Chiang Chih-hsien (Chinese: 蔣智賢; pinyin: Jiǎng Zhìxián; born 21 February 1988) is a Taiwanese professional baseball third baseman for the Fubon Guardians of the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL). He has previously played in the CPBL for the Brother Elephants/Chinatrust Brother Elephants.

Chih-Hsien Chiang
Chiang with the Seattle Mariners in 2012
Fubon Guardians – No. 11
Third baseman
Born: (1988-02-21) 21 February 1988 (age 36)
Taitung County, Taiwan
Bats: Left
Throws: Right
CPBL debut
July 31, 2015, for the Brother Elephants
CPBL statistics
(through 2024 season)
Batting average.325
Home runs97
Runs batted in391
Teams

Career

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Boston Red Sox

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Chiang signed as an infielder for the Boston Red Sox organization in 2005. He was converted to the outfield after the 2008 season. He played for the Double A Portland Sea Dogs since 2010 and has a breakthrough year in 2011. Chiang was honored as Eastern League Player of the Month for June, and was selected to participate in both the Major League Baseball Futures Game and the Eastern League All-Star Game.[1]

Seattle Mariners

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On 31 July 2011, Chiang was traded to the Seattle Mariners in a package deal for Érik Bédard. Chiang concluded his stats as a Sea Dog, hitting .340/.402/.648 with 18 homers, 37 doubles, 76 RBI, 25 walks, 61 strikeouts in 321 at-bats. He led the league in AVG, SLG, RBI, OPS, extra base hits at the time of trade. He collected back-to-back Eastern League player of the month for his monstrous July: .430/.500/.740, 16 doubles, 5 homers, 25 RBI.[2] Chiang played 40 games for the Tacoma Rainiers before being demoted to Double A Jackson Generals. On 12 June, 2012, Chiang was removed from the 40-man roster to make room for Óliver Pérez and designated for assignment.

Texas Rangers

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After the 2012 season, Chiang became a free agent[3] and signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers organization.[4] He became a free agent after the 2013 season.

Baltimore Orioles

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Chiang batting for the Baltimore Orioles in 2014 spring training

On 18 November 2013, Chiang signed a minor league contract with the Baltimore Orioles organization. He split the 2014 season between the Double–A Bowie Baysox and High–A Frederick Keys, playing in 90 total games and slashing .220/.278/.341 with seven home runs and 32 RBI.[5] Chiang became a free agent after the 2014 season.

Chinatrust Brothers

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On 24 July 2015, Chiang signed with the Chinatrust Brothers of the Chinese Professional Baseball League on a NT $12.42 million three–year contract. On 6 November 2017, Chiang was released by the Brothers.

Fubon Guardians

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On 15 January 2018, Chiang signed a one-year contract with the Fubon Guardians. Chiang was in the Opening Day lineup for the Guardians in 2021.

International career

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Chiang also played for the Chinese Taipei baseball team in the 2009 World Baseball Classic, 2013 exhibition games against Japan and 2017 World Baseball Classic.

References

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  1. ^ Chih-Hsien Chiang Honored as Eastern League Player of the Month for June minorleaguebaseball.com, July 6, 2011
  2. ^ Chiang Collects Back-to-Back Player of the Month Honors minorleaguebaseball.com, Aug 6, 2011
  3. ^ Stone, Larry. "A look at minor-league free agents -- Mariners' and otherwise". Retrieved 5 August 2013.
  4. ^ Fraley, Gerry. "Rangers add Taiwanese outfielder". Dallas Morning News. Archived from the original on 10 December 2012. Retrieved 5 August 2013.
  5. ^ "Chih-Hsien Chiang Stats & Scouting Report". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved October 18, 2024.
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