Last winter, Major League Baseball’s offseason was dominated by international free agents like Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Jung Hoo Lee. This offseason, the spotlight is on Roki Sasaki, a 23-year-old Japanese ace being posted by the Chiba Lotte Marines. With his impressive pitching skills, Sasaki is expected to attract a lot of attention in the market, especially since he can only sign as an amateur international free agent with a contract limited by IFA pools.
While Sasaki is the headline-grabber, there are four other international league players worth noting this offseason. Here are some key players who have caught the eye of MLB teams after playing in either Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball league or South Korea’s Korea Baseball Organization:
1. Hye-seong Kim, 2B, Kiwoom Heroes (KBO)
Hye-seong Kim is a 25-year-old second baseman known for his bat-to-ball skills, baserunning, and defense. Although not a power hitter, Kim has a career .304 batting average and has shown versatility in his playing style.
2. Kyle Hart, LHP, NC Dinos (KBO)
Kyle Hart, a left-handed pitcher, has found success in South Korea after limited MLB appearances. With a solid arsenal and above-average control, Hart is viewed as a potential back-end starter for MLB teams.
3. Shinnosuke Ogasawara, LHP, Chunichi Dragons (NPB)
Shinnosuke Ogasawara is a left-handed pitcher with good command but a recent decline in strikeout rate. Despite this, Ogasawara’s potential in MLB is still intriguing, and teams are curious to see how he performs against MLB hitters.
4. Tomoyuki Sugano, RHP, Yomiuri Giants (NPB)
Tomoyuki Sugano, a veteran right-handed pitcher, is making another attempt to join MLB after a successful career in Japan. With a variety of pitches and above-average command, Sugano’s experience and accolades make him a player to watch in the upcoming season.
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