As a right-handed pitcher and left-handed hitter of great renown in Japan, Angels two-way player Shohei Ohtani (above), is the most intriguing newcomer in the majors this year.
How the 6-foot-4, 23-year-old will perform in his first year in Major League Baseball is a matter of great conjecture, but it may be instructive to look at the debut MLB seasons for other Japanese-born players making the transition:
FIRST-YEAR STARTERS
Pitcher Team Year Age W-L IP ERA WHIP K/9
Hideo Nomo Dodgers 1995 26 13-6 1911⁄32.54 1.056 11.1
Daisuke Matsuzaka Red Sox 2007 26 15-12 2042⁄34.