The Los Angeles Dodgers held a meeting with highly coveted Japanese prospect Shoki Oda on Saturday in Japan, per Chunichi Sports’ Taro Abe.
Oda is a rare case, as he is looking to forego playing in NPB to come directly to the United States and play for an MLB organization. According to Oda’s manager, he is meeting with 12 MLB teams including the Dodgers.
“Amidst his declaration to challenge the American baseball world without going through NPB, Shohei Oda, the Yokohama High School pitcher who was selected first overall by the Yomiuri Giants in the draft, met with the Dodgers on [Saturday] at his school’s grounds in Yokohama,” Abe wrote.
Who is Shoki Oda?
The Yomiuri Giants selected Oda with the No. 1 pick in the most recent NPB draft, and it’s no wonder why given his performances in high school. He nearly touched triple-digits on his fastball in Japan’s annual national high school tournament, Koshien, and struck out 395 batters in 303.2 innings pitched.
“I believe there is no doubt that he is the best pitcher in the world at the age of 18,” Dodgers vice president Galen Carr said. “He has many options. Whatever decision he makes, we want to respect it.”
Will the Dodgers Sign Shoki Oda?
Whether or not the Dodgers sign Oda is completely up to him, but it seems the odds lean in their favor. Oda’s favorite MLB player is Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and the only team he follows on Instagram is the Dodgers.
He clearly wants a move to MLB, and earlier in the offseason president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman stated the Dodgers would continue evaluating talent overseas.
“Obviously we are a big fan of the NPB and have a lot of respect for the talent in that league,” Friedman said. “And it’s something we follow closely and watch. Our understanding is there’s a chance there’s a couple of very talented players that are going to potentially come over to the major leagues. And we’re going to continue to meet on that and talk about it. … We’re excited about having those conversations and watching these guys play out.”
A potential lockout count stunt Oda’s move, but the pitcher indicated he could attend college in the United States if he misses out on signing with an MLB team.
