Japan's Top Pitcher With 7-Pitch Arsenal Coming to MLB

He was the winner of Japan's equivalent of the Cy Young award, and it appears that Hiromi Itoh will be coming to the major leagues for next season. The 29-year-old has a seven-pitch arsenal and would be an intriguing addition to any team's pitching staff.

Per ESPN's Jorge Castillo, "Itoh is expected to become the next Japanese star pitcher to make the jump to the majors, and clubs are preparing for him to be among the free agent mix next offseason."

Pitching for the Nippon Ham Fighters, Itoh posted a 14-8 record in 2025 with a 2.52 ERA, while leading the NPB with 195 strikeouts in a robust 196⅔ innings. He won the Sawamura Award, which is actually more prestigious than the Cy Young, as it only honors the very top pitcher in Japan (unlike the NL & AL versions of the Cy Young), AND it isn't handed out every year. Only when they really feel that a pitcher is worthy.

Japan's top pitcher Hiromi Itoh will be a 'high-end' MLB free agent next offseason

One AL scout told Castillo that he expects Itoh to be a "high-end" free agent with plenty of MLB suitors. He has terrific control, rarely walks anyone, and is very durable.

Itoh pitched in Japan's 8-6 win over Korea in World Baseball Classic pool play last week, allowing just one hit (albeit a home run) with six strikeouts and no walks over three innings.

Also likely coming to North America next year is 40-home run slugger Teruaki Sato. The 27-year-old "has huge power" according to an MLB scout, and he added 102 RBIs to his 40 long balls this past season. He posted a .924 OPS. Sato plays third base and the outfield.