Japanese players increasingly join MLB, risking NPB's future
Shohei Ohtani is a leading player in Major League Baseball, highlighting the success of Japanese talent in the U.S. However, concerns arise as young stars like Rintaro Sasaki and Shotaro Morii bypass Japan's pro league to join American teams directly. Sasaki is now at Stanford, while Morii signed a minor league contract with the Athletics. This trend of skipping Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) could impact the future of baseball in Japan, as more players seek opportunities in the U.S. Despite these changes, NPB remains confident in its popularity, citing strong local support and recent successes. MLB officials also express a desire for players to develop in their home leagues, emphasizing the importance of nurturing local talent.