C. C. Lee

Lee Chen-ch'ang (Chinese: 李振昌; pinyin: Lǐ Zhènchāng; Wade–Giles: Li³ Chen⁴-Ch'ang¹; born 21 October 1986) is a Taiwanese professional baseball relief pitcher for the Chinatrust Brothers of the Chinese Professional Baseball League. He previously played for the Cleveland Indians of Major League Baseball. He has also played for the Saitama Seibu Lions of Nippon Professional Baseball. Lee throws from a sidearm slot, and his fastball sits at 92–94 MPH and max out at 97 MPH.[1]

Not to be confused with C. C. Li.
This is a Chinese name; the family name is Lee.
C. C. Lee
Lee pitching for the Cleveland Indians in 2013
Chinatrust Brothers – No. 34
Pitcher
Born: (1986-10-21) 21 October 1986
Penghu, Taiwan
Bats: Right Throws: Right
Professional debut
MLB: July 14, 2013, for the Cleveland Indians
NPB: March 26, 2016, for the Saitama Seibu Lions
MLB statistics
(through 2015 season)
Win–loss record1–1
Earned run average4.50
Strikeouts33
NPB statistics
(through 2016 season)
Win–loss record0–0
Earned run average6.48
Strikeouts13
Teams
Medals
Men's baseball
Representing  Chinese Taipei
Intercontinental Cup
2006 Taichung Team competition
Asian Games
2006 Doha Team competition
C. C. Lee
Traditional Chinese李振昌
Simplified Chinese李振昌

Career

Cleveland Indians
Lee pitching for the Cleveland Indians in 2012 spring training

Lee began playing baseball while a student at National Pingtung Senior High School.[2] He competed for the Chinese Taipei national baseball team in the 2008 Summer Olympics, and had a 2.00 earned run average (ERA) and 11 strikeouts in two appearances. After appearing in the Olympics, the Cleveland Indians signed him as a free agent.[3]

Lee pitching for the Cleveland Indians in 2012 spring training

After joining the Indians organization, Lee competed in the 2009 World Baseball Classic.[4] He began his stateside professional career with the Kinston Indians in 2009, finishing the year with a 4–6 win-loss record and a 3.35 ERA in 45 appearances. He spent 2010 with the Akron Aeros, and had a 4–5 record and a 3.22 ERA in 44 games. The following year, Lee split the season between the Aeros and Columbus Clippers. With the Clippers, he had a 4–0 record and a 2.21 ERA in 25 appearances.[5]

Lee pitching for the Cleveland Indians in 2012 spring training

After five games with the Clippers in 2012 and 19 in 2013, Lee was called up by the Cleveland Indians from their Triple-A affiliate Columbus Clippers on July 12, 2013, and became the tenth Taiwanese player to play in the MLB.[6] In his debut on July 14, Lee pitched 1.1 innings in relief of Ubaldo Jiménez, allowing no hits and 1 walk. He was optioned back to Columbus on July 23 and finished the season there, ending it with a 2.37 ERA.[5] Lee started the 2014 season in Columbus, but was brought up to the majors and had several stints with the Indians during the 2014 season.[7]

Saitama Seibu Lions

On November 20, 2015, the Indians sold Lee's contract to the Saitama Seibu Lions of Nippon Professional Baseball.[8]

On November 8, 2015, he became free agent.[9]

Colorado Rockies

After the 2016 season, he signed a minor league contract with the Colorado Rockies, that includes an invitation to 2017 spring training.[10]

Los Angeles Dodgers

He elected free agency on November 6, 2017 and signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. On June 1, 2018, Lee exercised an opt-out clause in his contract in order to return to his home country of Taiwan and declare himself eligible for the 2018 Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) draft.[11]

Chinatrust Brothers

Lee was selected first overall in the 2018 CPBL draft by the Chinatrust Brothers, and on July 10, 2018, signed to a 3.5 year deal with an annual salary of $248,000 USD plus $34,000 USD per season in incentives.[12]

International career
Lee pitching for the Cleveland Indians in 2013

He was selected for Chinese Taipei national baseball team at the 2006 Intercontinental Cup, 2006 Asian Games, 2008 Summer Olympics and 2009 World Baseball Classic.

See also

References
  1. Lastoria, Tony (July 18, 2013). "Getting to know your prospects: Chen-Chang Lee". FOX Sports Ohio. Retrieved September 7, 2014.
  2. Lin, Hon-hai (12 October 2013). "Strong motivation key to Taiwanese pitcher's MLB success". Central News Agency. Retrieved 12 October 2013. (subscription required)
  3. "Indians sign RHP Chen-Chang Lee to Minor League free agent contract". Indians.MLB.com. September 16, 2008. Retrieved September 7, 2014.
  4. Axisa, Mike (12 July 2013). "The Indians are calling up a pitcher named C.C. Lee – seriously". CBS Sports. Retrieved 12 October 2013.
  5. "C.C. Lee Minor League Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference, LLC. Retrieved September 7, 2014.
  6. Massie, Jim (July 12, 2013). "Tribe calls up Lee; options Salazar". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved July 12, 2013.
  7. "Indians recall RHP CC Lee from AAA Columbus". Indians.MLB.com. August 7, 2014. Retrieved September 7, 2014.
  8. "新外国人選手保有権譲渡合意のお知らせ". 埼玉西武ライオンズ オフィシャルサイト (in Japanese). November 21, 2015. Retrieved December 9, 2018.
  9. "自由契約選手". 日本野球機構公式サイト (in Japanese). November 8, 2016. Retrieved December 9, 2018.
  10. http://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/rockies-cc-lee-invited-to-rockies-camp/
  12. "2018 CPBL Draft Signing Tracker". July 10, 2018. Retrieved July 30, 2018.
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