For the better part of the past two years, Major League Baseball teams, executives and scouts alike have anticipated and wondered when Japanese start Shohei Otani would make the jump stateside.
The 23-year-old is in his fifth season with the Fighters. Otani has cemented himself not only as the country’s best pitcher, but best hitter as well. He was expected to participate in the 2017 World Baseball Classic, but an ankle injury forced Team Japan to leave the dynamic talent off their roster.
On the heels of Otani making just his third start on the mound this season, came multiple reports that the Fighters will make him available for Major League teams via the posting system, according to Kyodo News:
Nippon Ham Fighters slugging ace pitcher Shohei Otani is likely to go to the major leagues through the posting system after the end of this season, an informed source said Wednesday.