Shohei Otani will become the first potential top draft pick to make the direct jump from a Japanese high school to the major leagues after the right-hander announced his decision to play in the United States on Sunday.
"It was a difficult decision," said Otani. "There was a conflict of opinions between me and my parents and the people around me and I was in two minds. I fretted about it so I am relieved. I am glad I was able to stick to my guns."
Otani, the 18-year-old for Hanamaki Higashi High School armed with a fastball clocked at 160 km per hour, has met with three major league teams — the Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers and Texas Rangers — and the Baltimore Orioles have also been reported as potential suitors.