DeNA BayStars Win Japan Series For First Time in 26 Years!

Yuri Karasawa

November 4, 2024

Congratulations to Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto on winning the World Series! In the Japan Series, after a pair of convincing wins by the SoftBank Hawks in Yokohama, the DeNA BayStars faced the daunting task of winning two of three games on the road just to stay alive. But they did more than that. Despite the Hawks’ dominant 52-21 home record coming into the series, the BayStars stunned the juggernauts, holding them scoreless for 26 consecutive innings and outscoring them 16-1 over three consecutive wins.

With the momentum fully on their side, DeNA clinched the Japan Series in Game 6 with an 11-2 trouncing in front of their home fans, securing their first championship since 1998 and just their third in franchise history. It was a true Cinderella story, as the BayStars pulled off one of the biggest upsets in NPB history, defeating a Hawks team that finished 20 games ahead in the regular season. Now, let’s dive into the details of Games 3-6.

After a strong Game 1 performance, veteran Kohei Arihara hoped to keep SoftBank’s season alive, but Yoshitomo Tsutsugo took him deep in the 2nd before Masayuki Kuwahara added a two-run single to make it 3-0. Arihara walked in a run in the 3rd to bring the deficit to four. Yuki Yanagita crushed a two-run bomb to dead center off Shinichi Ohnuki in the 4th, ending SoftBank’s 29-inning scoreless streak and cutting the lead in half, but DeNA didn’t let them seize the momentum.

The BayStars opened the floodgates in the 5th against Carter Stewart Jr. and Shunsuke Iwai as Kuwahara drew an RBI walk, Kouki Kajiwara hit an RBI single, Tyler Austin took an RBI hit by pitch, and Tsutsugo smacked a bases-clearing double to make it 10-2. Toshiro Miyazaki added a timely hit to cap off a seven-run inning. Kohei Morihara struck out Yanagita for the final out of the season.

SoftBank’s historically great lineup failed to deliver when it mattered most, and their pitching fell apart in the end, unable to contain DeNA’s relentless offense as the BayStars clinched their first Japan Series title in 26 years. DeNA out-scored SoftBank 27-3 in the final four games. Masayuki Kuwahara was named Japan Series MVP for making several great defensive plays in center and going 12 for 27 with one homer and nine RBIs in six games. Kenta Imamiya took the ‘Fighting Spirit’ award for the best player on the losing side.

Congratulations, Yokohama! What an end to the 2024 NPB season. Next week, it’s time for the Premier12 international baseball tournament!

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Japanese and Korean players who could play in MLB next season

Last offseason saw big moves from Japan and Korea, and this winter offers plenty of intrigue. We look at the players who could make the leap to MLB soon.

Jeffrey MayJeff_DiarioAS

Update: Nov 3rd, 2024 14:48 EST

The international pipeline to Major League Baseball continues to bring fresh excitement, and this offseason, several top players from Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) and Korea’s Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) could make the jump to MLB. Following a blockbuster season of international signings, including Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Shota Imanaga, and Shohei Ohtani, more standout players are eyeing the possibility of competing on baseball’s biggest stage.

Roki Sasaki

Right-Handed Pitcher, Chiba Lotte Marines

At just 22 years old, Roki Sasaki is already the hottest young pitcher in Japan. His velocity and control have MLB scouts talking about him as the next Shohei Ohtani-level signing. Known for his 102 mph fastball and devastating splitter, Sasaki brings both talent and youth to the table. If his team, the Chiba Lotte Marines, posts him this offseason, Sasaki will attract significant attention and likely spark a bidding war among teams like the Dodgers, Yankees, and Mets. Due to his age, though, he would fall under MLB’s international amateur signing rules, limiting the size of his initial contract.

Tomoyuki Sugano

Right-Handed Pitcher, Yomiuri Giants

Veteran right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano nearly joined MLB back in 2021, but a deal couldn’t be reached. Now, at 35, Sugano is ready to take another shot. This past season, he went 15-3 with a stellar 1.67 ERA, showing off his impressive control and pitching smarts. Teams looking for a reliable, seasoned starter - like the Padres or Giants - may find Sugano to be an excellent fit. His pinpoint accuracy and experience could lead to a smooth transition into an MLB rotation.

Kazuma Okamoto

First Baseman/Third Baseman, Yomiuri Giants

Kazuma Okamoto’s powerful bat has made him a sensation in Japan, and his home run in the 2023 World Baseball Classic’s gold medal game won’t be forgotten anytime soon. The 28-year-old slugger has averaged over 30 homers for the past seven seasons, proving he can consistently deliver power from the right side. While it’s uncertain if the Giants will post Okamoto this winter, he’s expected to attract suitors from power-hungry teams, with the Tigers being a possible destination as they’ve expanded their scouting efforts in Asia.

Shinnosuke Ogasawara

Left-Handed Pitcher, Chunichi Dragons

Lefty Shinnosuke Ogasawara might not be as hyped as Sasaki or Sugano, but he’s a solid NPB All-Star with a good track record. While he doesn’t boast the high strikeout rate of some MLB-bound pitchers, Ogasawara has shown versatility and an ability to adjust his approach. Some scouts see him as a strong candidate for the back end of an MLB rotation or as a bullpen option. While it’s unclear when his team will post him, the timing could hinge on how MLB clubs’ offseason pitching priorities shape up.

Hye-Seong Kim

Second Baseman, Kiwoom Heroes

Hye-Seong Kim brings elite defensive skills and a reliable bat to the table, making him an appealing option for MLB teams in need of an infielder. Known for his ability to make contact and his consistency at the plate - batting over .300 for four straight seasons - the 25-year-old has a disciplined, left-handed swing and could excel in an everyday role or as a utility player. The Dodgers, Red Sox, Giants, and Mariners are all reportedly interested, with the Dodgers already familiar with Kim after seeing him in action during the Seoul Series in March.

Pitchers from KBO

James Naile, Kyle Hart, Charlie Barnes, Enmanuel De Jesus, and Aaron Wilkerson

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Vaqueros defeated Toros in the return of baseball to Sincelejo

Nov 3, 2024

Nice Game for Dayan Frias

Last night, Vaqueros de Montería defeated Toros de Sincelejo 11-8, in twelve innings, in the first game between both teams in the 2024-2025 season of the 2024-2025 Colombian Professional Baseball League.

It was the first professional baseball game in the capital of Sucre in almost five years. The Sincelejo fans were up to the task and responded to the team's call, filling almost the entire new Estadio 20 de Enero, despite a Primera A game being played at the Arturo Cumplido Sierra stadium at the same time.

Carlos Herrera put the Vaqueros ahead 1-0 with a home run in the first inning. But the Toros tied the score in the second inning when shortstop Franklin Torres was unable to catch a ground ball hit by Jhon Torres and that allowed the runner on third base to score. In the third inning, the Sincelejo team scored six times, three of those runs were thanks to a home run by Welington Dotel to right field.

With that wide advantage, Toros manager Eddie Dennis took out his starter Luis Pérez. Vaqueros took advantage of that to get closer to 7-5. The runs were scored against Sincelejo native Kener Pérez, who allowed a home run by Osman Marval, who played for Toros in the 2018-2019 season, and against Ángel Vilches.

Since the aforementioned six-run rally, the Toros' bats cooled off, while the Vaqueros' bats managed to tie the score 7-7 in the top of the eighth by stepping on the plate twice. That damage was caused by the pitches of Dominican reliever Pedro Alfonseca.

That parity lasted until the twelfth inning, when the Vaqueros took advantage of the lack of control of the relievers.

BOXSCORE

https://col.wbsc.org/es/events/2024-lig ... ore/152773

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Montería. Vaqueros beat Toros de Sincelejo again, this time 9 runs to 1,

Nov 4, 2024

Dayan Frias was 0-3 with 1 walk, 1k, and 2 runs scored.

Montería. Vaqueros beat Toros de Sincelejo again, this time 9 runs to 1, in a 18 de Junio ​​Stadium that was packed with the best fans in Colombian baseball.

Caimanes de Barranquilla defeated Leones de Barranquilla 6 runs to 2. This match was the debut of both in the 2024-2025 season.

This result allowed the Monteria team to place itself in first place in the standings and also leaves good feelings in its first two outings in the 2024-2025 season, highlighting the players Brayan Buelvas and Andrés Angulo, who had a powerful batting against a weak Toros defense.

BOXSCORE

https://col.wbsc.org/es/events/2024-lig ... ore/152742

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Bracho had a brief spell as a pretty serious prospect, but his glory days ended when he got to full season ball.