"18-Year-Old Shotaro Morii Bypasses Japanese Pro Baseball to Join Oakland Athletics"

Shotaro Morii, an 18-year-old baseball talent from Japan, has made the noteworthy decision to skip the typical route of entering professional baseball in Japan. Instead, he has signed a minor league contract with the Oakland Athletics, which includes a substantial signing bonus of $1,510,500. This move is part of a growing trend where young players aspire to follow in the footsteps of renowned two-way star Shohei Ohtani.

Traditionally, top athletes from Japan would first establish themselves in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) before making their way to Major League Baseball (MLB). However, Morii, who plays both as a shortstop and a right-handed pitcher, has chosen to join the A’s directly after completing high school, marking the start of the 2025 signing period. During a virtual press conference, he expressed his commitment to pursuing his dream, stating he wanted to avoid any regrets about his career choices.

Morii has been playing as a two-way player since he was eight years old, showcasing his talents by hitting 45 home runs and excelling on the mound at TOHO Junior and Senior High School in Tokyo. He will begin his career with the Arizona Complex League Athletics in Mesa, Arizona.

Assistant General Manager Dan Feinstein praised Morii for his remarkable athleticism and enthusiasm for baseball. The Athletics staff, including director of international scouting Steve Sharpe and scout Toshiyuki Tomizuka, played essential roles in facilitating Morii's signing. Feinstein noted that Tomizuka's efforts to observe Morii's performances and build a rapport with him and his family contributed significantly to the agreement.

Morii's preparation for this new chapter in his career includes taking an English summer class. He acknowledged that the successes of MLB players like Ohtani and others in recent years influenced his decision. While he admires Ohtani's achievements, he humbly stated that he does not see himself at the same level yet, expressing his goal to improve and get closer to Ohtani's caliber. Morii also remarked on the Athletics' rich history, which was a factor in his decision to join the team.