Yi-Jie Hsiao

From BR Bullpen

Yi-Jie Hsiao (Ikketsu Sho in Japan) (蕭一傑)

Bats Right, Throws Right
Height 5' 11", Weight 190 lb.

School Nara Sangyo University

Born January 2, 1986 in Pingtung County Taiwan

Yi-Jie Hsiao was a first-round draft pick in Japan in 2008. He is the cousin of Po-Ting Hsiao.

Hsiao pitched for his native Taiwan in the 2001 World Youth Championship. He came to Japan at age 16 after seeing the Koshien Tournament on TV and helped his new high school play at Koshien a couple times. Continuing in Japan for college, he allowed no runs in 34 innings as a senior. The Hanshin Tigers picked him in the first round of the 2008 draft. He signed for a 90 million yen bonus (almost $1 million), the largest bonus for a Taiwan native since Ching-Lung Lo and Chih-Chia Chang.

Hsiao is on Taiwan's preliminary roster for the 2009 World Baseball Classic.

Hsiao throws a curveball, slider, forkball and fastball (peak time of 92 mph).