Dominican slugger Wilin Rosario has been enlisted by Tainan-based Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions for the 2022 season of the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL), the club announced Thursday.
The signing of the 32-year-old infielder comes one day after the Uni-Lions agreed on a deal to re-sign ace pitcher Brock Dykxhoorn.
Rosario played 447 games at first base and catcher for the Colorado Rockies in Major League Baseball (MLB), knocking out 413 hits, 71 home runs, and posting a .273 batting average from 2011-2015.
Rosario is expected to arrive in Taiwan mid-February in time for spring training.
In addition to the MLB, Rosario has also played in the Dominican Winter League, Korean Baseball Organization, Nippon Professional Baseball.
Rosario last played with Mexican League outfit Pericos de Puebla. After failing to make an appearance for the side in the season immediately following his signing in 2020 — which was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic — Rosario hit five home runs over 31 games before his release on July 13, 2021.
During his two seasons with the Hanwha Eagles of the KBO, Rosario thrived at the plate, becoming one of the most prolific hitters in the league with 309 hits, 70 home runs, and a .330 batting average over 246 games.
The Uni-Lions announced signing Rosario one day after they re-signed Canadian pitcher Brock Dykxhoorn. The right-hander dominated from the mound last season as he went 17-4 over 27 appearances, including 26 starts, posting a 1.83 ERA and 0.89 WHIP.
The Uni-Lions reached the 2021 Taiwan Series but went on to get swept 4-0 by the CTBC Brothers.
Meanwhile, the New Taipei-based Fubon Guardians, who play out of Xinzhuang Baseball Stadium, have signed former MLB pitcher Luis Escobar for the upcoming season, according to a club statement Thursday.
The 25-year-old right-hander Escobar made the show with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2019 after five years in the minor leagues. He has also played in the Venezuelan Winter League, Caribbean Series, Mexican League, and Mexican Pacific Winter League.
Escobar is expected to arrive in Taiwan in February.
Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel