Found this really interesting! This doesn’t happen often, if ever. Still super early as he wouldn’t play until the 2027 College Season but usually Japanese players play in Nippon Professional Baseball (Japan’s MLB) before asking to be posted to MLB. If his plans go through, this would be a fun recruitment to watch.
 

A year at a US college would make him eligible for the MLB draft without NPB. It should be noted that he can be drafted to NPB in 2026 so I wonder if a college NIL offer would need to rival a NPB Contract. Either way it will probably bring huge fanfare/revenue to whatever University he chooses.

Why can’t MLB draft him now?

7 minutes ago, ClubWhatever said:

Why can’t MLB draft him now?

From what I understand, Japan has special rules set in place with MLB so their NPB talent pool isn’t drained too fast.

The MLB Draft can only draft from US, US Territories and Canada.

I was wondering why he isn’t considered an International free agent (like signing a  player from the DR). But apparently in order to become an international free agent in Japan, they must first be NPB players for 9 years OR they can request to be posted by their team. 

From MLB Website:

“Players that accrue nine years of service time in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball or the Korea Baseball Organization are considered free agents. Such players are eligible to pursue opportunities in any league, including Major League Baseball, without being subjected to the Korean or Japanese posting systems.”

i've always seen Japanese players have to be bid on by MLB teams, i believe it's a blind bid as well.

Edited December 15, 2025Dec 15 by Rocky P

@Blake Munroe  have you heard about this?  Any noise with texas?