Minor Leaguers Going Overseas This Offseason

» 19 February 2009 » In mlb prospects »

This offseason, we’ve seen a large number of released NPB players announce an intent to pursue contracts with MLB organizations. I’m not sure if this is a record, but it’s the most I can recall. I’m not including Junichi Tazawa and Ken Takahashi in this list, because Takahashi turned down NPB offers, and Tazawa would have been drafted. All of these guys were either released by their NPB teams, or in the case of Yamarin, not drafted.

  • Shigeki Noguchi -> agreed with Blue Jays, failed physical
  • Ken Kadokura -> Cubs
  • Kazuhiro Takeoka -> Unsigned (Braves?)
  • Katsuhiko Maekawa -> Cardinals
  • Takateru Iyono -> Unsigned
  • Tatsuya Ozeki -> trying out with the Rockies in March
  • Ryohei Tanaka -> Orioles
  • Michinao Yamamura -> Unsigned (Golden League?)
  • Koichi Misawa -> Unsigned (played in the Northern League in ’08)
  • Yoshinori Yamarin -> Braves
  • Itsuki Shoda -> Sinon Bulls (Taiwan)

Five Players are still unsigned, which doesn’t surprise me, but I can see Yamamura and Iyono getting a shot as they’re still in their 20’s. Takeoka has worked out twice for the Braves and played AAA ball, so he might a chance too.

Notable MLB returnees:

  • Jeremy Powell -> Pirates
  • Jason Standridge -> Marlins
  • Craig Brazell -> Orioles
  • Winston Abreu -> Rays

Without a doubt, all of the players listed above obvious face big uphill battles to making it to the majors. But the fact that they are getting a chance indicates either a heightened respect for the level of talent in Japan, or a greater need to find low-cost, low-risk players through non-traditional channels. There will be 22 Japanese players in 14 big league camps this spring.

Reasons not to write these guys off just yet: Tomo Ohka, Takashi Saito, Hector Carrasco, Buddy Carlyle, Brian Shouse and  Pedro Feliciano. Saito looked like he was on the downside of his career when he came over, and none of the other guys had lasting success at the top level in Japan. All have been at least useful MLB players.

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  1. Patrick
    Aaron
    19/02/2009 at 3:26 pm Permalink

    There’s also Rick Guttormson and C.J. Nitkowski heading to Korea.
    Have you seen anything on Takatsu? I’m a little surprised he didn’t reup in Korea. I may have read he was going to give the NPB another shot. Or am I dreaming that?

  2. Patrick
    Patrick
    19/02/2009 at 3:47 pm Permalink

    Guttormson and Nitkowski slipped my mind. Thanks for pointing them out.

    I think I read that Shingo wanted to stay in Korea but the Heroes wanted to use his roster spot for someone else. There was some talk of him playing in Taiwan but that obviously hasn’t materialized.

  3. Patrick
    westbaystars
    20/02/2009 at 6:06 am Permalink

    I second Patrick with having read news that Takatsu wanted to stay in Korea. I’m surprised to hear that he was released.

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