Each year, players from Japan, Korea, and all over the world look to ramp up their service times to pursue dreams of an MLB opportunity. Chunichi Dragons left-handed pitcher Shinnosuke Ogasawara has signed with WME Agency in hopes of landing an MLB contract.
Ogasawara, 26, has had a unique 2024 season. So far, through 23 starts, the southpaw owns a 5-11 record, posting a 2.99 ERA while only striking out 81 batters in 141.2 innings pitched. He has only allowed nine home runs all year and has only walked 20 batters.
He made his NPB debut with the Chunichi Dragons at just 18 years old in 2016. Throughout his nine-year NPB career, Ogasawara holds a record of 46-65, a 3.61 ERA in 160 starts, two complete-game shutouts, striking out 756 batters over 948.1 innings of work. He was named an NPB All-Star in 2023.
WME Agency also represents Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Yariel Rodriguez and Stanford first baseman Rintaro Sasaki. It will be intriguing to see when he will be posted and which MLB teams will be in need of a starter this offseason.
