Los Angeles Dodgers two-way famous person Shohei Ohtani, San Diego Padres right-hander Yu Darvish and Atlanta Braves shortstop Ha-Seong Kim are simply a few of the gifted stars to return to MLB by means of the posting system lately. As groups look to improve their rosters this offseason, a number of present gamers in Japan’s NPB and Korea’s KBO will look to make the soar to the Main Leagues.
Competitors to signal every may very well be fierce.
(Statistics embrace all video games performed by means of Friday.)
3B/1B Kazuma Okamoto | NPB’s Yomiuri Giants
The Giants have lengthy been one of many NPB’s most reluctant groups to put up their gamers, however Okamoto will attain free company following the 2026 season and appears intent on heading to MLB. Somewhat than threat shedding him for nothing, there is a sturdy perception that the crew will bend its coverage and put up the 29-year-old this offseason. MLB groups have been scouting him since at the least 2023.
Okamoto contributed a key residence run in opposition to Rockies left-hander Kyle Freeland through the championship recreation of the final World Baseball Traditional (Japan received 3-2).
Okamoto has spent most of his 11-year profession at third base, however has seen ample time throughout the diamond at first base, too, the place some consider he is the higher defender. The six-time All-Star has hit .275/.359/.518 over his profession with 206 doubles and 244 residence runs, main the league thrice. Regardless of lacking three months after injuring his elbow in a collision on the bases earlier within the season, he is batting .312/.387/.559 with 11 HR and the bottom strikeout charge of his profession over 230 PA.
3B/INF Sung Mun Tune | KBO’s Kiwoom Heroes
Tune is one thing of a novel case, as he simply agreed to a six-year contract extension with the Heroes in August (price 12B received or roughly $8.6M USD). That deal contained language that will not stop the crew from posting him ought to he request it, which he is anticipated to do. Nonetheless, the brand new contract might function a benchmark that MLB groups might want to high to get him to signal.
Primarily a 3rd baseman, Tune has hit .283/.348/.430 over his 9 years within the KBO. The 29-year-old has posted career-highs in runs scored (94), doubles (33), residence runs (33), stolen bases (24) and walks (66) this season.
RHPs Tatsuya Imai and Kona Takahashi | NPB’s Seibu Lions
Seibu has been among the many NPB’s most disappointing groups this season, and the Lions may very well be going through a doubtlessly transformative offseason in the event that they let each Imai and Takahashi depart for the majors. Each right-handers stay shy of the requisite service time to achieve free company, however posting them now will permit the Lions to keep away from shedding them for nothing whereas bringing in much-needed funds for brand new additions. Their youthful ages — Imai is 27, whereas Takahashi is 28 — will solely assist their enchantment to MLB groups.
Imai — who reportedly has a pair of pitches that may attain the higher 90s, a rarity amongst Japanese pitchers — has been among the many NPB’s greatest arms this season, posting a career-low 1.67 ERA and a minuscule 0.892 WHIP over 145.2 IP with 162 strikeouts and 39 walks.
Takahashi — extra of a management pitcher who does not strike out many batters — has a strong 3.05 ERA over 130.0 IP with simply 36 walks. An August report from Japan’s Nikkai Sports activities indicated that scouts from the Angels, Athletics, Blue Jays, Cardinals, Mariners and Rangers had all been current at Takahashi’s begins.
3B/INF Munetaka Murakami | NPB’s Yakult Swallows
MLB groups — and followers — have been eagerly ready for Murakami’s posting ever since he challenged the NPB single-season residence run document in 2022 (he completed with 56, 4 shy of Wladimir Balentien’s document 60 in 2013). One other star of Japan’s WBC roster, Murakami is predicted to attract curiosity from a number of MLB groups and could be among the best Japanese hitters to maneuver to the majors lately.
Murakami has been restricted to simply 41 video games this season following a shoulder harm he suffered earlier within the 12 months, however he is made probably the most of his taking part in time, hitting .284/.372/.709 with 19 residence runs. The 25-year-old has spent most of his profession at third base, however many scouts suppose that his future within the majors could be at first base. He has mashed 243 residence runs and hit .274/.394/.551 over his eight seasons within the NPB.
