Fu-Te Ni

In this Chinese name, the family name is Ni .

Fu-Te Ni (born 14 November 1982), nicknamed "Tudigong", is a former Taiwanese professional baseball pitcher for the CTBC Brothers of the Chinese Professional Baseball League. ^{[1] [2]} Ni was a professional baseball player from Taiwan's Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL). After his franchise, the Chinatrust Whales, disbanded on November 11, 2008, he signed a minor league contract with the Detroit Tigers in 2009. He has also previously played for the Fubon Guardians of the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL). He is currently the pitching coach for ANYO Fresh, an amateur team in Taiwan. ^[3]

Ni was called up to the Major Leagues in June 2009, becoming the sixth Taiwanese player to enter Major League Baseball. He is also the first player to transition from the CPBL to MLB. Ni made his major league debut on June 29, 2009, against the Oakland Athletics.

Career

Chinatrust Whales

Ni was drafted by the CPBL team Chinatrust Whales in 2005. He signed with the team in early 2007 and played for the entire CPBL 2007 and 2008 seasons. In the two years Ni had a 12–24 record with seven holds, four saves and a 3.43 ERA in 267+2⁄3 inning pitched. Ni won the CPBL strikeout Champion Award in 2008 season with 132 strikeouts.

Detroit Tigers

Ni with the Detroit Tigers in 2009

Ni signed as a free agent with the Detroit Tigers on January 13, 2009. He was assigned to the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens of the International League. In 24 games with the Mud Hens, Ni went 3–0 with a 2.60 ERA, and 32 strikeouts. Ni was called up on June 28, 2009, to replace the injured Nate Robertson. ^{[4] [5]} Ni is the sixth Taiwanese player to enter Major League Baseball, and the fourth pitcher. ^[6] He made his debut on June 29, 2009, against the Oakland Athletics, allowing one run in 1.2 innings with 3 strikeouts. The first major league batter he faced was slugger Jason Giambi, and Ni struck him out. Ni pitched 36 games with the Tigers in 2009 and compiled no wins or losses with a 2.61 ERA and 21 strikeouts.

Ni with the Detroit Tigers in 2010

After accumulating a 6.65 ERA in 2010, Ni was optioned to the back to the Mud Hens on June 30, 2010. ^[7]

In February 2011 the Tigers listed him as a non-roster invitee to spring training camp. ^[8] On March 22, he was assigned to the Mud Hens. ^[9] He was 6–3 with a 3.24 ERA in 34 games (including 12 starts). Ni was released by the Tigers on August 7, 2012, after he was 2–2 with a 4.56 ERA in 7 games (5 starts) during the 2012 season.

Los Angeles Dodgers

After not playing during the 2013 season, Ni was signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers to a minor league contract on December 13, 2013. However, he was released on March 31, 2014.

Lancaster Barnstomers

On April 30, 2014, Ni signed with the Lancaster Barnstormers of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. In 24 games 22 innings of relief he struggled immensely going 0-1 with a 6.14 ERA with 25 strikeouts.

Camden Riversharks

On July 10, 2014, Ni was traded to the Camden Riversharks of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. He was released on September 8. In 11 starts 61 innings he went 2-5 with a 4.72 ERA with 58 strikeouts and throwing 1 complete game.

On January 28, 2015, Ni re-signed with the Riversharks for the 2015 season. He was released on May 31. In 7 starts 40 innings he went 2-1 with a 3.38 ERA 30 strikeouts.

Fubon Guardians

On June 30, 2015, Ni signed with the Fubon Guardians of the Chinese Professional Baseball League. After the 2020 season he elected free agency.

CTBC Brothers

Ni signed a one month contract with the CTBC Brothers of the Chinese Professional Baseball League for the 2021 season. After failing to secure a contract extension, he left the team on May 24, 2021. ^[10]

International career

Ni in 2015

Ni selected Chinese Taipei national baseball team at the 2008 Olympics, 2009 World Baseball Classic, 2013 exhibition games against Japan, 2015 WBSC Premier12, 2016 exhibition game against Japan and 2017 World Baseball Classic.

Coaching career

Ni became the pitching coach for the amateur Popcorn League team ANYO Fresh on November 11, 2021. ^[3]

See also

• List of Major League Baseball players from Taiwan

References

1. Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "Fu-Te Ni". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on December 14, 2012. Retrieved July 18, 2012.
2. "Amazing Mandarin nicknames for MLB players". MLB.com. Retrieved March 20, 2022.
3. 自由時報電子報 (November 29, 2021). "棒球》離開中職！「土地公」倪福德接安永鮮物投手教練 - 自由體育". 自由時報電子報. Retrieved December 29, 2022.
4. "Tigers place Robertson on 15-day DL". MLB.com . June 28, 2009. Archived from the original on June 30, 2009. Retrieved June 28, 2009.
5. "Tigers put LHP Nate Robertson on disabled list". USA Today . June 28, 2009. Retrieved June 28, 2009.
6. "Local pitcher closes on major-league debut". Government Information Office, Republic of China (Taiwan). June 29, 2009. Retrieved July 5, 2009.^{[ dead link ]}
7. Tigers option reliever Ni to Triple-A MLB.com June 30, 2010
8. 2011 Tigers spring training roster
9. "Tigers add six to roster, outright Ni to Triple-A". MLB.com. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
10. "沒通過中信兄弟測試 倪福德退休差點去賣咖啡 | ETtoday運動雲 | ETtoday新聞雲". sports.ettoday.net (in Traditional Chinese). Retrieved December 29, 2022.

External links

• Career statistics and player information from MLB, or  ESPN, or  Baseball Reference, or  Fangraphs, or  Baseball Reference (Minors), or Fu-Te Ni's online Album.

Fu-Te Ni
Ni with the Detroit Tigers in 2010
ANYO Fresh – No. 36
Pitching coach
Born: (1982-11-14) 14 November 1982 (age 41) Pingtung County, Taiwan
Batted: Left Threw: Left
Professional debut
CPBL: March 18, 2007, for the Chinatrust Whales
MLB: June 29, 2009, for the Detroit Tigers
Last appearance
MLB: June 29, 2010, for the Detroit Tigers
CPBL: May 22, 2021, for the CTBC Brothers

Preceded by Joey Dawley	CPBL Strikeout Champion Award 2008	Succeeded by Itsuki Shoda