This year, Ichiro Suzuki will become the first Japanese player inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. It's hard to look back at 2001, where Ichiro was an insane rookie hitter, and think about how the Japanese player was a novelty at one point. Hideo Nomo playing for the Dodgers may have broke the thresholds open 30 years after Masanori Murakami, but the conveyer of Japanese players to the MLB was still very spotty and unrefined for a while. Whereas now they're everywhere and serving so many purposes.
My point of reference is the period where the Japanese imports were already in their thirties, guys like Kosuke Fukudome, Yasuhiko Yabuta and Hiroki Kuroda, guys who'd maybe have one or two of their peak years in the states before declining. Now they're coming over in their prime and continuing it playing for the best of the best. It's to the point where now that we once again have an older, veteran Japanese rookie in Tomoyuki Sugano, that feels like more of a novelty than anything. Sugano, 35, has been a bright spot in a very disappointing last place Orioles team. Through 8 games he's 4-2 with a 2.72 ERA. He's not a high strikeout guy but he's just been dominant and consistent, and with all the injuries in Baltimore, they need that right now.
Meanwhile, Kodai Senga, despite being 32, is still one of the most fearsome starters in the game. Right now through 8 he's also 4-2, but with a league leading 1.22 ERA, plus 42 Ks. This was the dominance that Senga displayed in his fantastic rookie season, and despite some shakiness in his rehab season last year, he seems to be back and stronger than ever...much like the Mets.
And you're also seeing that getting a young, full-prime Japanese player isn't the slam dunk it used to be. Roki Sasaki is 23 and was an absolute phenom in Japan, yet he's struggled mightily in the States, culminating in an injury. Even while the strategy evolves, sometimes planning and expectation is meaningless, and the players themselves chart their own course anytime they want.
Let's have a look at some of the other Japanese imports in the league, and see if any are defying their own ages:
Angels: Yusei Kikuchi is 34, and despite not getting a win yet he's still very reliable, and has a 3.72 ERA. Kikuchi has only gotten better as he's matured in the majors, and his Jays run has been his peak so far, which the Angels hope continues with them.
Cubs: Seiya Suzuki is 30 and is still pretty much in his prime, though I worry he's not exactly the hitter that was advertised. Shota Imanaga's 31 and still definitely in his prime.
Dodgers: Ohtani is Ohtani. Yamamoto is 26 and having an incredible season, with a 1.80 ERA and 53 Ks. A Japanese pitcher has never won a Cy Young award, despite Darvish coming in 2nd a few years back, and Yamamoto is already figuring heavily into the conversation.
Nationals: Shinnosuke Ogasawara, in his rookie season at 27, has a 4.80 ERA in 3 starts...in Rochester. I don't know if it's the Nats rotation or Ogasawara himself but this may be more on the side of novelty.
Padres: Well, Yu Darvish is 38 and injured, but he's had a full career. Yuki Matsui is 29 and still a very crucial part of this bullpen, with a 2 ERA.
Red Sox: Masataka Yoshida is still very much in his prime, but he is currently hurt.
Tigers: Kenta Maeda, a rare care of a Japanese player clearly past his prime, was cut a few weeks ago after posting a 7.88 ERA in relief.
So honestly, it varies, but the quality of player is now good enough that there's less drop-offs and more powering through, even in their early 30s. It bodes well for both these players, and their teams. And for Roki Sasaki honestly. He may not have clicked now, but who's to say he won't eventually?
Coming Tomorrow- The closest thing to a veteran star the White Sox have.
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