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Ferry Iilang – Starting Pitcher – Kuala Lumpur Leopards – 72.8% First Ballot

Ferry Iilang was a 5’9’’, 180 pound left-handed pitcher from the capital of Indonesia, Jakarta. Iilang wasn’t exceptional at any one thing, but he was reliably above average-to-good for stuff, movement, and control. His velocity peaked in the 94-96 mph range with an arsenal of fastball, curveball, changeup, and circle change. Iilang’s curveball was generally his most dynamic pitch for drawing whiffs and weak grounders.

Iilang’s stamina was fairly average as APB aces go. He had a 17-year career and had some injuries in his 30s, but he generally avoided big ailments earlier in his career. Iilang had good grades for holding runners and defense. Perhaps Iilang’s biggest strength was his character, as he was a team captain with high marks for leadership and work ethic.

He got plenty of attention playing collegiately in Jakarta and was picked sixth overall by Kuala Lumpur in the 2017 APB Draft. Iilang was used as a part-time starter as a rookie with lackluster results. He was a full-timer in 2019 with much better metrics, tying for the Sundaland Association lead for shutouts with five. One of them was a no-hitter on June 15 with nine strikeouts and a walk against Pekanbaru.

Iilang was back to only a part-time role in 2020, but he became a full-time starter after that for the rest of his run with Kuala Lumpur. 2022 was his only time leading a major stat with the most wins (20) and quality starts (30). In 2021, he had his second no-hitter with 11 Ks and two walks facing Batam on September 26. Iilang had generally steady production with the Leopards, but was never a Pitcher of the Year finalist.

Kuala Lumpur was stick in the middle-tier during Iilang’s run. They were rarely outright bad, averaging 79.4 wins per season in his tenure. However, they made the playoffs only once in 2021, losing in the Sundaland Association Championship to Palembang. Iilang took the loss in his one start but didn’t get support, allowing three runs (one earned) over seven innings.

He did also play for his native Indonesia in the 2022-23 World Baseball Championship with a 4-0 record, 2.54 ERA, 39 innings, 38 Ks, and 0.7 WAR. The Indonesians notably were a playoff team both of those years, but failed to advance to the final four.

Kuala Lumpur gave Iilang a five-year, $40,460,000 extension after the 2022 season. They let him go to free agency once that was up after the 2027 campaign. Iilang finished with a 130-104 record, 2.21 ERA, 2194.1 innings, 2296 strikeouts, 436 walks, 114 ERA+, 88 FIP-, and 40.4 WAR. The Leopards organization appreciated his efforts enough to retire his #22 uniform at the end of his career.

Coming up on age 32, Iilang signed in 2028 to a three-year, $18,500,000 deal with Surabaya. His 2028 effort saw his career best WAR of 6.2 and a 1.64 ERA, behind only his 1.61 from 2025 with KL. Like with the Leopards, the Sunbirds were stuck in the middle-tier during Iilang’s tenure. He ended up with a 37-26 record, 2.03 ERA, 641.1 innings, 641 Ks, 118 ERA+, 86 FIP-, and 12.0 WAR over two-and-a-half seasons.

Iilang got off to a weaker start in 2030 and Surabaya traded him in July to Pekanbaru for three prospects. He was excellent in the final stretch for the Palms with a 1.11 ERA and 3.1 WAR over 130 innings. Pekanbaru won the Malacca League by one game at 95-67 and took Jakarta to the limit, but fell 4-3 in the association championship. Iilang notably had an impressive playoff run, allowing one run over 17.2 innings with 17 Ks.

That finish did boost his stock up a bit as a 35-year old free agent for 2031, signing a four-year, $28,700,000 deal with Makassar. The Maroon Giants were one of the 2029 expansion franchises and were terrible in their first decade. A hamstring strain limited Iilang in 2031 and he was traded in mid-2032, finishing the Makassar tenure with an 8-13 record, 2.76 ERA, 195.1 innings, 185 Ks, 102 ERA+, 83 FIP-, and 3.9 WAR.

He was sent in June 2032 to Depok for two infielders, one veteran and one prospect. Forearm inflammation would knock Iilang out in the final months, missing the playoff run. The Demons notably ended a 31-year playoff drought, but dropped the association finals to Bandung. Iilang had merely okay production in 2033 and missed the final months to an elbow strain. With Depok, he had a 13-9 record, 2.84 ERA, 205.2 innings, 200 Ks, 98 ERA+, 93 FIP-, and 3.3 WAR.

Now 38, Iilang went to Semarang in 2034 but saw limited use, struggling to -0.4 WAR over 27 innings. He did pitch two scoreless innings in the playoffs, but the Sliders lost in the first round. Iilang went back to Pekanbaru in 2035 and had 0.5 WAR and a 1.63 ERA over 49.2 innings. An elbow strain limited him in the summer, but he was not viewed as more than filler by this point. Iilang retireed in the winter at age 39.

Iilang finished with a 203-158 record, 2.21 ERA, 3443.1 innings, 3506 strikeouts, 671 walks, 329/439 quality starts, 111 complete games, 40 shutouts, 115 ERA+, 88 FIP-, and 62.8 WAR. He ranks 30^th in wins, 32^nd in innings, 47^th in strikeouts, 92^nd in complete games, 44^th in shutouts, and 72^nd in pitching WAR. Iilang’s ERA is 96^th among all pitchers with 1000+ innings.

In the hyper-low scoring world of Austronesia Professional Baseball, the Hall of Fame voters are generally favorable to pitchers. Iilang had tenure with 200+ wins and 3500+ strikeouts, but his metrics were definitely on the lower end compared to previous inductees. He also had the misfortune of being on mostly middling teams, limited black ink, and never was a Pitcher of the Year finalist. Still, Iilang’s role as a captain and clubhouse guy went a long way along with his accumulations. He received 72.8% in 2041, enough for the first ballot nod as part of a three-pitcher class.



Patrick Chen – Starting Pitcher – Cebu Crows – 71.9% Third Ballot

Patrick Chen was a 6’0’’, 205 pound right-handed pitcher from Pacet, Indonesia; a sub-district of Bandung with around 328,000 people. Chen had strong overpowering stuff along with rock solid movement and control. He had only two pitches; a 98-100 mph fastball and a slider. Both were equally potent and looked the same coming out of Chen’s hand to the frustration of batters.

Chen also had pretty good stamina, allowing him to be a starter unlike most guys with only two pitches. He did struggle at holding runners and defense. His durability was strong in his 20s, although one big injury in his 30s helped hasten the end of his career. Chen was a known prankster in the clubhouse, often providing needed levity.

In June 2017, Chen left Indonesia for the Philippines on a developmental deal with Cebu. Because of having only two pitches, the Crows initially viewed him as a relief prospect. Chen debuted in middle relief in 2022, then was the closer in 2023. He thrived in the role with a 0.86 ERA over 94 innings, 146 strikeouts, 4.9 WAR, and a Taiwan-Philippine Association best 45 saves. Chen finished second in Reliever of the Year voting.

Chen was convinced he could be a starter and lobbied hard for it. The coaches moved him into the rotation in 2024 and he posted a 1.79 ERA over 231.2 innings, 295 Ks, 54 FIP-, and 8.1 WAR. Chen took third in Pitcher of the Year voting. He was still used in a split starter/relief role after that and had some inconsistencies over the next few years. But his flexibility proved useful as the Crows began a dynasty run.

Cebu finished 105-57 in 2025 to end a 12-year playoff drought. They defeated Hsinchu 4-1 to win the TPA pennant, but lost a 4-3 classic in the Austronesia Championship against Jakarta. Chen had six playoff appearances, getting three wins and three saves with a 1.50 ERA and 20 Ks over 12 innings.

In August 2026, the Crows gave Chen a seven-year, $72,600,000 extension. Cebu only narrowly won a weak Philippine League in 2026 at 85-77. However, the Crows upset Kaohsiung with a sweep in the association finals, then rolled 4-1 over Johor Bahru to win their first APB title since 1991.

Chen was big in relief in the playoffs, allowing one run with five saves over 11.1 innings with 19 Ks. In the Baseball Grand Championship, he made four starts with a 3.08 ERA over 26.1 innings, 39 Ks, 119 ERA+, 51 FIP-, and 1.1 WAR. Cebu struggled to 7-12 in the event.

In 2027, the Crows finished 100-62 and bested the Sweathogs for a third consecutive Taiwan-Philippine Association title. They were denied the Austronesia Championship repeat in another 4-3 classic with Jakarta. Chen tossed 5.1 scoreless innings in the playoff run.

Cebu four-peated as TPA champ in 2028 over Tainan, then defeated Johor Bahru 4-2 for their second APB title of the run. Chen pitched 14 innings in the playoffs with a 0.64 ERA, four saves, and 22 strikeouts. He was less successful in the BGC with a 4.32 ERA over 8.1 innings. The Crows finished 8-11 in the event. Cebu’s playoff streak continued in 2029, but they were a wild card with a divisional round loss.

Chen’s excellent playoff stats played a big role in their four pennants and two APB titles. Over 48.2 innings and 27 relief appearances, he had a 0.74 ERA, 85 strikeouts, 8-2 record, 15 saves, 383 ERA+, 29 FIP-, and 2.7 WAR. It was the biggest factor in Chen’s #29 uniform eventually getting retired by the club. However, Chen and many fans were surprised when he was traded after the 2029 season to Taichung for C Qamarul Tasman and SP Chia-Hen Han. Both would go onto be decent starts for the Crows.

With Cebu, Chen finished with an 84-72 record, 115 saves, 2.39 ERA, 1395.2 innings, 1818 strikeouts, 235 walks, 105/140 quality starts, 43 complete games, 11 shutouts, 118 ERA+, 66 FIP-, and 39.8 WAR. He was now off to Taiwan after playing previously in the Philippines. However, Chen still was a regular all the while for his native Indonesia in the World Baseball Championship.

Chen occasionally started, but was primarily a reliever in the WBC from 2023-37 for Indonesia. He pitched 129.2 innings with a 13-3 record, 17 saves, 2.22 ERA, 201 strikeouts, and 4.4 WAR. Indonesia was a playoff regular, but only got to the final four once with Chen, taking fourth in 2029.

In his Taichung debut in 2030, Chen won his lone Pitcher of the Year, leading with career bests for WAR (10.4) and wins (22-8). He also had his best ERA as a starter (1.76) and matched his high for strikeouts from the prior year at 315. The Toucans won the Taiwan League, but got upset in the divisional round 3-1 by Manila. Chen lost his one start, giving up five runs over seven innings.

That hurt his career playoff stats, but the Cebu dominance gave him final tallies of a 1.46 ERA over 55.2 innings, 94 Ks, 192 ERA+, 31 FIP-, and 3.0 WAR. Chen is 3^rd in playoff saves in APB and his .378 opponents’ OPS is 8^th among those with 30+ playoff innings. Little did he know, this was his final playoff start of his career. Taichung was above .500 the next two years but outside the playoffs, then dropped with three losing seasons after that.

Chen never reached his 2030 dominance, but he was still a strong starter in 2031-32 before falling to below average results in 2031. For Taichung, Chen had a 70-43 record, 2.73 ERA, 1048.2 innings, 1099 strikeouts, 57 complete games, 10 shutouts, 116 ERA+, 80 FIP-, and 24.2 WAR. Unlike with Cebu, the Toucans viewed Chen just as a starter with only the rare use out of the bullpen expected of APB starters.

Now 32-years old, Chen was a free agent for the first time and opened up a global search. He was insistent on being a starter, which scared away some suitors who felt a two-pitch guy had to be a reliever. Chen ended up in Italy on a one-year, $4,600,000 with EBF’s Naples Nobles. He was a full-time starter, but had subpar results with a 4.60 ERA over 201.1 innings, 13-8 record, 204 strikeouts, and 3.4 WAR. Chen’s 82 ERA+, but 90 FIP- suggested he might have had some bad luck.

Chen stayed in Europe in 2035 with Cologne, posting a 10-5 record, 3.57 ERA, 148.2 innings, 120 Ks, 107 ERA+, 103 FIP-, and 1.7 WAR. Unfortunately in mid-July, Chen suffered a torn flexor tendon that put his future in doubt. Milan gave him a chance in 2036 and he had decent results in a split role with a 9-10 record, 3.71 ERA, 162.1 innings, 151 strikeouts, 104 ERA+, 104 FIP-, and 1.3 WAR.

Now 35, Chen went to Major League Baseball and Phoenix. The Firebirds used him in long relief exclusively with 22 appearances, 66 innings, a 4.09 ERA, 47 Ks, 109 ERA+, and 0.4 WAR. Chen went back to EBF in 2037 with Manchester, but struggled to a 6.58 ERA over 26 innings and -0.1 WAR.

He retired that winter at age 37, finishing his EBF tenure with a 32-23 record, 4.15 ERA, 538.1 innings, 495 Ks, 93 ERA+, 99 FIP-, and 6.3 WAR. Chen’s combined pro career had a 187-138 record, 120 saves, 2.85 ERA, 3048.2 innings, 3459 strikeouts, 563 walks, 232/336 quality starts, 107 complete games, 25 shutouts, 112 ERA+, 77 FIP-, and 70.8 WAR.

Just in Austronesia Professional Baseball, Chen had a 154-115 record, 116 saves, 2.54 ERA, 2444.1 innings, 2917 strikeouts, 439 walks, 195/267 quality starts, 100 complete games, 21 shutouts, 117 ERA+, 72 FIP-, and 64.0 WAR. Chen is 68^th in pitching WAR, but outside of the top 100 in all of the counting stats and the rate stats.

This made Chen’s Hall of Fame case a tricky one, as many voters felt he simply didn’t reach the tallies needed for a starter. His split role and final few years in Europe kept the inning count low. Working in Chen’s favor was a Pitcher of the Year award along with excellent playoff numbers as part of Cebu’s dynasty. He barely missed the 66% induction threshold in his first two ballots at 64.6% and 64.8%, respectively. Chen didn’t need to win many over to get across the line and he got the bump to 71.9% in 2041 on his third try, capping off a three-pitcher class.