Shinnosuke Ogasawara, the talented left-handed pitcher from the Chunichi Dragons, is setting his sights on Major League Baseball. According to Yahoo Sports Japan, Ogasawara plans to ask his team to post him for MLB availability this offseason. If the Dragons agree, it could be a big moment for the 27-year-old southpaw, who has spent nine seasons in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).
Despite his experience, Ogasawara falls short of the nine full service years required to become an international free agent. This means he will need to go through the posting system, which comes with its own set of rules and challenges. Teams interested in signing him must pay a posting fee to the Dragons based on the total value of his MLB contract—20% of the first $25 million, 17.5% of the next $25 million, and 15% on any amount beyond that. The window for negotiations will last 45 days, and if no agreement is reached, Ogasawara will return to NPB for the 2025 season.
Ogasawara’s performance in NPB has been solid, with a career 3.66 ERA over 1,095 innings. His durability is also a plus, as he has pitched at least 141 1/3 innings in each of the last four seasons. In 2024, he posted a 2.99 ERA and exhibited exceptional control with a walk rate of just 3.42%. However, his low strikeout rate (13.87%) is a concern for MLB scouts. While his control has consistently improved, his lack of missed bats might raise questions about his ability to compete against MLB hitters, who are more disciplined and powerful.
Ogasawara’s age works in his favor, making him one of the younger options in this year’s pitching market. MLB scouts, including those who have already watched him in action for the Dragons, will be evaluating whether his control and finesse can compensate for his lack of strikeouts.
The Dragons’ decision on whether to post Ogasawara will be pivotal, and if they do, it remains to be seen which MLB teams will take the plunge. Will the promise of his control and youth outweigh the red flags surrounding his strikeout numbers? Baseball’s winter market is heating up, and Ogasawara’s name could be one to watch.
