The hype surrounding Japanese pitcher and designated hitter Shohei Otani has continued to grow over the past year in anticipation of his making the jump to Major League Baseball. Scouts have pegged Otani as the best two-way talent in some time.
He’s eligible to come play professionally in the United States in 2018, although it is unknown if Otani will elect to do that as he has endured an injury-plagued 2017 season. The Los Angeles Dodgers are among the reported teams with interest in Otani.
Ahead of the possibility that he is posted by the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters this offseason, clubs have long been laying the foundation for a potential pursuit.