Pitcher scouts once preferred over Shohei Ohtani set to return to Japan

Baseball scouts across Japan were kept busy throughout the 2012 season. Many of the country's most talented prospects were working their way towards the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) Draft that fall, while others, like Shohei Ohtani, were already appearing on the radar of MLB teams. 

To some scouts, however, he wasn't even the top amateur pitcher in Japan. That distinction fell to right-hander Shintaro Fujinami. 

The duo has taken very different paths since. 

Ohtani has become a baseball legend and one of the most recognizable faces of the sport around the globe. He's been a star in the NPB, for Team Samurai Japan at the World Baseball Classic, and in the Major Leagues. 

Fujinami found success in Japan, quickly becoming a fan favorite with the Hanshin Tigers. He appeared in four All-Star games and won a Central League strikeout title during his 10 years with the Tigers, posting an 80-65 record and 3.17 ERA. Control issues plagued his final seasons in the NPB, however, forcing a move to the bullpen. 

The Tigers posted Fujinami for MLB teams following the 2022 season. After receiving limited interest on the free agent market, he would agree to a one-year, $3.25M contract with the then-Oakland Athletics. 

Fujinami was hit hard in four starts for the A's to begin the 2023 season before being moved to the bullpen. The A's would trade him that July to Baltimore for minor league left-hander Easton Lucas. Fujinami made 64 appearances between the two teams, pitching to a 58 ERA+ and 7.18 ERA over 79.0 IP. 

A free agent again after the season, Fujinami signed a one-year, $3.35M deal to join the New York Mets for 2024. He spent six weeks in the minor leagues before a shoulder injury ended his season in May. 

This winter, he'd land with the Seattle Mariners on a minor league contract but after posting a 5.79 ERA in 21 appearances for Triple-A Tacoma, the Mariners released him in late June. 

Now, according to a report from Yahoo! Japan, Fujinami is looking at a return to Japan to pitch in the NPB again. He's reportedly close to joining the Yokohama DeNA BayStars.