Pitcher Shintaro Fujinami announced via an interview with Sponichi that he will play in the Liga de Béisbol Profesional Roberto Clemente winter league in Puerto Rico. The 30-year-old Japanese-born right-hander spent 2023 between the Oakland Athletics and Baltimore Orioles before signing a one-year deal for 2024 with the New York Mets. His season was derailed due to a shoulder injury, and he did not get a chance to pitch in the big leagues this season. In playing in the LBPRC this winter, Fujinami hopes to earn another MLB opportunity in 2025.
Fujinami was the Hanshin Tigers’ number-one overall pick in the 2012 NPB Draft. He found success early in his NPB career as a starter. From 2013 to 2015, he made three straight NPB All-Star teams and won the All-Star game MVP.
Fujinami signed a one-year deal with the Oakland Athletics before the 2023 season, as his six-foot, six-inch frame and 102+ mile-per-hour fastball generated a lot of interest from multiple MLB clubs. Touted as a foreign pitcher with a history of success and high strikeout potential, Fujinami greatly struggled with the Athletics. They tried him out as a starter until moving him to the bullpen, but in 34 games for Oakland, he had an 8.57 ERA.
At the deadline, the Athletics traded Fujinami to the Baltimore Orioles for Easton Lucas. In a full-time bullpen role for Baltimore, Fujinami settled in but couldn’t fully find his full form. In 30 games for the Orioles, Fujinami had a 2-0 record and a 4.85 ERA while struggling with his control.
In hopes of getting back on track, Fujinami signed with the New York Mets before the 2024 season. He started the season in the minors but landed on the 60-day injured list early on while dealing with a shoulder injury. Fujinami pitched in four levels of the Mets minor league system while rehabbing but never made it to the Major League roster. He was designated for assignment by the Mets on July 26 and was outrighted to the Triple-A Syracuse Mets on July 30. He had a 6.68 ERA in 32 1/3 innings for Syracuse.
Still, with a desire to prove himself, Fujinami announced he would continue to look for a Major League opportunity and, in turn, showcase himself in the 2024 Puerto Rican Winter League. Time in Puerto Rico allows Fujinami to show MLB clubs what he can do when his arm is fully healthy. Being represented by Scott Boras, if Fujinami has a strong winter for a team in the LBPRC, it wouldn’t be surprising for him to be on an MLB roster in 2025.
Photo Credit: Shintaro Fujinami #19 of the New York Mets looks on during spring training workouts at Clover Park on February 16, 2024 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images)
