Yuki Yanagita is known as a five-tool player. He definitely has impressed in the international stage, hopefully one day he comes over the MLB. Also it’s “Fighters” not “Ham Fighters”. Nippon Ham is the team’s parent organization. It’s a common mistake to call them Ham Fighters, instead of Fighters. I’d call them the Royals of the NPB
They are more like the tampa bays rays and marlins combined, always bringing up great talent and then having it taken away, but Uwesawa, and Kondo are better than Nakata right now. Although not sure how good Uwesawa will be after his injury last year. Love seeing him pitch hoping for a strong return.
Yanagita somewhat recently signed a 7-year deal with the SoftBank Hawks. He's not going anywhere. Not to mention, the Hawks have refused to post him, and by the time he's an international free agent at the end of this season (if there is a season - if not, then after 2021), he will be too old to be taken seriously by MLB teams.
Keep the NPB content going. I'm a Yomiuri Giants fan simply because I'm a SF Giants fan. Makes sense. Definitely go into leagues of other countries as well. South Korea, Taiwan, Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Cuba, etc...
Agree with Seiya Suzuki (Carp), Tetsuto Yamada (Swallows), Dayan Viciedo (Dragons), Neftali Soto (BayStars, though they have some solid pitchers too). Especially with Suzuki; I see American media outlets listing Yamada as the next big Japanese import but for me it's Suzuki. He's constantly been in the NPB top 3 in wRC+ for the past 4 seasons (led the league in 2019), quick on the base paths, and is overall an agile athlete. He's also 2 years younger than Yamada. - Lotte like you said isn't really the best team and they don't really have consistently great players (even Laird was slightly above league average with his bat in 2018, wandering around the 'decent' zone thru 16-17 with the Fighters). I could've arugued Daichi Suzuki is up with Laird but sadly he became an FA and moved to Rakuten. - Sho Nakata is definitely the star for the Fighters but I'd argue Kensuke Kondo's the best player for them. Not known for his power but imo he’s better offensively than Nakata overall (has an OPS over .850 through the past 3 seasons). He's not the best defender out there but Nakata's primarily a 1B too so... - Age could be starting to hit Yuki Yanagita but oh boy was he a pleasure to watch in his best years (he had a wRC+ over 200 in 2018 so I think he'd still be around the top 3 if 2020 was played out properly). I still believe he could've surpassed Hideki Matsui's 2004 batting numbers if he went to the States in his prime, but sadly he was a bit injury prone. Anyways, I would also give a shoutout to his teammate Kodai Senga. It's a bit tricky comparing positional players to pitchers but Senga's arguably the best starter in the NPB right now. - I like Adam Jones too but even though the NPB is a tier below the MLB, I'm not so sure if he can immediately top Masataka Yoshida's offense after being average to below average in the MLB for the past 3 years (Yoshida has had 2 consecutive seasons with a wRC+ over 160). Yoshida isn't really known for his glove either but Jones' declining defense would hurt him too. Also SP Yoshinobu Yamamoto had a breakout season in 2019, he's someone to keep an eye on. - Yamakawa is great but the Lions have Tomoya Mori too... best offensive catcher in the NPB, fell behind Masataka Yoshida in park adjusted stats but he was the Pacific League leader in BA, OPS, wOBA in 2019. His defense hurts his overall value a bit and Yamakawa’s been more consistent over the past 3 years, but Mori’s a great pick too. - Jabari Blash had A+ offensive numbers along with his A+ name in 2019 but considering he was almost a full-time DH, his teammate Hideto Asamura can be a candidate too with his elite offense while almost playing full time as a 2B. - Dunno about Bour... sure there's been low contact high power MLB (MiLB) guys who rejuvenated their career in Japan but at the same time there's guys who completely flopped or were just meh (Wilin Rosario is a recent example). Can't say anything yet. But yeah Hanshin doesn't really have standout picks. I’d list 3B Yusuke Ohyama (average bat and elite glove), RF Yoshio Itoi (still putting up good offense at the age of 38), C Ryutaro Umeno (average bat + position) as candidates for positional players. Also Yuki Nishi is a solid starter, I think he’d be my pick. - Hayato Sakamoto is probably the pick for me too, but Yoshihiro Maru is also a pretty good CF (albeit having a down year in 2019). Another guy who had a rough time in '19, Tomoyuki Sugano was the ace for the 2017 Japanese WBC team and still is one of the best starters in the NPB (I'd like to believe 2019 was just a down year). Anyways, thanks for picking the NPB up for your vid! The league could use more attention from the States.
Japanese NPB fan here. Here’s two reasons why Sakamoto has added so much power last year. 1. Sakamoto really made adjustment with his swing. He usually had to pull the ball to get over the fence, but last year, he was capable of using whole field for homers. Tokyo Dome (Giants home field) being hitter friendly also helped the cause. 2. Giants signed Yoshihiro Maru via FA last year, one of the best hitter in NPB. Typical Giants lineup from last year had Sakamoto hitting 2nd and Maru hitting 3rd so with Maru on deck, Sakamoto got to see more pitches in the strike zone last year.
Got some cool footage from the game. The league is fun and the celebrations during the game are awesome. They have multiple chants and they did a celebration with a bunch of umbrellas. I gotchu for any footage.
Quick search: Sakamoto has always had many 2Bs, and reached career 2000 at 31yrs 10mos (youngest record in NPB). As a left handed person hitting as a righty, his home runs used to be more towards the left, but he’s been working on hitting to the right, as well as long tees (don’t know what it’s called in English - when you’re tossed a ball from close range and aim to hit distance). Plus since 2019, he’s started to hit before a power hitter, and he’s been getting more strike zone balls pitched at him. He also changed weight balance fifty-fifty on right and left leg to 90% -10% back leg to front leg, leaving most weight on his back leg (advice from Matsui temp coach in 2016). He’s also incorporating new training to strengthen this stance from 2019.
Mark might know this now but I'll just talk about it for viewers, Masahiro Tanaka was a Rakuten Golden Eagle and he and Andruw Jones won a championship there together. Kevin Youkilis went to the Golden Eagles the year Tanaka signed with the Yankees.
Great Video! Keep up the good work. if Possible, Please do a video on the Stadiums in Japan, like Quirks & Features, Dimensions and Fun Factor. Thank You for all the Cool videos.
If you ever come to Tokyo, I'll be glad to go to a game with you, I know you played baseball your whole life so you have to try out the batting cage, they are unreal. As for the baseball games themselves, the atmosphere is electric. And you definitely have to check out the MLB Cafe at the Tokyo Dome. Bro, you will never want to leave once you step inside. Also, while in Tokyo, a lot of people do speak English so you'll likely be ok but if ever in doubt, I got you because I do speak Japanese. Lastly, how about Subway Series in Japan for us, so that should tell you who my MLB team is if you're cool with that haha.
Great video, Maybe you could a video of the best pitchers in the NPB, that would be awesome 😎, by the way for example, for the SoftBank Hawks it would be Kodai Senga
Bold of you to assume Adam Jones would be better than Yoshida, but I'm saying this with the benefit of hindsight. A lot of former Major/Minor Leaguers succeed but even more flop over in NPB. Granted, getting someone who was in the Majors that recently is not so common, but you still never know how they adjust. I see where you were coming from but in the end it wasn't a prediction that aged too well. And Jerry Sands was the best player for Tigers, hands down.
I love this since I live in Japan and while I would consider the Giants my favorite team there because my grandparents were Giants fans and so was my mom before I was born, I'll root for them too but I still never got nearly as into it as Major League Baseball.
Relatively new to the channel. Have you watched any foreign baseball games? I would love to go to a game in Japan one day and experience it for myself.
I loved this video. You should do this for the Korean professional baseball league KBO, and the Chinese professional baseball league CPBL. I would love to see who you think is the best Hitters and Pitchers.
Can you please do the best players for the CBS (Cuban National Series) and KBO League (Korea Baseball Organization). For Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks it would be Yurisbel Gracial or Alfredo Despaigne.
You should make a video about the Pennsylvania Road Warriors. The play in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball and they're one of the only sports teams that I know of that have NO HOME STADIUM. They literally always play on the road! I think this could make a great video :)
korean baseball next? my mom is a massage therapist and Worked on a guy named Eric Yolkish (not sure if i spelled it right) who is a pitcher who was with the cubs in the minor leaugues and went to Korea (not sure what team)
That's a solid idea for a vid!
Hi MLB
I Snipe Bardownski i doubt mlb really needs your sub😂
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Thank you baseball
Sup
He should do this league with their Jersey’s
Go Sixers
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Yuki Yanagita is known as a five-tool player. He definitely has impressed in the international stage, hopefully one day he comes over the MLB. Also it’s “Fighters” not “Ham Fighters”. Nippon Ham is the team’s parent organization. It’s a common mistake to call them Ham Fighters, instead of Fighters. I’d call them the Royals of the NPB
Christpher Roman today was supposed to be the super clasico
My boy Yoshida will bring the Fighters back to glory
They are more like the tampa bays rays and marlins combined, always bringing up great talent and then having it taken away, but Uwesawa, and Kondo are better than Nakata right now. Although not sure how good Uwesawa will be after his injury last year. Love seeing him pitch hoping for a strong return.
Yanagita somewhat recently signed a 7-year deal with the SoftBank Hawks. He's not going anywhere. Not to mention, the Hawks have refused to post him, and by the time he's an international free agent at the end of this season (if there is a season - if not, then after 2021), he will be too old to be taken seriously by MLB teams.
So calling them the ham-fighters would be like calling the royals the Kansas City-Royals
A video I’ve always wanted to see but never expected you to make lol Awesome vid, from a subscriber across the pacific!
Wakkyaisan!
わっきゃい!?
Minor league players: yay I’m so excited for the season
Covid 19: *im bout to end these mans whole careers (literally)*
Lmao 😂 , veterans about to retire:
Covid: imma about to end these bois Carreras
Japanese Players: We're gonna play and meet and have parties and stuff cause, you know, idc.
Covid 19: Imma get these men some bad comments.
DUDE, I just got into Japanese baseball during quarantine after never hearing about it. And now Mark out here making a fire vid about it!!
What i love too see almost all of the japanese clips are in full stadiums thays good for the game!
Yeah they love baseball in Japan, if you ever get a chance to make a trip over there it's definitely worth going to a game!
You should rate Triple AAA teams (stadiums, names, jerseys, etc.)
Imagine if Jabari Blash came back to the MLB and became a top player. That would be awesome.🐐
Isaac Truesdale he very well could his swing and mechanics look really well
Man I hope he does. That would be so amazing.
4:37 It’s Jabari Blash. The GOAT himself.
you should do one of these for triple a minor leagues
Geoff Jones that would just be every teams #1 prospect, right?
Aidan Norris no, some are moving up to the majors
You should do a NPB Stadiums video like what you did with the MLB Stadiums.
When he's showing Suzuki, bro there's a bullet train in the background.... At best in MLB you might have AMTRAK or Gray Hound bus in background.
Keep the NPB content going. I'm a Yomiuri Giants fan simply because I'm a SF Giants fan. Makes sense. Definitely go into leagues of other countries as well. South Korea, Taiwan, Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Cuba, etc...
We need more videos like this Marc! Great to see our beloved game growing internationally! Good stuff
Definitely need more NPB videos like this 💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽 Stadiums? Jerseys? The possibilities
Agree with Seiya Suzuki (Carp), Tetsuto Yamada (Swallows), Dayan Viciedo (Dragons), Neftali Soto (BayStars, though they have some solid pitchers too).
Especially with Suzuki; I see American media outlets listing Yamada as the next big Japanese import but for me it's Suzuki. He's constantly been in the NPB top 3 in wRC+ for the past 4 seasons (led the league in 2019), quick on the base paths, and is overall an agile athlete. He's also 2 years younger than Yamada.
- Lotte like you said isn't really the best team and they don't really have consistently great players (even Laird was slightly above league average with his bat in 2018, wandering around the 'decent' zone thru 16-17 with the Fighters). I could've arugued Daichi Suzuki is up with Laird but sadly he became an FA and moved to Rakuten.
- Sho Nakata is definitely the star for the Fighters but I'd argue Kensuke Kondo's the best player for them. Not known for his power but imo he’s better offensively than Nakata overall (has an OPS over .850 through the past 3 seasons). He's not the best defender out there but Nakata's primarily a 1B too so...
- Age could be starting to hit Yuki Yanagita but oh boy was he a pleasure to watch in his best years (he had a wRC+ over 200 in 2018 so I think he'd still be around the top 3 if 2020 was played out properly). I still believe he could've surpassed Hideki Matsui's 2004 batting numbers if he went to the States in his prime, but sadly he was a bit injury prone.
Anyways, I would also give a shoutout to his teammate Kodai Senga. It's a bit tricky comparing positional players to pitchers but Senga's arguably the best starter in the NPB right now.
- I like Adam Jones too but even though the NPB is a tier below the MLB, I'm not so sure if he can immediately top Masataka Yoshida's offense after being average to below average in the MLB for the past 3 years (Yoshida has had 2 consecutive seasons with a wRC+ over 160). Yoshida isn't really known for his glove either but Jones' declining defense would hurt him too. Also SP Yoshinobu Yamamoto had a breakout season in 2019, he's someone to keep an eye on.
- Yamakawa is great but the Lions have Tomoya Mori too... best offensive catcher in the NPB, fell behind Masataka Yoshida in park adjusted stats but he was the Pacific League leader in BA, OPS, wOBA in 2019. His defense hurts his overall value a bit and Yamakawa’s been more consistent over the past 3 years, but Mori’s a great pick too.
- Jabari Blash had A+ offensive numbers along with his A+ name in 2019 but considering he was almost a full-time DH, his teammate Hideto Asamura can be a candidate too with his elite offense while almost playing full time as a 2B.
- Dunno about Bour... sure there's been low contact high power MLB (MiLB) guys who rejuvenated their career in Japan but at the same time there's guys who completely flopped or were just meh (Wilin Rosario is a recent example). Can't say anything yet.
But yeah Hanshin doesn't really have standout picks. I’d list 3B Yusuke Ohyama (average bat and elite glove), RF Yoshio Itoi (still putting up good offense at the age of 38), C Ryutaro Umeno (average bat + position) as candidates for positional players.
Also Yuki Nishi is a solid starter, I think he’d be my pick.
- Hayato Sakamoto is probably the pick for me too, but Yoshihiro Maru is also a pretty good CF (albeit having a down year in 2019). Another guy who had a rough time in '19, Tomoyuki Sugano was the ace for the 2017 Japanese WBC team and still is one of the best starters in the NPB (I'd like to believe 2019 was just a down year).
Anyways, thanks for picking the NPB up for your vid! The league could use more attention from the States.
The best video ever!!
I grow up in Japan so this video made me miss NPB!!
Thanks Marc love it
How about a brief overview of NPB and each team? Or maybe a video on the KBO league?
Very educational! The more I learn about NPB the more I’m intrigued.
Please keep doing these NPB videos. I just got into this league during this time where sports are not happening.
I’d love to hear about NPB pitchers
I'm honestly excited for more videos like this. Do South Korea or a Central America country as well!
I’m all about learning more about the NPB
Another banger 🔥🔥🔥
I like this. I've been thinking about checking out the KBO cause of COVID-19.
@E-Jun Bae I'm going to. I'm starving for baseball rn.
5:31 That's actually a pretty cool logo that's kind of like the Dodgers.
Love it...NPB is amazing thanks for sharing
Love Softbank Hawks the most!More NPB video please
Jabari Blash has got to be here
Japanese NPB fan here. Here’s two reasons why Sakamoto has added so much power last year.
1. Sakamoto really made adjustment with his swing. He usually had to pull the ball to get over the fence, but last year, he was capable of using whole field for homers. Tokyo Dome (Giants home field) being hitter friendly also helped the cause.
2. Giants signed Yoshihiro Maru via FA last year, one of the best hitter in NPB. Typical Giants lineup from last year had Sakamoto hitting 2nd and Maru hitting 3rd so with Maru on deck, Sakamoto got to see more pitches in the strike zone last year.
Love this!! The worst part of Japanese Baseball is you can't keep the balls if they land in the stands..
This was a great idea please do best players from AAA teams
I'd love to see more videos about the NPB, especially your idea about a best pitchers video!
Keep doing this bro. Its awesome
Nice video Mark!
keep doing things like this
Great job Giraffe Neck Mark
Got some cool footage from the game. The league is fun and the celebrations during the game are awesome. They have multiple chants and they did a celebration with a bunch of umbrellas. I gotchu for any footage.
Great video. More content on the NPB would be awesome!
2:08 his swing reminds me of Shohei’s
Great vid. Would definitely like to see more.
Love this vid mark keep up the good work❤
Enjoyed this vid!
日本の野球を紹介していただけて嬉しいです！
I'm happy to watch this movie!
Quick search: Sakamoto has always had many 2Bs, and reached career 2000 at 31yrs 10mos (youngest record in NPB). As a left handed person hitting as a righty, his home runs used to be more towards the left, but he’s been working on hitting to the right, as well as long tees (don’t know what it’s called in English - when you’re tossed a ball from close range and aim to hit distance). Plus since 2019, he’s started to hit before a power hitter, and he’s been getting more strike zone balls pitched at him.
He also changed weight balance fifty-fifty on right and left leg to 90% -10% back leg to front leg, leaving most weight on his back leg (advice from Matsui temp coach in 2016).
He’s also incorporating new training to strengthen this stance from 2019.
Im a huge fan of NPB. Can you make a video about NPB mascot compilation?
Can you do this for the KBO and CPBL?
Ian KBO is great
Pls do a vid like this on the kbo, cause damn do they have insane clips
Love it! How about a deep dive in a few current or former players. My guy is Tyrone Woods.
best player from each KBO team would be cool
dae ho lee jkjk
My dad has a hat for the Hanshin Tigers.
Just wanted to say.
I know no one cares.
I should stop talking now.
Nah man, this is a baseball community not high school. I find it cool.
Your dad is the man. And every other Tigers fan will agree.
Why does he have it?
Love the vid. Keep it up
Love it. Yes. More NPB. Mama is from Osaka so I’m all in. Lol thanks
Great video!
Mark might know this now but I'll just talk about it for viewers, Masahiro Tanaka was a Rakuten Golden Eagle and he and Andruw Jones won a championship there together. Kevin Youkilis went to the Golden Eagles the year Tanaka signed with the Yankees.
Nice vid, definitely make more NPB videos
Great Video! Keep up the good work. if Possible, Please do a video on the Stadiums in Japan, like Quirks & Features, Dimensions and Fun Factor. Thank You for all the Cool videos.
We need more content like this!!
Can you make a video about the best pitcher on each NPB team
Thank You Marc!!! Let's go Japan and Asian Baseball players!!
This aged so well...that never happens
Love it! Glad to see you explore some top leagues outside of the US. Would love to see you do the same with the KBO (Korea)
IM FROM JAPAN AND USED TO WATCH NPB BEFORE COMING TO USA AND WATCH MLB!
DO MORE VIDS ON NPB!
YOU SHOULD DO JERSEYS VID IN NPB!
If you ever come to Tokyo, I'll be glad to go to a game with you, I know you played baseball your whole life so you have to try out the batting cage, they are unreal. As for the baseball games themselves, the atmosphere is electric. And you definitely have to check out the MLB Cafe at the Tokyo Dome. Bro, you will never want to leave once you step inside. Also, while in Tokyo, a lot of people do speak English so you'll likely be ok but if ever in doubt, I got you because I do speak Japanese. Lastly, how about Subway Series in Japan for us, so that should tell you who my MLB team is if you're cool with that haha.
WAs just going to write an article about this perfect source haha thanks.brotha
YES, more NPB videos please!
This bouta be lit. My guy Yuli Gurriel came from the BayStars so I got his jersey from there and the ‘Stros
Great video, Maybe you could a video of the best pitchers in the NPB, that would be awesome 😎, by the way for example, for the SoftBank Hawks it would be Kodai Senga
Bold of you to assume Adam Jones would be better than Yoshida, but I'm saying this with the benefit of hindsight. A lot of former Major/Minor Leaguers succeed but even more flop over in NPB. Granted, getting someone who was in the Majors that recently is not so common, but you still never know how they adjust. I see where you were coming from but in the end it wasn't a prediction that aged too well.
And Jerry Sands was the best player for Tigers, hands down.
More NPB! Maybe a history video?
How did he find the Japan 🇯🇵 league?
Imagine being Marc and getting mlb to comment on ur vid
Yes I want more npb content cause Jabari the goat blash
Ayyyy go giants! I’m a nats fan and I know nothing about them but that’s where Parra went so they r my favorite NPB team. Love and miss u baby shark!
Are u going to post about A-rod??
I love this since I live in Japan and while I would consider the Giants my favorite team there because my grandparents were Giants fans and so was my mom before I was born, I'll root for them too but I still never got nearly as into it as Major League Baseball.
Relatively new to the channel.
Have you watched any foreign baseball games?
I would love to go to a game in Japan one day and experience it for myself.
I'd love to see an NPB jersey video, some of the thirds are sick
Do the best pitchers in the NPB
You could maybe do the Korean baseball leauge too
KBO starts on may 6th or sth
Korea ( 한국 🇰🇷)
I loved this video. You should do this for the Korean professional baseball league KBO, and the Chinese professional baseball league CPBL. I would love to see who you think is the best Hitters and Pitchers.
Do a video on your opinion of the npb logos!!!
More Japanese baseball and other country coverage, good video
Can you do more of this content like this?
Can you please do the best players for the CBS (Cuban National Series) and KBO League (Korea Baseball Organization).
For Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks it would be Yurisbel Gracial or Alfredo Despaigne.
Yes more Japanese baseball!!!!
On April fools next year do the top 50 nba players
Can we get a Jabari update video?
Dang I forgot about Dayan Viciedo, I'd love to see him make a comeback here
Hey! I was in the same Jeff McNeil stream when we were both gifted subs and you beat him down in the show hahaha
Lets see a video on the KBO
Korean Baseball Organization
I think more NBP stuff would be really cool!
calling them the Ham Fighters is like calling your team the York Mets
You should make a video about the Pennsylvania Road Warriors. The play in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball and they're one of the only sports teams that I know of that have NO HOME STADIUM. They literally always play on the road! I think this could make a great video :)
Can you show your Jersey collection
korean baseball next? my mom is a massage therapist and Worked on a guy named Eric Yolkish (not sure if i spelled it right) who is a pitcher who was with the cubs in the minor leaugues and went to Korea (not sure what team)
Wow . You watch npb? I’m very glad
Were was Gerardo Para? 🦈🤏
After 2020 Nippon pro baseball gone be the new vibe