With almost two months until the WBSC Premier12 Tournament, so much talent will be on display for all 12 teams participating. One team in particular that will have the most fans’ attention will be Samurai Japan. One key player who could anchor the rotation this fall could be southpaw Hiroya Miyagi.
Miyagi is just 23 years old and is playing some of his best baseball right now. He is currently a member of the Orix Buffaloes, where he is the ace of their rotation. So far, in 16 starts this season, Miyagi has posted a 5-8 record and a 2.10 ERA, striking out 110 batters through 111.2 innings while only walking 18 batters. Miyagi made his NPB debut at just 18 years old in 2020, also with the Buffaloes.
He also pitched for the 2023 World Baseball Classic Champions, Samurai Japan. In the tournament, Miyagi pitched in only one game, but he impressed in five innings of work on the mound, striking out seven batters and locking down a save against Team Czech Republic, winning 10-2.
Many expect Miyagi to represent Samurai Japan as their ace for the Premier12 Tournament, which other players had represented Japan in the past. In 2019, we saw Shota Imanaga pitch in the tournament alongside Yoshinobu Yamamoto and former MLB reliever Shun Yamaguchi. Seiya Suzuki and Masataka Yoshida were also part of the 2019 WBSC team. This tournament is a great opportunity for international players to showcase their skills, as many hope to explore the possibility of playing at the MLB level.
Japan will look to repeat as champions in the WBSC Premier12 Tournament. In 2019, they defeated Korea in the final, winning 5-3. Japan will host Australia for the inaugural game at the Vantelin Dome Nagoya on Wednesday, November 13. We will have to see who Japan decides to bring with them as they get ready for the completion in two months.
Photo Credit: Japan’s Hiroya Miyagi pitches during the World Baseball Classic. (Photo by Yuichi YAMAZAKI / AFP) (Photo by YUICHI YAMAZAKI/AFP via Getty Images)
