Yang, who turned 31 on January, pitched 5 seasons in Japan for Fukuoka Softbank Hawks. He elected free agency after 2013 season because he hopes to play in the bigs.
The Taiwanese lefty had tryouts last month with big league clubs include the Pirates, Phillies, Rangers, Reds and Mariners. He was sitting between 91-93 MPH with his fastball during his workouts.
According to the report, Yang could be joining the Pirates on a minor league deal with an invite to spring training. The deal is expected to become official next week.
[UPDATE: 2/13]
Wang Wanling of TSNA reported that Yang has arrived in the United States for physical.
Pirates Prospects has confirmed that the Pirates have reached an agreement with Yang on a minor league contract that includes an invitation to big league spring training.
The Pirates announce the signing of Yang.
Yao-Hsun Yang (陽耀勲)
Born: January 22, 1983
Bats: Left Throws: Left
Height: 5' 10" Weight: 192
Country: Taiwan
College: Chinese Culture University
Agent: SCOTT BORAS
A Daniel Schlereth-type pitcher.
Yang's fastball sits 90 MPH. He also throws curve, slider and splitter. (NPB Tracker has an awesome velocity chart)
Control of his pitches has been a big problem for Yang throughout his career. He tends to lose his pitches when runners are on bases. He missed most of 2013 with left arm injury and right thigh strain. His brother, Dai-Kang Yang is such a good athlete.
| Year | Age | Tm | Lg | W | L | G | GS | CG | SHO | IP | H | R | ER | HR | BB | IBB | SO | HBP | WP | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 23 | Softbank | JPPL | 0 | 0 | 9.00 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2.0 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3.000 | 18.0 | 0.0 | 9.0 | 4.5 | 0.50 |
| 2008 | 25 | Softbank | JPPL | 1 | 2 | 17.18 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3.2 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 2.182 | 12.3 | 0.0 | 7.4 | 7.4 | 1.00 |
| 2009 | 26 | Softbank | JPPL | 0 | 0 | 6.52 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9.2 | 12 | 10 | 7 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 1.862 | 11.2 | 0.0 | 5.6 | 9.3 | 1.67 |
| 2010 | 27 | Softbank | JPPL | 2 | 0 | 2.20 | 14 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 32.2 | 33 | 18 | 8 | 2 | 18 | 0 | 28 | 3 | 1 | 1.561 | 9.1 | 0.6 | 5.0 | 7.7 | 1.56 |
| 2012 | 29 | Softbank | JPPL | 2 | 3 | 1.48 | 9 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 42.2 | 24 | 10 | 7 | 1 | 18 | 0 | 45 | 4 | 1 | 0.984 | 5.1 | 0.2 | 3.8 | 9.5 | 2.50 |
| 5 Seasons | 5 | 5 | 3.08 | 38 | 12 | 1 | 1 | 90.2 | 78 | 47 | 31 | 3 | 47 | 0 | 87 | 13 | 2 | 1.379 | 7.7 | 0.3 | 4.7 | 8.6 | 1.85 | |||
