For years, MLB has benefited from talent in Japan’s league, Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).
Ichiro Suzuki, Hideki Matsui, Tadahito Iguchi, Kazuo Matsui, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Koji Uehara, and more recently Shohei Ohtani and Seiya Suzuki have brought their talents to America and helped their teams (and the league) in varying degrees.
There might be a new star in NPB looking to come to the United States and thrive: left fielder Masataka Yoshida.
“Sources: Masataka Yoshida, two-time batting champ in NPB, likely to be posted by Orix Buffaloes in the next 2 weeks. Details are still being discussed, but it’s becoming increasingly likely that Yoshida, a left fielder, will play next season in @MLB,” MLB insider Jon Morosi tweeted.
Sources: Masataka Yoshida, two-time batting champ in NPB, likely to be posted by Orix Buffaloes in the next 2 weeks. Details are still being discussed, but it’s becoming increasingly likely that Yoshida, a left fielder, will play next season in @MLB. 🇯🇵 @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) November 8, 2022
Yoshida is 29 years old, and has played for the Orix Buffaloes in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball since 2016.
He won Olympic Gold with Japan in 2020, too.
An Accomplished Performer In Japan
His list of accomplishments is impressive, and included two Pacific League batting championships (2020, 2021), four Pacific League Best Nine awards (2018-2021), four NPB All-Star berths (2018–2019, 2021, 2022), the 2018 Interleague play MVP, and a Home Run Derby win in 2021.
Yoshida has incredible knowledge of the strike zone, and it’s probably his best trait.
Last year, in 515 plate appearances, he hit 21 home runs, drove in 89 runs, and slashed .336/.449/.559 with a 1.007 OPS.
He took 82 walks and struck out just 42 times.
That’s certainly something that will entice MLB teams to bid on him.
In fact, there are already rumblings that the Yankees might be interested in him.
The Yankees are potential suitors for Masataka Yoshida, per @jonmorosi
The 29-year-old left fielder had a 1.007 OPS in 121 games in Japan this year pic.twitter.com/NrEjCE6MuR
— Talkin' Yanks (@TalkinYanks) November 8, 2022
After watching the Yankees play in the stretch run and the playoffs, it’s clear that they need a hitter like Yoshida: a high-contact, high-OBP machine capable of setting the tone for the power guys.
Who will win the Yoshida sweepstakes?
NEXT: Former Yankees OF Is Headed To Winter Ball