Japanese Baseball Players to Watch in 2024

Exploring some of the best Japanese players to lookout for in MLB next season.

Japanese Baseball Players to Watch in 2024

MLB stadium (Image via Unsplash)

The Japanese national baseball team made a huge statement in 2023 when they defeated the USA in the World Baseball Classic final. The strength of the Japanese NPB was demonstrated by the fact that both clubs were loaded with MLB and NPB players. All of it bears witness to the growth of the Japan NPB league, which has been making bigger and higher strides over time and gaining popularity in Japan and all around the world with both sports fans and savvy sports bettors. 

Because of the league’s recent successes and amazing players, baseball fans and enthusiastic sports bettors are getting excited about predicting and betting on Japanese baseball games. Many dedicated fans opt for baseball betting sites that cater to sports enthusiasts and die-hard baseball fans to enhance their overall experience with the sport.

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While some fans enjoy watching games and others like to actively participate through wagering on players and outcomes, one thing is clear – the Japanese national baseball team is on an upward trajectory and there are some key players to keep an eye on. Let’s take a closer look at the top four players to watch in the coming year. 

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Top 4 Japanese baseball players to watch out for:

Yoshinobu Yamamoto

Yoshinobu Yamamoto
Yoshinobu Yamamoto (Image via LA Times)

This group is led, and appropriately so, by Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Having won three Triple Crowns, two MVP awards, and three Sawamura Awards, the young pitcher from Japan has experienced every possible success and is a hot bet to wager on. Yamamoto accomplished the extremely uncommon triple crown of earning the Eiji Sawamura Award, the Pacific League Most Valuable Player Award, and the Pitching Triple Crown in 2021 and 2022. He is a player that fans should expect to transcend beyond generations. 

Shota Imanaga

Shota Imanaga
Shota Imanaga (Image via Chicago Sun-Times)

Fans who saw this year’s WBC final may recognize this second player, Shota Imanaga. Despite his accomplishments being relatively little in contrast to Yamamoto. His excellent baseball senses serve him well in the major leagues, making him another great betting option. Since making his debut in 2015, Imanaga has been a reliable starter and will be hoping to have a strong start with the Chicago Cubs this season.

Yuki Matsui

Yuki Matsui
Yuki Matsui (Image via San Diego Union-Tribune)

Coming in third place is Yuki Matsui, who possesses a very distinctive profile. With a fastball that can get as high as the mid-150s, a decent forkball, and slider skills, the left-hander is one of the best closers in Japan. He is one of Samurai Japan’s finest players and has 197 career saves in his nine-year career.

Matsui has a fastball of major-league quality despite being extremely short in stature. He is a successful closer who is expected to stay in that capacity following his transfer to the Major Leagues. Baseball fans are now eager to see how he performs with the San Diego Padres.

Naoyuki Uwasawa

Naoyuki Uwasawa
Naoyuki Uwasawa (Image via The Japan Times)

Of all the players in this category, Naoyuki Uwasawa is probably the least desired pitcher to make the list because compared to the other three, his numbers are not as striking but he is still a great player to bet on. Though he tends to rely more on defense, the right-hand pitcher throws a lot of strikes, which prevents him from giving up many walks.

In the major leagues, Uwasawa’s ability to restrict hard contact will surely be beneficial as he has an excellent fastball movement. As the starting pitcher for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters, Uwasawa has been putting up strong performances time and time again. By winning about ten games and pitching more than 150 innings yearly, he has certainly benefited his squad.

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