, 2019, Kuo became a free agent.[9]

Fubon Guardians

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On September 19, 2020, Kuo signed with the Fubon Guardians of the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL). At the time of his signing, Kuo was still recovering from Tommy John surgery.[10] He made his CPBL debut on November 9, 2021.

Uni-President Lions

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On November 28, 2023, Kuo was drafted by the TSG Hawks in the team's expansion draft.[11] However, on December 27, the Hawks traded Kuo to the Uni-President Lions in exchange for Chen-yen Chiang.[12]

References

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  1. ^ Huang, Paul (November 11, 2013). "Japan complete clean sweep in Challenge". Taipei Times. Retrieved August 30, 2015.
  2. ^ Lara-Cinisomo, Vince (November 25, 2014). "Host Taiwan Wins U21 Tournament". Baseball America. Retrieved March 29, 2015.
  3. ^ Yang, Ming-chu; Wu, Jeffrey (March 29, 2015). "Taiwan's Kuo Chun-lin overcomes rocky start to win Japan debut". Central News Agency. Retrieved March 29, 2015.
  4. ^ "Kuo earns first win in Japan as Lions sweep Buffaloes". Japan Times. March 29, 2015. Retrieved March 29, 2015.
  5. ^ "Lions re-sign Mejia, Kuo". Japan Times. Kyodo News. November 18, 2015. Archived from the original on November 19, 2015. Retrieved March 2, 2016. Alt URL
  6. ^ "Baseball: Hirano among 9 pitchers named to Japan's DP pool for WBC". The Mainichi. 7 February 2017. Retrieved 9 November 2017.
  7. ^ "Yurisbel Gracial grand slam moves Hawks closer to PL-leading Lions". Japan Times. Kyodo. 26 August 2018. Retrieved 22 September 2018.
  8. ^ "Ryosuke Hirata smacks go-ahead homer in seventh to lift Dragons past Carp". Japan Times. Kyodo. 15 September 2018. Retrieved 22 September 2018.
  9. ^ "2019年度 自由契約選手". NPB.jp 日本野球機構 (in Japanese). Retrieved December 22, 2019.
  10. ^ @GOCPBL (20 September 2020). "Fubon Guardians signed their 2020 2nd round pick 郭俊麟 (Kuo Chun-Lin) to a 1.5 year deal. Since Kuo is still recoveri…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  11. ^ "TSG Hawks Select 5 Players via 2023 Expansion Draft". cpblstats.com. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  12. ^ "TSG Hawks Trade Kuo Chun-Lin for Uni-Lions Chiang Chen-Yen". cpblstats.com. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
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