Former Major League Slugger, Who Hit 37 Homers in 2019, to Partake in Japanese Home Run Derby

Reyes, 30, has played in Japan for each of the last two seasons, suiting up for the Nippon Ham Fighters. In 77 games this season, he's hitting .285 with 18 home runs and 52 RBIs. He's also carrying a .359 on-base percentage.

A prodigious home run hitter even in the states, he hit 108 home runs in those six seasons. He popped 37 home runs for the Padres and Guardians in 2019 and then also hit 30 for Cleveland in 2021. However, his production fell off after that, as he hit just .213 in 2022 with 14 home runs, and then played in only 19 games for the Royals in 2023, hitting .186 with two home runs.

Given his age and his productivity overseas, there's always a chance that Reyes could return to affiliated baseball. While it's been more common with pitchers than hitters recently, players have returned to new opportunities. Chris Flexen and Erick Fedde both returned from the KBO to solid success over the last five years.

Other former major leaguers playing in Japan include Luke Voit, Trevor Bauer, Mike Ford and Trey Cabbage.