The buzz over hot Japanese prospect Shohei Otani brings a question of who the best Japanese players were for the New York Yankees.
This isn’t the first time the New York Yankees dipped into the Japanese market for the next MLB star and I certainly don’t think it will be the last.
The options in Japan are endless for the Yankees, a team who has had huge successes with major league imports. They’ll be scouting out the Japanese leagues in hopes of bringing a stellar player and another championship to the Bronx.
Shohei Otani is making headlines for his outstanding play over in Japan. The 22-year-old serves as a pitcher, outfielder and designated hitter, which makes him the hottest potential prospect out there.
Right now, he’ll remain with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters. However, in a few years, he could potentially make the journey to the United States to make his debut in American professional baseball.
Until that time comes, we’ll take a look back at the best (and the worst) Japanese-born players to have shared time in pinstripes.
Dishonorable Mentions:
While there have been Japanese players who have succeeded in the Bronx spotlight, there have been others that… Well, have failed miserably.
The biggest failure of them all would have to be Kei Igawa.
Igawa came to the United States with huge expectations to perform. Those expectations were soon smashed as Igawa didn’t live up to his potential.
In 2007, he arrived in the Bronx and put up a 2-3 record with a 6.25 ERA in 14 games. When he was sent down to Triple-A Scranton-Wilkes/Barre, we all figured Igawa’s one and only shot at the majors was over. However, he was given a second chance.
That second chance last two games. In those two games after being called up after an untimely injury to starter Ian Kennedy, he posted a 13.50 ERA in just four innings pitched.
That was all for Igawa in the Bronx. He remained in the minor league system until he opted for free agency in 2011.
5. Hideki Irabu
Hideki Irabu arrived in New York in 1997 and immediately struggled. While he didn’t get the hang of the MLB right away, he spent the next two seasons improving and playing a large role in the World Series champion teams in 1998 and 1999.
The right-handed pitcher made his MLB debut and showed promise with a 6.1 inning, nine strikeout performance against the Detroit Tigers.
While the rest of the season wasn’t as impressive (5-4 record and 7.09 ERA), his next two seasons in the Bronx were far more of what they expected of him.
In his final season in the Bronx, he compiled an 11-7 record and struck out 133 in 169.1 innings. While it wasn’t exceptional, it was good enough for the Yankees.
Irabu went on to play for the Montreal Expos and the Texas Rangers prior to his untimely death in 2011.
4. Ichiro Suzuki
Dubbed the “Elvis of Japan,” when Ichiro made his way to the Bronx, after several seasons with the Seattle Mariners, he was just another future Hall of Fame inductee to play in Yankee Stadium.
Ichiro made his way over to America in 2001 and quickly became a phenomenon. The 10-time All-Star is easily one of the most talented players to come out of Japan. At 43 years old, he is still climbing his way up the All-Time hits list.
His short stint in the Bronx was not quite up to par with what he did in Seattle, but he still managed a .281 BA and a .314 OBP. His power was on display with the benefit of the short porch in right field and he served as a solid defensive player for the Yankees.
He is more of the better Japanese-born players considering what he’s done his entire career, as opposed to just with the Yankees. However, when he was in the game, he got things done.
3. Hiroki Kuroda
Picked up from the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Yankees took a chance with Kuroda and were pleasantly surprised by the outcome.
If there’s one thing you can say about Kuroda in the Bronx, it is that he was consistent.
In three years, he compiled a 38-33 record with a 3.44 ERA including 620.0 innings of work — the seventh most in the AL during that span. After his third season, he opted to head back to Japan to finish out his professional career.
This past season, he announced his retirement from the sport.
Even more, Derek Jeter’s final game at Yankee Stadium was started by Kuroda. Bet no one remembers that.
Kuroda made a huge difference in the Bronx and opened the door for another famous Japanese pitcher to make his way to the Yankees. Underappreciated, Kuroda got the job done. So, Kuroda, remember we appreciate you now.
2. Masahiro Tanaka
The current New York Yankees could easily be number one, depending on how he closes out his career. Right now, he is by far the best pitcher the Yankees have had come out of Japan.
People were asking whether or not it was worth it to sign Tanaka directly from Japan to a seven-year, $155 million deal. Are they asking that now? Absolutely not.
Tanaka has exceeded expectations for the Yankees since his debut in 2014. He has a combined 39-16 record in three seasons and is consistent on the mound. Despite elbow injuries, he still comes back every time better than before.
Last season, he ranked 12th in the MLB in ERA and is the ace of the Yankees staff to the point where fans regularly have confidence knowing he’s on the mound.
I think he was worth the money and the Yankees have an ace for years to come.
1. Hideki Matsui
Godzilla came to the Bronx, but he didn’t destroy it. He just destroyed the Yankees’ opponents.
He did it all. On defense, he was a reliable outfielder who made some stellar plays. On offense, he tore the cover off the ball, including a grand slam in his first game at Yankee Stadium.
Matsui continued to deliver over the years and ended up becoming the World Series MVP in 2009 when the Yankees defeated the Philadelphia Phillies in six games.
During that series, he hit .615 with three home runs. Most importantly, he became the first full-time DH and Japanese-born player to win the coveted WS MVP award.
There is no shortage of highlights for the Yankees and Godzilla. Since his arrival in 2003, he provided reliability and monster moon shots for the Yankees.
After his career in New York, Matsui bounced around teams until his retirement in 2012 but will ultimately go down as the best Japanese-born player to ever sport the navy blue pinstripes.