TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Saitama Seibu Lions (埼玉西武獅隊) announced their spring training roster on Friday (Jan. 23), including Taiwanese player Lin An-ke (林安可) on the first-team outfield list. Lin An-ke, who recently joined the Lions from the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL, 中華職棒), signed a 2+1 year contract with an estimated annual salary of US$1 million.
The Lions' first-team spring training roster includes 23 pitchers, four catchers, nine infielders, and 10 outfielders, with Lin An-ke sharing the outfield duties with Alexander Canario. Meanwhile, 23-year-old Taiwanese player Lin Kuan-chen (林冠臣) will train with the second team. Last season, Lin Kuan-chen played 37 games in NPB's second team league, achieving a .285 batting average with 37 hits, including one home run, and 16 Runs Batted In (RBI).
Lin An-ke, 28, began his professional career in 2019 with Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions (統一獅) after being the first overall draft pick. He quickly made his mark by clinching the home run, RBI, and Rookie of the Year titles the following year. Over his seven-year CPBL career, Lin An-ke amassed 112 home runs and 399 RBIs before opting for free agency to join Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).