Top 9 Japanese Players of All-Time

If you've been keeping up with baseball news, you've probably seen that Japanese baseball sensation Shohei Otani could be coming to the MLB. For those of you that don't know Ohtani is considered by many to be the best player in Japan, but also one of the best players in the world. The reason for such high praises is that Ohtani is both an accomplished hitter and pitcher in Japan as you can see by his 2016 stat-line below.

Batting (104 Games)

BA (.322) OBP (.416) SLG (.588) OPS (1.004) HR (22) RBI (67)

Pitching (21 Games)

W-L (10-4) ERA (1.86) IP (140.0) SO (174) CG (4) K/BB Ratio (3.87)

As you can see Ohtani excels on both sides on the diamond. However, the real question will be whether or not a team will allow him to be both a full-time pitcher and hitter like he wants. But for now let's celebrate this potential arrival by counting down the 9 best Japanese MLB players of all-time.

9. Shigetoshi Hasegawa

For 9 years Hasegawa was a reasonable set-up man in the MLB. In that time he posted a respectable 3.70 ERA, to go along with his 33 career saves. His best season came in 2003, when he posted a career best 1.48 ERA as well as a career high 16 saves en route to his one and only All-Star selection.

Quick note, there will be a lot of pitchers going forward on this list, so don't be alarmed.

8. Kazuhiro Sasaki

Sasaki may have been a late arrival to the MLB, but he payed immediate dividends for the Seattle Mariners. A two-time All-Star Sasaki had immediate success as the closer for the Seattle Mariners, recording 30+ saves 3 out of his 4 years in the MLB. His rookie campaign saw him win Rookie of the Year honors, and was apart of the Seattle squad that won 116 games in 2001. Sasaki would've been placed higher if he had stayed in the league a bit longer, but because he only played 4 years it's hard to put him higher.

7. Koji Uehara

Since coming to the states in 2009, Uehara has established him as one of the more reliable relievers in baseball. In 2013 Uehara posted a 1.09 ERA to go along with 21 saves, picking up 7 more in the postseason en route to a World Series ring. While not as dominant as Sasaki, the amount of years played and the fact he has a ring places Koji Uehara one spot ahead.

6. Masahiro Tanaka

This next name on this list is more based off of what I think he can do rather than where he is right now. It's not like that Tanaka is a bad pitcher, holding a respectable 3.56 career ERA, it's that he just hasn't accomplished a lot yet. But even though Tanaka has only been around 4 years, if he has a good and healthy this upcoming season he could very well be on his way to a massive pay day.

5. Hideo Nomo

While some may view this Japanese legends spot on the list a bit low, let me explain my reasoning. First of all there is no doubt that when Nomo came over from Japan to the Dodgers he was a very big deal, winning rookie of the year honors. However, after only two good years Nomo fell apart posting a 4.61 ERA in his last 10 seasons. But Nomo does have two no hitters to his name as well as one All-Star Game start.

4. Hiroki Kuroda

While he might not have the type of name recognition that Nomo had, Kuroda was still a fine pitcher. After spending the first 11 years of his career in Japan, Kuroda signed with the Dodgers in 2007. While his career only lasted 7 years, and while he never made an All-Star game Kuroda was very consistent. For example in his 7 years he never posted an ERA above 3.76, and won double digit games in his last five seasons in the MLB. And when you consider that he was already an 11-year vet when he entered the MLB those numbers are even more impressive.

3. Yu Darvish

After making a name for himself in the 2009 WBC, Yu Darvish captured the attention of MLB scouts as potentially the next great Japanese pitching prospect. And in 2012 Darvish signed with the Texas Rangers for over $51 million guaranteed. It's safe to say the Rangers got their moneys worth as Darvish immediately made himself the ace of the staff and has made an All-Star team 4 out of his 5 years. Even though his first World Series didn't go as planned, Yu Darvish is likely to be the highest paid free agent pitcher of this years class.

2. Hideki Matsui

I've already went into great depth to explain how great Hideki Matsui was.

(https://behindthecardboard.wixsite.com/behindthecardboard/single-post/2017/05/12/OG-Original-Godzilla)

If you haven't read that article yet I highly would recommend you do. In short Matsui is the best power hitter to ever come over from Japan to the US. Godzilla was a 2-time All-Star as well as 2009 World Series MVP (which he won as a DH), where he hit .615 to go a long with 3 homeruns. And if it wasn't for a another former outfielder Matsui would've likely found himself at the top of this list as well.

1. Ichiro Suzuki

Was there really ever any doubt as to who was going to be number one? You know your good when you go by only one name, and my goodness was Ichiro good. In his first year he proceeded to win AL ROY, a Gold Glove, a Silver Slugger, AL MVP as well as making an All-Star team. As it stands right now Ichiro's resume reads like a bonafide hall of famer.

MVP (2001)

AL ROY (2001)

2x Batting Champ (2001, 2004)

3x Silver Slugger (2001, 2007, 2009)

10x All-Star (2001-2010)

10x Gold Glove (2001-2010)

This list doesn't include the fact that he is the only Japanese born player to have amassed 3,000 hits and holds the MLB record for most hits in a single season with 262. Ichiro is without a doubt the best player ever to come from Japan, and is without a doubt a first ballot hall of famer. That is of course if he ever decides to retire.

#Japan #IchiroSuzuki #HidekiMatsui #YuDarvish #HirokiKuroda #HideoNomo #MasahiroTanaka #KojiUehara #KazuhiroSasaki #ShigetoshiHasegawa #OutofLeftField