Opening Day is just 18 days away! With MLB still trying to figure out a CBA with the owners, it is kind of nice to think that perhaps more baseball fans will be trying to get to know NPB a little better this spring. With that in mind and thinking of Seiya Suzuki (Hiroshima Carp) having his MLB debut delayed, I thought it would be interesting to introduce one or two players from each team who have the skills (and/or the desire) to play in North America eventually. Eligible season refers to the earliest that the player could suit up for an MLB team, as long as injuries and deactivations are avoided between now and then. Also, keep in mind that some players are successful in their requests to be posted prematurely. You can expect that in most cases, it will be a year or two before they are eligible to become international free agents.
#55 Munetaka Murakami, Yakult Swallows (22, 3B): Represented Japan at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, already has 104 career home runs. Eligible in: 2028
#11 Yasunobu Okugawa, Yakult Swallows (20, RHP): Pinpoint control, playoff MVP in 2021. Eligible in: 2031
#8 Teruaki Sato, Hanshin Tigers (23, 3B/OF): Set club rookie record with 24 home runs in 2021. Eligible in: 2030
#25 Kazuma Okamoto, Yomiuri Giants (27, 3B): Has hit 30+ home runs in four straight seasons. Eligible in: 2027
#49 Thyago Vieira, Yomiuri Giants (29, RHP): NPB fastest pitch record holder at 166 km/h (103 mph); has 10.46 K/9 in NPB career. Eligible in: 2023
#18 Masato Morishita, Hiroshima Carp (24, RHP): Represented Japan at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, won Rookie of the Year in 2020; career 2.52 ERA. Eligible in: 2029
#20 Ryoji Kuribayashi, Hiroshima Carp (25, RHP): Represented Japan at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, won Rookie of the Year in 2021. Eligible in: 2030
#17 Yuya Yanagi, Chunichi Dragons (27, RHP): Topped CL in strikeouts, ERA, named top CL pitcher in 2021. Eligible in: 2028
#21 Shota Imanaga, Yokohama Baystars (28, LHP): Strikes out a batter per inning, sub-3.25 ERA in five of six seasons. Eligible in: 2026
#7 Masataka Yoshida, Orix Buffaloes (28, OF): Career average of .326 with roughly 20 HRs per season; only 55 strikeouts in his last 947 plate appearances. Eligible in: 2026
#18 Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Orix Buffaloes (23, RHP): Sawamura Award winner in 2021, career 2.05 ERA and over one strikeout per inning. Eligible in: 2028
#17 Roki Sasaki, Chiba Lotte Marines (20, RHP): Already throwing 101 mph this spring; has had MLB scouts’ attention since high school. Eligible in: 2031
#1 Yuki Matsui, Rakuten Eagles (26, LHP): Outstanding in even-numbered years (ERA of 0.87, 1.20, 1.94, 0.63 in evens, 3.80, 3.32, 3.65, 3.18 in odd years). Career 11.52 K/9, Already has 165 career saves. Eligible in: 2024
#18 Masahiro Tanaka, Rakuten Eagles (33, RHP): The former Yankee dropped a 3.01 ERA with a 1.03 WHIP in his return to Japan in 2021. Eligible in: 2023
#41 Kodai Senga, SoftBank Hawks (29, RHP): Represented Japan at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, has won 10+ in each of the last six seasons, sported a sub-2.80 ERA in five of six, and has struck out 10.3 per 9 innings of work since 2016. Eligible in: 2023
#17 Hiromi Itoh, Nippon-Ham Fighters (24, RHP): Represented Japan at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, won 10 and struck out 141 batters with a 2.90 ERA in his rookie season (2021). Eligible in: 2030
#61 Kaima Taira, Saitama Seibu Lions (22, RHP): Represented Japan at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, has a 1.35 ERA in the last two seasons out of the bullpen, striking out 10.5 per 9 innings of work. Eligible in: 2029
Next time, we will introduce to you the opening weekend matchups, including who is expected to get the mound on Opening Day (March 25). Can’t wait!
