The CTBC Brothers of Taiwan’s Chinese Professional Baseball League are reportedly in talks with former big league pitcher Shawn Morimando (h/t to CPBL Stats). If a deal emerges, it will be Morimando’s third stint with the Brothers, having made appearances with the team during the 2021 and 2022 seasons.
Morimando, 30, was selected by the Guardians in the 19th round of the 2011 draft and would make his major league debut with the team during the 2016 season. However, he would be unable to secure a permanent role in Cleveland’s bullpen, instead spending the 2017 season with their Triple-A affiliate in Columbus before being released mid-way through the 2018 season, eventually joining Toronto on a minor league deal. The lefty would spend the rest of the 2018 season and the entirety of the 2019 season with Toronto’s Triple-A team in Buffalo before spending the 2020 season in Australia.
Following the conclusion of the 2020 season, Morimando would return state-side, signing a minor league deal with the Marlins in February 2021 and eventually earning a promotion to the big league club in May — his first appearance at the Major League level since 2016. However, he struggled to a 9.58 ERA over 10 1/3 innings (four appearances) and was outrighted several times over the season before being released in late September. Morimando would spend the remainder of 2021 with the CTBC Brothers, and re-signed with the club following the conclusion of the season.
The southpaw had a strong start in his second season with the Brothers, pitching to a 2.56 ERA in 91 1/3 innings (14 starts) with an 89:29 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Nevertheless, the club released Morimando in July to allow him to pursue an opportunity in South Korea with the SSG Landers. After joining the Landers, Morimando continued his strong 2022 form, pitching 75 1/3 innings of 1.67 ERA baseball, albeit with a poorer 67:23 strikeout-to-walk ratio.
Despite having played in parts of 12 seasons of affiliate baseball, Morimando has only recently turned 30 and could eventually look for a return to the affiliated ranks if he performs well in the CPBL. For now, Morimando will likely slot into the starting rotation of a Brothers’ team fresh off their second consecutive league victory.
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