Major League Baseball teams are continuing to explore the international market for young pitching talent as they prepare for the 2027 season. Japanese prospects have attracted considerable attention in recent years, with several players moving to the United States and…
The Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees, and Los Angeles Dodgers are among multiple MLB franchises pursuing 18-year-old Japanese pitching prospect Shoki Oda. The right-hander, who declined to sign after being drafted first overall in the 2026 NPB draft, met with several clubs including the Philadelphia Phillies, New York Mets, and Texas Rangers as he prepares to transition directly to American baseball.
Oda is scheduled to meet with the Blue Jays, Yankees, St. Louis Cardinals, and Houston Astros. Under current rules, he would be eligible to sign as an international free agent on January 15, 2027, though upcoming collective bargaining negotiations or a potential international draft could influence his path.
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