MLB》How much deposit money can Fubon get? Zeng Junyue challenges the major leagues, US media analyzes prospects

Fubon hero Zeng Junyue. (File photo, taken by reporter Chen Zhiqu)

[Sports Center/Comprehensive Report] Zeng Junyue, the patron saint of Fubon Titans, officially applied for admission to the Major League Baseball, taking the first step in his journey to the United States. The negotiation period is from November 8 to December 22, U.S. time. During the 45 days, all major league teams can contact him. American media "MLB Trade Rumors" analyzed Zeng Junyue's future prospects.

The 25-year-old Zeng Junyue has played for the secondary Fubon Titans for 6 years. He has played 287 games in his career, with a record of 16 wins, 14 losses, 59 saves, 91 saves, an ERA of 1.94, a batting average of 1.96, and an on-base rate of 1.00 per inning. He is also a pitcher with excellent strikeout ability. Except for 2025, his strikeouts per nine innings (K/9) have reached double digits in every season, and his career average has reached 12.8 times.

The US media "MLB Trade Rumors" pointed out that Zeng Junyue is petite, with a height of 5 feet 8 inches (about 173 cm) and a weight of 149 pounds (about 67.6 kg), but he has shown quite amazing ball speed. According to the scouting report of "FanGraphs", his fastest fastball in the past reached 99 miles (about 159.3 kilometers). Due to the low release point, Zeng Junyue's fastball has a good trajectory and tail power, and is also paired with a Slurve.

US media also mentioned that Zeng Junyue suffered from a shoulder injury in 2024, and has been difficult to fully regain his past power in recent years. The speed of his fastball has recently dropped compared with the past, mainly falling around 95 miles, instead of the previous 97 to 99 miles.

US media also pointed out that if a major league team signs a mid-career player through the recruitment system, they must pay a recruitment fee based on the contract value. If it is a major league contract, for the first 25 million U.S. dollars of the total contract value, 20% of the total contract value will be the entrance fee. For the amount above 25 million U.S. dollars to 50 million U.S. dollars, 17.5% of the amount will be the entrance fee. For the amount above 50 million U.S. dollars, 15% will be the entrance fee. If it is only a minor league contract, the old team will receive 25% of the contract amount as the entrance fee, and the team cannot cancel after the application is made.

According to US media analysis, if Zeng Junyue does not sign with a major league team in the end, he may also transfer to Japan Professional Baseball to continue to accumulate experience and improve his strength. Judging from his age, even if he plays in Japan for a few seasons, he still has a chance to become a player favored by major league teams in the future, especially if he can regain his past ball speed, which will help increase his market value.