Japanese left-hander Masataka Yoshida (30), who signed a contract with Boston ahead of this season, is a player whose controversy has not ceased from the time he signed the contract until now. Many admit that he is a good hitter, but the point of debate is whether he is worth investing $100 million including posting money.
Yoshida, who was one of the best hitters in Nippon Professional Baseball, signed a five-year, $90 million contract. As he is in his 30s, his first two to three years of offensive production are likely to make or break this contract. First of all, expectations for the season were raised by showing impressive performances in the World Baseball Classic (WBC), which was held prior to the season. In his first 7 games of the season, a batting average of .250, 1 home run, 6 RBIs, and an OPS (on-base percentage + slugging percentage) of 0.737 starts.
If so, will Yoshida be worth the money? Jim Borden, who served as general manager in Washington and Cincinnati and is currently a columnist for the North American sports media ‘The Athletic’, said on the 8th (Korean time), “The Red Sox gave Yoshida $90 million for 5 years, and my first impression was It means that the money was well spent”, revealing a positive gaze.
“His tremendous bat-to-ball skills, great at-bat patience, and incredible strength to his frame,” Borden said. His hitting tools are unquestionable and he can hit .300 with no shift.”
Numerous Asian beasts have challenged the major leagues, but few have hit 30% in the major leagues. Ichiro Suzuki, who was called the ‘hitting master’, broke the 30% barrier several times, and Choo Shin-soo (SSG), regarded as the best fielder in Korean history, occupied the 30% mark twice. Hideki Matsui only recorded 30% once.
After that, the closest player was Aoki Norichika, but he only hit the wall at 0.290 and eventually failed to become a .30 hitter. Shohei Otani (LA Angels),스포츠토토 who hit home runs, was also far from 30%, and Ha-seong Kim (San Diego), one of the best hitters in the KBO League, and Seiya Suzuki (Chicago Cubs), who was called a Japanese baseball genius, were the same. In fact, there are only a few hitters who hit .300 every season in the major leagues.
If Yoshida hits 300, he will become the first Asian 300 hitter since Ichiro and Choo Shin-soo. Boston hopes. “He’s the player we hoped for,” Boston baseball chief executive Chris Bloom told Borden. “We know we shouldn’t judge everything by the first four games.” Despite hitting 50% and 40% against left-handed pitchers, he only struck out once. The defense was solid,” he said, expressing his belief.