In 2013, Brazil made their first and only appearance in the World Baseball Classic. On that team was a 16-year-old kid born in Fujinomiya, Japan. Now, 11 years later, that same 16-year-old is finally back in the United States, one step closer to finally achieving his big league dreams.
Daniel Missaki came on in relief against Columbia in the 2013 World Baseball Classic Qualifier. He made quick work, retiring big leaguers Jolbert Cabrera and Luis Martinez, and Brazil would go on to qualify for the World Baseball Classic. Missaki only made one appearance during the tournament, but his journey to professional baseball had begun.
The odds were already stacked against Missaki. While he was born in Japan, he represents Brazil in international play. There have only been five Brazilian-born players who have reached the majors. However, that fact has become a motivation for him.
“One hundred percent that motivates me,” Missaki told World Baseball Network on September 18 about the lack of Brazilian-born MLB players.
Missaki signed with the Seattle Mariners after his appearance for the Brazilian team in 2013. He started off with the AZL Mariners in rookie ball before eventually being promoted to Single-A Clinton in 2015. After just six starts with Clinton, he underwent season-ending Tommy John surgery. He was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers following the 2015 season alongside current Brewers ace Freddy Peralta. Missaki missed the 2016 and 2017 seasons after another Tommy John surgery.
Despite attending spring training in 2018, Missaki would not pitch with a Brewers affiliate and was released on September 18, 2018.
While this could have easily been the end of the road for him, and the name “Daniel Missaki” would have just become another name in another MLB trade, he chose to keep chasing his dream.
“My family, my wife, my close friends… they are the ones that keep me going,” said Missaki.
Missaki signed a developmental contract with the Yomiuri Giants in the Nippon Professional Baseball League. He pitched for the club in 2021 and 2022. In 2023, he once again represented Brazil, this time during the Pan-American games.
At the 2023 Pan American Games, Brazil won the silver medal, the highest finish they’ve ever had in a global tournament.
“Being a part of that moment for the Brazil National Team was something that was an amazing feeling of accomplishment,” said Missaki.
Later that year, Missaki pitched in the Colombian Winter League. His team won the Serie Final, the league’s championship series, and he was named the Serie Final MVP after a complete-game shutout in the series-clinching game five.
Missaki signed with the Diablos Rojos of the Liga Mexicana de Beisbol in March 2024. Missaki made only five appearances for the Diablos Rojas, with a 1.50 ERA and ten strikeouts, before the Chicago Cubs signed him.
Nine years after his last appearance in the Minor Leagues, he took the mound for ACL Cubs on June 29. On July 3, he was assigned to Double-A Tennessee. He has played 16 games for Double-A Tennessee and even made three appearances with Triple-A Iowa, but he has already noticed a difference from when he was playing overseas.
“I feel like there’s definitely a difference in skill level from some of [the other leagues], but mostly I’d say the atmosphere is different,” said Missaki. “I definitely enjoy it, and it’s something I look forward to.”
On September 13, Missaki had a nine-strikeout game, working 4.1 innings, his longest outing of the season. However, the outing proved to be a moment of validation for Missaki.
“I think it showed me that I can be healthy. I can be a baseball player,” said Missaki.
In the 11 years since he signed with the Mariners, Missaki has pitched in the Arizona League, the Appalachian League, single-A, the Japanese Eastern League, the Colombian Winter League, the Venezuelan Summer League, the Pan American Games, the Baseball Challenge League, the Mexican League, and now Double-A and Triple-A.
After all of this, Missaki has a chance for a full circle moment. When Missaki was traded to the Brewers, the manager at the time was Craig Counsell. While Missaki never pitched for the Brewers, he is looking forward potentially playing for Counsell in the big leagues with the Cubs.
“I have not gotten a chance to speak with him since signing. I have not yet, but I am definitely looking forward to it,” said Missaki.
It is not easy to describe Missaki’s journey back to the majors from an outside perspective.
When World Baseball Network asked Missaki how he would describe his journey, he only needed one word: “Resilience.”
Photo Credit: Pitcher Daniel Missaki #13 of Brazil pitches during the World Baseball Classic First Round Group A game between China and Brazil at Fukuoka Yahoo! Japan Dome on March 5, 2013 in Fukuoka, Japan. (Photo by Adam Pretty/Getty Images)
