Sports · Baseball · 3 hrs ago
Giants expected to offer Shogo Asano a development contract after release
The Yomiuri Giants released outfielder Shogo Asano after his fourth season, but are expected to offer him a development contract.
Asano, 21, is recovering from surgery on his right knee and is still in rehabilitation.
He played nine first-team games this season, batting .185 with one home run and one run batted in.
A development contract would take him off the team's regular roster while he works toward a return.
Commentator Yutaka Takagi said Asano should choose a clear batting approach, rather than trying to be both a home-run hitter and a high-average batter.
Takagi suggested aiming for about 20 home runs and a .300 batting average, saying that could help Asano earn a regular place in the outfield.
The expected contract would give Asano a chance to recover and work toward returning to the regular roster.
The Yomiuri Giants are expected to offer Shogo Asano a development contract after releasing him from his current contract.
The 21-year-old outfielder is recovering from right-knee surgery and played in nine first-team games this season.
Former player and commentator Yutaka Takagi said Asano should decide whether to focus on home runs or batting average.
Takagi suggested aiming for about 20 home runs and a .300 average rather than trying to hit 30 or 40 home runs.
A sports writer said the move could create room on the Giants’ 70-player roster while Asano recovers.
- Who
- Shogo Asano, a 21-year-old outfielder for the Yomiuri Giants.
- What
- The Giants are expected to offer him a development contract after releasing him from his current contract.
- When
- The Giants announced his release on October 25, 2026.
- Where
- The Yomiuri Giants in Japan’s professional baseball league.
- Why
- Asano is recovering from right-knee surgery. A sports writer said the move could free a place on the 70-player roster.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Asano underwent surgery on his right knee and began rehabilitation.
The Giants announced that Asano would become a free agent.
Takagi discussed Asano’s future and said he should decide on his direction as a batter.
- Age
- 21
- Draft
- First overall pick by the Giants in 2022
- 2026 first-team games
- 9
- 2026 batting average
- .185
- 2026 home runs and runs batted in
- 1 home run; 1 run batted in
- Proposed batting target
- About 20 home runs and a .300 average
3 sources
What people are saying
Whether he wants to hit home runs or maintain a high batting average
He should decide clearly on his direction himself
If he hits 20 home runs and bats .300, opponents would really dislike facing him