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Chinese Taipei made history on Thursday with a combined perfect game at the Little League World Series. The impressive performance rode on the back of a 12-year-old superstar that viewers are now dubbing, “Baby Ohtani.”
That comparison comes from the youngster’s ability to both throw gas on the mound and drop bombs at the plate. He also dons No. 17 across the back of his jersey. The Little Leaguer has quickly gone viral on social media.
Fan Chen-Jun toed the rubber for Taiwan in its most recent matchup against Canada, and he absolutely showed out. The flame thrower topped out at 81 MPH on the mound, the MLB equivalent of a 110 MPH heater.
Taiwan’s Fan Chen-Jun threw an immaculate inning in the Little League World Series on Thursday, topping out at 81 mph from 46-feet.
That’s the MLB equivalent of 110-113 mph from that distance 🔥
🎥 @LittleLeague pic.twitter.com/uEJTxSTWg0
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) August 18, 2023
Within that impressive appearance, Chen-Jun completed an immaculate inning. The righty tossed nine straight strikes to sit down three batters consecutively.
That perfect inning was part of a perfect game as multiple pitchers combined to sit down 18 hitters in a row in the 6-0 win. It was the first perfect game thrown in the Little League World Series since 2017.
Chinese Taipei’s combined perfect game is the first at the #LLWS since 2017! pic.twitter.com/MznfDkPR0e
— Little League (@LittleLeague) August 17, 2023
But the pitching wasn’t the only side making headlines. Fan Chen-Jun wowed fans with his power, too. With two outs in the top of third inning, the slugger lined an absolute rope down the left field line. The bullet would get out of the park in a hurry, resulting in a quick two-run homer to add to his team’s lead.
The performance quickly sparked a reaction on social media.
Fan Chen-Jun is Baby Ohtani
Throwing 80 MPH, hitting rocket homers and wearing #17 pic.twitter.com/8ijskf9Jxv
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) August 17, 2023
Chinese Taipei pitcher Fan Chen-Jun throwing gas up to 80 mph with a 71 mph slider against Canada at the LLWS. pic.twitter.com/kJA3VWVcQD
— Prospect Dugout (@prospectdugout) August 17, 2023
12-year-old Fan Chen-Jun throwing 81 MPH in LLWS 🔥
(via @PitchingNinja) pic.twitter.com/VeDTWCyLSL
— Baseball Bros (@BaseballBros) August 17, 2023
So the lad throwing gas is Fan Chen-Jun and he also just hit a 2 run bomb pic.twitter.com/G3QQK2wV99
— CJ Fogler account may or may not be notable (@cjzero) August 17, 2023
What a night for both Chen-Jun and the Chinese Taipei team.