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A New Inning Off the Field: CTBC Brothers Scout Cheng Kai-Ying Carves Out a Fresh Home Plate in Life
"Being a scout is easy, right? Just sit back and watch baseball games all day?"
That’s one of the most common misconceptions about the job. Cheng Kai-Ying, a scout for the CTBC Brothers in Taiwan's CPBL (Chinese Professional Baseball League), is here to set the record straight. Born in 1995, Cheng devoted most of his youth to baseball and was once a shining star among Taiwan’s junior athletes. He represented the country in prestigious tournaments like the Little League World Series in Williamsport and the U-12 Softball World Cup. However, after going through a period of career uncertainty and emotional lows, a turning point came in 2019 when he transitioned into a scouting role — now dedicating himself to unearthing the next generation of Taiwanese baseball talent.
Scouting is a holistic task. Evaluations span physical build, technical ability, and off-the-field behavior. Scouts look at frame, athleticism, and muscle development, while tracking pitch velocity and movement for pitchers, or batting traits and reflexes for hitters. But Cheng says one of the most crucial parts happens beyond the game.“We also observe how a player reacts to wins and losses,.Sometimes what’s off the field says more than what happens on it.”.Once scouts identify potential prospects,they follow them more closely in the second half of the season,analyzing how those players might fit within a team’s culture and how to help them thrive.."
Can Scouts Be Replaced by Technology?
With the rise of sports analytics and AI, some wonder if scouting will be replaced by data-driven tools. Cheng says both methods coexist in modern baseball: “In pro leagues like MLB and NPB, there are two types of scouting — one based on human observation, and the other through data analysis. Machines can’t read body language or emotional reactions. A team will often use both and compare the results before making draft decisions.”
This blend of intuition and analytics underscores that a player’s path to being drafted isn’t just about flashy stats. Long-term consistency, character, and mental toughness play a critical role — qualities scouts like Cheng are trained to identify.
From Star Prospect to Scout — Finding New Purpose
Cheng was once a youth phenom, playing for LiSing Elementary School and Shi-Yuan Senior High School, riding high on promise and performance. But during high school, everything changed. Slumps became routine, and effort no longer translated into results.
Letting go doesn't mean giving up. Sometimes, it means taking a different route with greater potential. Cheng now actively shares his story with young players going through their own crossroads.
What Makes a Good Scout?
In Taiwan, scouting remains a niche career path, but Cheng offers three essential qualities for those who want to enter the field: Communication Skills – “You need the ability to persuade, explain, and connect with both players and decision-makers.” Language Ability – “Scouts often attend international events and interact with global talent, so English is a must.” Experience and Intuition – “The more games you watch, the more players you observe, the quicker you'll be able to judge talent. But even then, one game never tells the full story.”
For instance, if Cheng walks into a stadium where he knows none of the players, he’ll first assess their athleticism. “Give me two innings, and I’ll get a basic read,” he says. “But to truly judge a player’s full potential — especially their mindset and grit — that takes time.”
With resilience and self-awareness, Cheng Kai-Ying has not only carved out a second act in baseball but also become a bridge between talent and opportunity. As he helps usher in the next generation of athletes, he also stands as a role model for what it means to evolve with purpose — proving that success in sports isn’t limited to what happens on the field.
Source:::｜Off-Campus Sports DepartmentRoundtable Sports Talk EP16 (Live Interview, June 30, 2022)
Did you watch the Netflix hit "Hustle"? Curious how scouts find hidden gems? What defines a “good” player?
Photos: Courtesy of Cheng Kai-Ying
That’s one of the most common misconceptions about the job. Cheng Kai-Ying, a scout for the CTBC Brothers in Taiwan's CPBL (Chinese Professional Baseball League), is here to set the record straight. Born in 1995, Cheng devoted most of his youth to baseball and was once a shining star among Taiwan’s junior athletes. He represented the country in prestigious tournaments like the Little League World Series in Williamsport and the U-12 Softball World Cup. However, after going through a period of career uncertainty and emotional lows, a turning point came in 2019 when he transitioned into a scouting role — now dedicating himself to unearthing the next generation of Taiwanese baseball talent.
What Does a Baseball Scout Really Do?
"In simple terms, a scout’s job is to assess a player’s value,” Cheng explains. “But that value isn't something you can judge from a single game or season — it takes years of continuous observation." Scouts like Cheng travel all over Taiwan, attending everything from monthly tournaments to university league games. A typical year might involve watching over 100 games and evaluating around 2,000 players. Some scouts even keep an eye on elementary and middle school athletes. After a long day at the ballpark, the work doesn't stop — there are scouting reports to write and video footage to edit, all in order to track every aspect of a player's performance. Days routinely stretch beyond 10 hours, far from the "just watching games" myth.Scouting is a holistic task. Evaluations span physical build, technical ability, and off-the-field behavior. Scouts look at frame, athleticism, and muscle development, while tracking pitch velocity and movement for pitchers, or batting traits and reflexes for hitters. But Cheng says one of the most crucial parts happens beyond the game.“We also observe how a player reacts to wins and losses,.Sometimes what’s off the field says more than what happens on it.”.Once scouts identify potential prospects,they follow them more closely in the second half of the season,analyzing how those players might fit within a team’s culture and how to help them thrive.."
Can Scouts Be Replaced by Technology?
With the rise of sports analytics and AI, some wonder if scouting will be replaced by data-driven tools. Cheng says both methods coexist in modern baseball: “In pro leagues like MLB and NPB, there are two types of scouting — one based on human observation, and the other through data analysis. Machines can’t read body language or emotional reactions. A team will often use both and compare the results before making draft decisions.”
This blend of intuition and analytics underscores that a player’s path to being drafted isn’t just about flashy stats. Long-term consistency, character, and mental toughness play a critical role — qualities scouts like Cheng are trained to identify.
“In baseball, rough patches happen more often than people think,” Cheng says. “So I’ll ask players: What does baseball really mean to you? Can you still hold on when criticism and setbacks come?”
From Star Prospect to Scout — Finding New Purpose
Cheng was once a youth phenom, playing for LiSing Elementary School and Shi-Yuan Senior High School, riding high on promise and performance. But during high school, everything changed. Slumps became routine, and effort no longer translated into results.
“I tried everything and failed. That feeling of helplessness was brutal,” he recalls. “When I saw other players go through the same thing, I knew I wanted to help.”“I tried everything and failed. That feeling of helplessness was brutal,” he recalls. “When I saw other players go through the same thing, I knew I wanted to help.”.“I used to think, ‘I’m an athlete. I talk how I talk.’But to work with teachers and build respect, I had to refine my communication skills. That took about three to four years to really develop. But the decision to shift mindsets? That only took one night.”Cheng didn’t wallow in what could have been. He doubled down on his next chapter, even funding two trips to the U.S. minor leagues for firsthand experience and international perspective. Later, with a referral from CTBC Brothers scout Wang Kim-Yung, Cheng embraced yet another identity: professional scout.
Letting go doesn't mean giving up. Sometimes, it means taking a different route with greater potential. Cheng now actively shares his story with young players going through their own crossroads.
“Being a pro player isn’t the only version of success. When you're stuck, you can get overly attached to the idea of making it — but there comes a time to face the reality. If you pivot, you might discover something even better.”
What Makes a Good Scout?
In Taiwan, scouting remains a niche career path, but Cheng offers three essential qualities for those who want to enter the field: Communication Skills – “You need the ability to persuade, explain, and connect with both players and decision-makers.” Language Ability – “Scouts often attend international events and interact with global talent, so English is a must.” Experience and Intuition – “The more games you watch, the more players you observe, the quicker you'll be able to judge talent. But even then, one game never tells the full story.”
For instance, if Cheng walks into a stadium where he knows none of the players, he’ll first assess their athleticism. “Give me two innings, and I’ll get a basic read,” he says. “But to truly judge a player’s full potential — especially their mindset and grit — that takes time.”
With resilience and self-awareness, Cheng Kai-Ying has not only carved out a second act in baseball but also become a bridge between talent and opportunity. As he helps usher in the next generation of athletes, he also stands as a role model for what it means to evolve with purpose — proving that success in sports isn’t limited to what happens on the field.
Source:::｜Off-Campus Sports DepartmentRoundtable Sports Talk EP16 (Live Interview, June 30, 2022)
Did you watch the Netflix hit "Hustle"? Curious how scouts find hidden gems? What defines a “good” player?
Photos: Courtesy of Cheng Kai-Ying
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