Igarashi to Majors (someday)

» 28 October 2008 » In mlb prospects »

Add Tokyo Yakult Swallows reliever Ryota Igarashi to the list of guys that is looking for a future move to MLB. Igarashi is a domestic free agent this year, but will decline to file so that he can pursue an MLB contract later on. Igarashi is said to be looking to make a “Shinjo class” move, which is to say he wants to come to America for the experience rather than the money. And if he truly follows the Shinjo model, he’ll return to Japan to finish his career.

Igarashi has already begun negotiating his next contract with Yakult, and it appears that he stay in Yoyogi at least for next year. Igarashi spent nearly two years on the shelf due to Tommy John surgery, but came back in July and posted solid numbers for the Swallows. Most notably his 42/6 K/BB ratio indicates that his control, which was never a strong point pre-surgery,  has improved dramatically.

Tags:

Trackback URL

  1. Patrick
    Jeff Hainey
    28/10/2008 at 8:50 pm Permalink

    “Looking for a future move to MLB” is a Japanese written article. Is there mention of other star players from Japan interested in trying out baseball in America? Are there stars other than Uehara and Igarashi that have mentioned a desire to play in the Major Leagues?

  2. Patrick
    Patrick
    29/10/2008 at 8:29 am Permalink

    You can check my free agents page for a list of guys that are interested in playing in the majors next year, and whether they are stars or not.