NPB → MLB Posting Tracker
Every NPB player linked to an MLB move — current-season form, three-year trends, scouting context and a sourced news timeline. Stats update daily; context is curated by hand with sources.
Updated: August 26, 2026 (JST)
WatchRumoredExpectedPostedSigned
Headliners
Players widely expected to move to MLB after the 2026 season
| Year | Team | G | W | L | SV | HLD | IP | BB | SO | ERA |
|---|
| 2024 | Fighters | 26 | 14 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 176.1 | 39 | 161 | 2.65 |
| 2025 | Fighters | 27 | 14 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 196.2 | 29 | 195 | 2.52 |
| 2026 | Fighters | 22 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 143.2 | 33 | 139 | 3.19 |
The 2025 Sawamura Award winner and the headliner of the 2026-27 posting class. A durable workhorse with a deep pitch mix, elite competitiveness and heavy annual workloads for Hokkaido Nippon-Ham. US reports have drawn stylistic comparisons to Sonny Gray. MLB comp (per reports): Sonny Gray.
Posting outlook: The Fighters are expected to make him available via the posting system after the 2026 season.
- 2026-03-30MLB Trade Rumors: Ito expected to be posted for MLB teams next winter — MLB Trade Rumors
Full career stats (1950–2026 coverage) →
| Year | Team | G | PA | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | wOBA |
|---|
| 2024 | Tigers | 120 | 496 | 16 | 70 | 0 | 36 | 133 | .268 | .327 | .439 | .766 | .347 |
| 2025 | Tigers | 139 | 597 | 40 | 102 | 10 | 57 | 163 | .277 | .345 | .579 | .924 | .409 |
| 2026 | Tigers | 112 | 477 | 30 | 82 | 6 | 57 | 125 | .320 | .400 | .627 | 1.028 | .453 |
The reigning Central League MVP after a 40-homer 2025 that led Hanshin to a pennant. Left-handed power that plays to all fields, with improved defense at third base. US reports have floated Ryan O'Hearn as a stylistic comp for his offensive profile. MLB comp (per reports): Ryan O'Hearn.
Posting outlook: Hanshin are reportedly prepared to post him after the 2026 season.
- 2026-07-24Mets scouts recently watched Sato (and Hiroto Saiki) in person, per Athlon Sports — Athlon Sports (via Yahoo)
- 2026-03-30MLB Trade Rumors: Sato expected to be posted for MLB teams next winter — MLB Trade Rumors
Full career stats (1950–2026 coverage) →
| Year | Team | G | W | L | SV | HLD | IP | BB | SO | ERA |
|---|
| 2024 | Tigers | 25 | 13 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 167.2 | 38 | 137 | 1.83 |
| 2025 | Tigers | 24 | 12 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 157.0 | 44 | 122 | 1.55 |
| 2026 | Tigers | 20 | 7 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 124.0 | 24 | 150 | 2.76 |
Mid-90s fastball with a devastating forkball and multiple sub-2.00 ERA seasons for Hanshin. Impressed MLB audiences with a strong showing against the Dodgers in the 2025 Tokyo Series. Considered one of the most MLB-ready arms in NPB.
Posting outlook: Requested to be posted after 2025 but Hanshin said no. Whether the club relents after 2026 is the key question — MLB teams are clearly preparing for it.
- 2026-07-24Mets scouts recently watched Saiki (and Teruaki Sato) in person, per Athlon Sports — Athlon Sports (via Yahoo)
- 2026-01-15JapanBall names Saiki among the next wave of NPB-to-MLB candidates — JapanBall
- 2025-11-09Hanshin denied Saiki's request to be posted for MLB teams last offseason — Daily Sports (JP)
Full career stats (1950–2026 coverage) →
Next Wave
Names on candidate lists — a move within the next couple of offseasons is plausible
| Year | Team | G | W | L | SV | HLD | IP | BB | SO | ERA |
|---|
| 2024 | Carp | 23 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 151.2 | 29 | 98 | 2.55 |
| 2025 | Carp | 22 | 6 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 152.1 | 37 | 92 | 2.48 |
| 2026 | Carp | 17 | 6 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 100.2 | 36 | 85 | 3.84 |
Former Rookie of the Year and a model of consistency in the Hiroshima rotation — a low-90s fastball he commands well, a hammer curve and a complete-game workload profile that NPB rewards.
Posting outlook: Named in English-language "next wave" coverage; no timeline reported.
- 2026-01-15JapanBall: Morishita mentioned among future NPB-to-MLB candidates — JapanBall
Full career stats (1950–2026 coverage) →
| Year | Team | G | PA | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | wOBA |
|---|
| 2024 | BayStars | 133 | 561 | 23 | 74 | 11 | 37 | 59 | .294 | .346 | .491 | .837 | .377 |
| 2025 | BayStars | 93 | 391 | 16 | 49 | 3 | 16 | 76 | .277 | .325 | .475 | .800 | .357 |
| 2026 | BayStars | 78 | 344 | 22 | 54 | 2 | 29 | 60 | .293 | .372 | .576 | .948 | .424 |
A rare power-hitting second baseman — perennial .290-plus average with 20-homer pop for the BayStars and a leadership role well beyond his age. The offensive bar at second base makes his profile interesting to MLB clubs. Missed about six weeks in April–May 2026 with a hamstring strain before returning in early June.
Posting outlook: Named in English-language "next wave" coverage; no timeline reported.
- 2026-01-15JapanBall: Maki mentioned among future NPB-to-MLB candidates — JapanBall
Full career stats (1950–2026 coverage) →
| Year | Team | G | W | L | SV | HLD | IP | BB | SO | ERA |
|---|
| 2024 | Lions | 22 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 9 | 48.2 | 21 | 43 | 1.66 |
| 2025 | Lions | 54 | 4 | 2 | 31 | 8 | 52.2 | 21 | 53 | 1.71 |
| 2026 | Lions | 19 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 117.0 | 42 | 109 | 1.46 |
One of the hardest throwers in NPB — an upper-90s fastball out of a compact frame, with experience both as a dominant closer and as a converted starter for Seibu. The two-way (rotation/bullpen) flexibility is part of the appeal.
Posting outlook: Has publicly expressed MLB ambitions; named in English-language "next wave" coverage.
- 2026-01-15JapanBall: Taira mentioned among future NPB-to-MLB candidates — JapanBall
Full career stats (1950–2026 coverage) →
Watch List
Players scouts are tracking — timeline unclear due to eligibility, intent or injury
| Year | Team | G | W | L | SV | HLD | IP | BB | SO | ERA |
|---|
| 2024 | Buffaloes | 20 | 7 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 141.2 | 22 | 139 | 1.91 |
| 2025 | Buffaloes | 23 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 150.1 | 30 | 165 | 2.39 |
| 2026 | Buffaloes | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 13.1 | 3 | 17 | 4.05 |
Arguably the most polished left-hander in NPB — a plus changeup, advanced command and consistent run prevention for Orix since age 19. Lacks premium velocity but wins with sequencing and deception. Left his April 9 start with elbow trouble and had Tommy John surgery in May; he is targeting a return in 2027.
Posting outlook: Underwent Tommy John surgery in May 2026 and is out for the season — a posting is on hold until he proves healthy. Orix have posted stars before (Yoshinobu Yamamoto).
- 2026-05-20Orix announce Miyagi has undergone Tommy John surgery in the US; out for the season — Full-Count (JP)
- 2026-01-15JapanBall lists Miyagi among likely future posting candidates — JapanBall
Full career stats (1950–2026 coverage) →
| Year | Team | G | W | L | SV | HLD | IP | BB | SO | ERA |
|---|
| 2024 | Marines | 23 | 7 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 147.1 | 38 | 148 | 3.05 |
| 2025 | Marines | 24 | 9 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 160.2 | 50 | 161 | 2.63 |
| 2026 | Marines | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7.2 | 0 | 7 | 0.00 |
Strikeout-first right-hander for Lotte whose splitter generates elite whiff rates. Came back stronger from Tommy John surgery and has posted some of the best K% marks among NPB starters. Ruptured his left Achilles tendon in late April 2026 and underwent surgery, ending his season.
Posting outlook: Ruptured his left Achilles in April 2026 and had season-ending surgery — an MLB move is on hold until he shows he is all the way back.
- 2026-04-30Marines announce Taneichi has had surgery for a ruptured left Achilles tendon — Chiba Lotte Marines (official)
- 2026-01-15JapanBall: Taneichi mentioned among future NPB-to-MLB candidates — JapanBall
Full career stats (1950–2026 coverage) →