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Padres sign international free agent to minor-league deal

The San Diego Padres wasted no time making their first move of the offseason. Pitcher Tatsuya Nogami signed a minor-league deal out of Osaka Sangyo University, bypassing Nippon Professional Baseball. It’s an emerging trend among Japanese players to bypass NPB…

Published: Sunday, 18 October 2026 at 3:00 AM
Padres sign international free agent to minor-league deal
Key Things to Know
  • The San Diego Padres signed international free agent pitcher Tatsuya Nogami to a minor-league contract.
  • The deal is a minor-league free-agent signing bypassing Nippon Professional Baseball.
  • Nogami posted a 0.36 ERA with 54 strikeouts in 25 1/3 innings for Osaka Sangyo University.
The Story in 60 Seconds

The San Diego Padres have signed 20-year-old Japanese pitcher Tatsuya Nogami to a minor-league contract as their first move of the offseason. Nogami joins the organization directly out of Osaka Sangyo University, bypassing Nippon Professional Baseball entirely.

Nogami starred in the Seito Six University Semi-Hardball Baseball League, recording a 0.36 ERA and striking out 54 batters across 25 1/3 innings. Featuring a five-pitch mix, the young pitcher is expected to begin the upcoming season developing in San Diego's minor league system.

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