Shoki Oda may bypass Yomiuri Giants for MLB pursuit

MLB commentator Ryoichi Fukushima has asserted that Yokohama High School pitcher Shoki Oda is unlikely to join the Yomiuri Giants, despite the team selecting him as their first-round draft pick. Oda, who has a top speed of 157 km/h, previously held a press conference expressing his intention to challenge Major League Baseball.

Fukushima suggested that the New York Yankees might make a significant move to acquire Oda, potentially offering a contract in the range of $3 million. This speculation follows the Yankees' previous unsuccessful attempt to sign South Korean pitcher Ha Hyun-seung with a similar offer. Fukushima noted that if Oda successfully transitions directly to the United States, it could pave a new path for future Japanese players to pursue MLB careers immediately.