Dodgers Visit Shoki Oda in Japan for 3-Hour Recruiting Meeting
Three Los Angeles Dodgers representatives met 18-year-old Japanese pitcher Shoki Oda at Yokohama High School on Nov. 14. Vice president Galen Carr called him the best 18-year-old pitcher in the world, as a looming MLB lockout could delay any signing.
The Dodgers visit Shoki Oda at Yokohama High School in Japan produced one of the strongest endorsements yet in the 18-year-old pitcher's recruitment. Los Angeles sent three representatives to meet the right-hander on Nov. 14, local time, as he weighs a move straight to the United States.
Dodgers vice president of player personnel Galen Carr told reporters he considers Oda the best 18-year-old pitcher in the world. He also called him the most talented pitcher to come out of Japan since Roki Sasaki.
Who attended the meeting
Carr was joined by adviser Yogo Suzuki and scout Toru Sugiura. Oda was accompanied by his mother and Yokohama High baseball coach Hiroaki Murata.
Japanese news reports put the meeting at between two and a half and more than three hours. Reports noted that Oda's talks with other major-league organizations ran one to two hours.
Carr said he told Oda that if he signs with the Dodgers, the club would build a development plan designed specifically for him. He stressed regular communication as pitcher and club work toward the majors.
A crowded field of suitors
The Dodgers were the eighth MLB organization to visit Oda, according to Sponichi. The Yankees met him on Nov. 11, and a total of 12 clubs were expected to visit by Nov. 17.
Oda is also known to have met with the Rangers, Blue Jays, Phillies, Mets, Cardinals and Tigers. His fastball has reached 157 kilometers per hour, about 98 mph.
The Yomiuri Giants took him in the first round of the Japanese draft. Oda has said he remains focused on the United States and did not attend the Giants' school visit earlier in the week.
Industry-wide, the Dodgers are favorites to sign him. Oda is represented by the management company that handled the moves of Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Sasaki to the majors. He has said Yamamoto is his favorite baseball player.
Lockout looms over any deal
Timing could complicate things. The international player acquisition system is collectively bargained, and baseball's current collective-bargaining agreement expires on Dec. 1. Franchise owners are expected to lock out the players at that point.
Oda could not sign until a new agreement is ratified. He has not announced a decision.
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