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The Best Japanese Baseball Players Of 2025
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Vote up the best Japanese baseball players in the MLB in 2025.
The world of Major League Baseball is expanding each and every day, and now Japanese baseball players and the best Nippon Professional Baseball players are making their way to the MLB to show the world the skills, drive, and passion the Japanese leagues and their players have. While it may be known as America's Pastime, Japans best baseball players are taking the league by storm and showcasing an entirely new way to play the game. While there may not be many players of Japanese descent in the MLB right now, there are still an incredible amount of phenomenal players, which raises the question, who is the best Japanese baseball player in 2025?
Players like Yu Darvish and Kenta Maeda have lit up the NPB and have played the game of baseball for over half of their lives, while up-and-coming sensation Kohei Arihara is shocking the world with his phenomenal talent and promise. Of course, there is one player who stands above the rest as quite possibly the best baseball player of all time, the legendary Shohei Ohtani. Ohtani has revolutionized the game of baseball and helped his Japanese brethren learn and excel in the sport. While Ohtani may widely be considered the best, there are plenty of other amazing Japanese baseball players who are right on his tale for superstardom.
Acknowledging and appreciating such an exceptional array of Japanese baseball players serves as a reminder that talent knows no boundaries or limitations. The brilliance exhibited by these athletes transcends cultural differences and unites fans from all walks of life under one common love – the great game of baseball. As the sport continues to evolve and grow, there's no doubt that future generations will be further inspired by these trailblazers who have made an indelible impact on baseball history. As such, they stand as a testament to the sheer determination, hard work, and passion that define the best Japanese baseball players time and time again.
Vote up the best Japanese Baseball Players of 2025 and be sure to check out The Best Japanese MLB Players of All Time and The Greatest Baseball Players of All Time.
A hallmark of versatility and a sight to behold on the field, Shohei Ohtani stands out as an extraordinary baseball player. His prowess shines not just in his role as a batter, but also as a pitcher - a rare combination that only a handful of players in the history of the game have managed to perfect. Ohtani's batting style is a mix of power and precision, making him a constant threat to the opposing pitchers. On the mound, he flaunts a diverse range of pitches, each thrown with stellar control and formidable speed, creating a formidable matchup for even the most seasoned batters.
MLB Achievements
4× All-Star (2021–2024)
World Series champion (2024)
3× MVP (2021, 2023, 2024)
4× All-MLB First Team (2021–2024)
2× All-MLB Second Team (2021, 2022)
AL Rookie of the Year (2018)
3× Silver Slugger Award (2021, 2023, 2024)
2× Hank Aaron Award (2023, 2024)
2× Home run leader (2023, 2024)NPB Achievements
Japan Series champion (2016)
5× NPB All-Star (2013–2017)
Pacific League MVP (2016)
2× Pacific League Pitcher Best Nine (2015–2016)- Birthplace: Mizusawa, Japan
- Team: Los Angeles Dodgers
- Position: Pitcher
Seiya Suzuki, a baseball virtuoso whose skills at bat are simply unparalleled. Known for his discerning eye, Suzuki exhibits tremendous plate discipline, rarely falling prey to tricky pitches. His swing is a harmonious marriage of power and contact, often sending the ball soaring into the stands. Coupled with his impressive defensive skills in the outfield, characterized by his swift reflexes and accurate throws, Suzuki truly exemplifies what it means to be a top-tier Japanese baseball player.
NPB Achievements
5× Central League Golden Glove Award (2016, 2017, 2019–2021)
6× Best Nine Award (2016–2021)
5× NPB All-Star (2016–2019, 2021)
2× Central League Batting Champion (2019, 2021)
2× Central League OBP Leader (2019, 2021)- Birthplace: Arakawa, Japan
- Team: Chicago Cubs
- Position: Outfielder
- 3
Kodai Senga
Kodai Senga, another stellar pitcher, brings a unique flair to Japanese baseball. His dynamic pitching style, characterized by an array of baffling pitches, keeps batters guessing from the first inning to the last. Senga's fastball zips through the strike zone, while his forkball dives just as it nears the plate, leading to countless swings and misses. His unfathomable consistency and control, paired with his sharp pitch selection, make him one of the game's most potent weapons.
MLB Achievements
All-Star (2023)NPB Achievements
3× NPB All-Star (2013, 2017, 2019)
5× Japan Series champion (2015, 2017–2020)
2× Mitsui Golden Glove Award (2019, 2020)
- Birthplace: Gamagōri, Aichi, Japan
- Team: New York Mets
- Position: Pitcher
- 4
Kenta Maeda
Kenta Maeda, an ace pitcher known for his crafty and calculated approach on the mound. Maeda's pitching is characterized by his pinpoint accuracy, seemingly laser-guided pitches finding the strike zone every time. His varied repertoire, brimming with a healthy mix of fastballs, sliders, and changeups, leaves batters on their toes, constantly guessing what's coming next. Add to that his excellent fielding skills, and you have a player who can tilt the balance of any game in his favor.
MLB Achievements
All-MLB Second Team (2020)NPB Achievements
Japanese Triple Crown (2010)
5× NPB All-Star (2010, 2012–2015)
5× Mitsui Golden Glove Award (2010, 2012–2015)
2× Eiji Sawamura Award (2010, 2015)
2× Central League wins champion (2010, 2015)
NPB All-Star Game MVP (2012 Game 2)- Birthplace: Tadaoka, Osaka, Japan
- Team: Detroit Tigers
- Position: Pitcher
Yusei Kikuchi is a formidable presence on the mound, his towering stance enough to intimidate the toughest of hitters. His fastballs, known for their blistering speed, come at you like a bolt from the blue, while his off-speed pitches break just as the batter commits, leading to easy outs. Additionally, Kikuchi's adaptive style of play, where he can switch seamlessly between power and finesse depending on the situation, makes him a highly versatile pitcher. Grip, release, delivery - everything is fine-tuned to perfection when Kikuchi is on the mound.
MLB Achievements
All-Star (2021)NPB Achievements
3× NPB All-Star (2013, 2017–2018)- Birthplace: Morioka, Japan
- Team: Los Angeles Angels
- Position: Pitcher
- 6
Yuki Matsui
Yuki Matsui has carved out a name for himself as one of baseball's most dependable closers. His left-handed delivery is fast and tricky, often leaving batters struggling to predict his next move. Known for ending games with precision under pressure, Matsui’s strikeout ability is backed by remarkable command over his pitches. He's adept at reading hitters' weaknesses and tailoring his pitches accordingly—skills that are enhanced by his composure in high-stakes situations.
NPB Achievements
5× NPB All-Star (2015, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2022)
