The Chinese Professional Baseball League announced the award finalists for the 2026 season, setting up a high-stakes race for the Most Valuable Player, Rookie of the Year, and Most Improved Player awards. The winners will be revealed during the annual league ceremony on November 2 at the Taipei Marriott Hotel.
Fantasy & Market Impact
- Broadcasting & Ticketing Boom: Limited VIP ticket packages priced at NT$1,500 go on sale via ibon systems, signaling strong commercial engagement heading into the offseason gala.
The Battle of the Foreign Aces for the MVP Crown
The 2026 Most Valuable Player race features an all-import shortlist dominated by elite pitching and relentless offensive production. Yahoo運動 highlighted that Uni-President Lions starting pitcher Brock Dykxhoorn, Wei Chuan Dragons hurler John Gant, and TSG Hawks slugger Steven Moya comprise the final trio. Dykxhoorn logged a stellar 1.61 ERA across 150.2 innings while securing a 1.000 fielding percentage and the Pitcher Gold Glove award. Meanwhile, Gant dominated the mound with a 1.49 ERA, claiming the ERA title, strikeout crown, and Best Nine Pitcher honors.
On the offensive side, Moya carried the Hawks with a 2.94 batting average, 126 hits, 20 home runs, and 90 RBIs. That monstrous stat line captured the batting title, home run crown, and RBI title, alongside securing his third Best Designated Hitter award. The contrast between Dykxhoorn’s defensive wizardry, Gant’s dominant strikeout rate, and Moya’s offensive output leaves voters weighing three entirely different forms of diamond dominance.
| MVP Finalist | Team | Key Metrics & Awards |
|---|---|---|
| Brock Dykxhoorn | Uni-President Lions | 23 GS, 150.2 IP, 1.61 ERA, Gold Glove |
| John Gant | Wei Chuan Dragons | 21 GS, 133.1 IP, 1.49 ERA, Strikeout Leader |
| Steven Moya | TSG Hawks | 116 G, 20 HR, 90 RBI, Batting Leader |
Closer Dominance Shapes the Rookie of the Year Race
The race for the annual Rookie of the Year award places heavy emphasis on late-game execution and high-leverage bullpen stability. NOWnews今日新聞 outlined the full broadcast details for the upcoming November 2 gala, where the rookie battle between Zhong Yun-Hua, Wu Li-Chen, and Li Xin-Ying will finally be decided. Zhong enters as the clear frontrunner after stepping into the Lions’ closer role and converting 33 save opportunities.
Zhong’s campaign featured 52 appearances totaling 50.2 innings with a 2.66 ERA and 45 strikeouts. Challenging him are CTBC Brothers pitcher Wu Li-Chen—who transitioned smoothly from middle relief to make 12 starts—and Hawks reliever Li Xin-Ying, who locked down 11 holds and a 2.70 ERA over 32 appearances.
Breakout Campaigns Highlight the Most Improved Nominees
The Most Improved Player category showcases athletes who expanded their workloads and unlocked new performance plateaus. Fubon Guardians pitcher Lee Tung-Ming increased his workload from 75.2 innings last year to 110.1 frames, compiling a 10-4 record, a 2.53 ERA, and a streak of 10 wins as a starter. Rakuten Monkeys infielder Ma Jisen notched personal milestones with 115 games played, a .280 batting average, and an improved OPS+ of 109 on his way to a monthly MVP nod.
Teammate Tseng Chia-Hui rounds out the trio after converting his early-career bullpen experience into a reliable 22-start rotation workload. Tseng tossed 120.2 innings, registering a 7-2 record and a 2.69 ERA. With the November 2 ceremony approaching at the Taipei Marriott Hotel—and VIP ticket packages slated for distribution via ibon systems—the league prepares to officially coronate the athletes who defined the 2026 campaign.
