The Boston Red Sox are paying top money to a Japanese import, Masataka Yoshida, starting from this season.
After winning the rights to negotiate with the player by paying a $15.4 million posting fee to the Orix Buffaloes, they signed the outfielder to a five-year, $90 million deal.
It’s a lot of money for someone who hasn’t played an inning in the majors, but he is a special hitter.
He walks more than he strikes out, he has 20-homer power, he knows the strike zone like a master, and he has incredible contact ability.
His talent has become evident in his career in the NPB back home, but also in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
A home run hit by Yoshida kept Japan’s dreams intact on Monday night in the semifinals against Mexico.
Down 3-0 in the seventh inning, he hit a towering shot to the right field pole that landed in the stands for a game-tying, three-run home run.
It gave life to Japan, who ended up winning 6-5 against Mexico in the bottom of the ninth.
Yoshida has been incredible in WBC play.
Masataka Yoshida has been on FIRE. His 13 RBI from him during the 2023 #WorldBaseballClassic are the most in tournament history! pic.twitter.com/kKxbywasrI
— World Baseball Classic (@WBCBaseball) March 21, 2023
He is slashing .474/.571/.842 with two home runs and a 1.413 OPS.
Perhaps the most shocking stat in his overall line are his 13 RBI.
Driving in 13 runs in just six games is astounding, and he has one more to keep adding to that total.
Will he be able to do that?
We will find out soon enough, but the Red Sox are already licking their chops at the potential of having Yoshida at the top of their lineup.
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