Nationals created left-handed pitcher Ogasawara Island first time Sign directly from Asia. the nationals signed him 2 years transaction. For years I’ve been frustrated by the team’s seeming lack of interest in the Japanese market, but today they finally made a splash.
The 27-year-old may not be a Saga-level talent, but he’s a big league caliber arm. he is Former NPB All-Starand posted 3.12 ERA 144.1 innings last season. The early expectation is that Ogasawara will serve as the long man in the bullpen. people dfa’d Joe La Sorsa to make room on the 40-man roster.
Ogasawara has mediocre strikeout numbers and is underwhelming, sitting in the 90s. However, he has plus command and only walked 1.4 batters per nine innings last season. He has a prototypical crafty left hand that keeps hitters off balance. Between Ogosawara, Michael Soroka, and Trevor Williams, the Nats have a lot of weapons that can be pitched in a variety of roles.
The most exciting thing about this signing to me isn’t the player Ogosawara, but what this represents. Japan is a market that is chasing talent, especially on the pitching side. With this signature, we are letting our people know that we will no longer ignore the Asian market. Building relationships is the key to future business with Japanese players.
The Nationals haven’t had an Asian player since Ching Ming Wang. There have been no Japanese players since 2005. Hopefully this is just the beginning and Nat can become a real player in the Japanese market.
