Sports · Baseball · 3 hrs ago
Yomiuri Giants first-round pick Shoki Oda may reconsider US baseball plans
The Yomiuri Giants selected Yokohama High pitcher Shoki Oda first overall in Japan’s professional baseball draft.
The 18-year-old had said he wanted to pursue a baseball career in the United States, through a US college or a minor-league contract.
A US baseball reporter says Oda has not registered for either 2027 MLB route: international amateur signing or the MLB draft.
The reporter said this could signal a change in direction before November 1, but Oda has not announced a change.
Oda said after the Giants selected him that his wish to try baseball in the US had not wavered.
Japanese high school players rarely bypass the domestic professional ranks to pursue MLB directly.
The Giants have until the end of March to sign Oda, and new manager Hideki Matsui has spoken of the chance to sign a player with the potential to become a world-class pitcher.
Yomiuri Giants first-round pick Shoki Oda has not been registered for either the 2027 international signing period or the MLB draft, according to a US baseball reporter.
Francis Romero said the registration status could indicate a change in Oda’s plans before November 1.
Oda has said he wants to pursue baseball in the United States, including through a US college or a major league club.
After the Giants selected him on October 22, Oda said his desire to challenge himself in the United States had not changed.
The registration report does not confirm that Oda has changed his plans.
- Who
- Shoki Oda, an 18-year-old pitcher from Yokohama High School.
- What
- He has not been registered for either the 2027 international signing period or the MLB draft, according to reporter Francis Romero.
- When
- Romero reported the status on October 23. He said it could point to a change before November 1.
- Where
- The report concerns Oda’s eligibility for US baseball routes, including international signing and the MLB draft.
- Why
- Not stated. Romero said the status could suggest a change in Oda’s direction, but no reason or confirmed change was reported.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Oda said he was considering pursuing baseball in the United States, including attending a US college.
The Giants selected Oda with the first pick in the NPB draft.
Romero reported that Oda was not registered for the 2027 international signing period or the MLB draft and said this could suggest a change in plans.
- Draft selection
- First round, Yomiuri Giants, October 22
- Age
- 18
- Registration status
- Not registered for the 2027 international signing period or MLB draft, according to Romero
- Reporter
- Francis Romero, a member of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America
- Possible deadline
- November 1, cited by Romero as the point before which a change in direction could be indicated
- Plan stated by Oda
- Pursue baseball in the United States, including through a US college or a major league club
4 sources
What people are saying
Honestly, I'm surprised.
I got an extremely honorable nomination, but as I've conveyed at the press conference, my desire to challenge the United States (baseball) does not waver at all.
We have been given the chance that we may be able to sign a player with the potential to become the best pitcher in the world.