A closer look at NPB star Teruaki Sato

Hanshin Tigers third baseman/outfielder Teruaki Sato may be the most intriguing player on the market this season.

The Tigers officially announced on Oct. 19 that they would approve Sato entering the posting system. Once he officially comes available, major league teams will have 45 days to sign him to a contract; otherwise, he will return to the Tigers for the 2027 season. The upcoming MLB lockout could impact Sato's availability as the labor stoppage would occur during the middle of his posting window.

The 2025 Central League MVP, Sato is likely to win the award for a second consecutive season after becoming the ninth player in NPB history to win the Triple Crown. He posted a .306/.383/.609 batting line in his 614 plate appearances, hitting 39 homers and 40 doubles.

Teruaki Sato to bring intriguing skillset to majors

Offensively, Sato is viewed as being somewhere between White Sox first baseman Munetaka Murakami and Blue Jays third baseman Kazuma Okamoto. While he does not have Murakami's raw power, he did hit at least 20 homers in four of his last five seasons in Japan, topping out at 40 home runs in 2025. He is aggressive at the plate, looking to pull the ball with authority and consistently makes hard contact when he puts the bat on the ball.

His ability to make consistent contact is questionable. Sato struck out in 27.4% of his NPB plate appearances, an abnormally high percentage in Japan. While his 8.8% walk rate is solid enough, Sato does not have the same batting eye that Murakami has which helps mitigate his higher strikeout totals.

Defensively, Sato has a strong arm that would be at home at either third base or right field. The problem is that his fielding is suspect at best, which could lead to a move to either left field or first base. 

Ultimately, Sato's value will come from how much he can produce with the bat. He has the potential to be a solid power threat capable of hitting 25 to 30 homers a season, although his strikeout tendencies are a significant concern. However, as one of the few impact bats in the midst of his prime on the open market, Sato's red flags could be overlooked as teams look to bolster the middle of their lineup.