During the 2011 season I offered some possibilities on who might be the next pitcher to make the jump back to the MLB after reviving their career in Japan. Now I'm going to offer some possibilities at an even rarer feat of a position player returning the the MLB from Japan and their career takes off. The only two that qualify to date are Cecil Fielder and Alfonso Soriano although Soriano only played a handful of games in Japan to start his career before bolting for the States.
First up is outfielder Matt Murton of the Hanshin Tigers. In 2011 he hit .311/.339/.423 with 13 home runs, 60 RBI, 66 runs and 6 steals in 142 games. In his Major League career with the Rockies, Athletics and Cubs he hit .286/.352/.436 with 29 home runs, 112 RBI, 134 runs and 10 steals in 346 games over five seasons. He was originally drafted by the Red Sox with the 32nd pick in the first round in 2003.
Next is first baseman Craig Brazell also of the Hanshin Tigers. He's a longer shot since he's already been in Japan for four seasons. In 2011 he hit .282/.322/.445 with 16 home runs, 69 RBI, 33 runs and zero steals in 120 games. In a limited Major League career with the Royals and Mets he hit .263/.300/.395 with one home runs, three RBI, four runs and zero steals in 29 games. He originally drafted by the Mets in the fifth round in 1998,
Outfielder Wladimir Balentien of the Tokyo Yakult Swallows just finished his first season in Japan. In 2011 he hit .228/.314/.469 with 31 home runs, 76 RBI, 63 runs and 3 steals in 140 games. In his Major League career with the Reds and Mariners he hit .221/.281/.374 with 15 home runs, 52 RBI, 54 runs and 2 steals in 17 games over three seasons. He was a 2006 and 2007 Futures Game selection while in the Mariners organization. He originally signed with the Mariners as an amateur free agent in 2000 out of Curacao.
Third baseman Aarom Baldris of the Orix Buffaloes just finished his fourth season in Japan after going over without any Major League experience. In 2011 he hit .267/.342/.418 with 18 home runs, 66 RBI, 49 runs and 2 steals in 137 games. He originally signed with the Mets as an amateur free agent in 1999 out of Venezuela.
Outfielder Wily Mo Pena is a wild card because he recently signed with the Fukuola Softbank Hawks for the 2012 season. I believe that Pena is similar to Cecil Fielder in that the time in Japan could improve his ability to hit the curve after plenty of exposure to it. Pena is a prolific power hitter and improving his ability to hit the curve will jumpstart a future MLB career. In eight MLB seasons he played with the Mariners, Diamondbacks, Nationals, Red Sox and Reds. He split the 2011 season between the Diamondbacks, Mariners and the Triple A teams for both. He hit .363/.439/.726 with 21 home runs, 63 RBI, 52 runs and 5 steals in 63 games at Arizona's Triple A, hit .196/.196/.522 with five home runs, seven RBI, seven runs and zero steals in 17 games with the Diamondbacks, hit .333/.443/.647 with four home runs, 14 RBI, 11 runs and zero steals in 13 games at Seattle's Triple A and hit .209/.284/.343 with two home runs, eight RBI, eight runs and zero steals in 22 games with the Mariners. In his MLB career he has hit .250/.303/.445 with 84 home runs, 240 RBI, 211 runs and 12 steals in 599 games. He originally signed with the Mets as an amatuer free agent in 1998 out of the Dominican Republic.
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