Aoyagi’s Exciting Arrival
CLEARWATER, Fla. — Koyo Aoyagi’s last 48 hours have been a whirlwind of new experiences and high hopes. The 31-year-old side-armer touched down in the United States for the first time on Friday morning and promptly joined his new Phillies teammates at BayCare Ballpark. Aoyagi, who was a bit unsure about where to go on his first day, quickly found his way into the clubhouse, where he unpacked his belongings and shook hands with a few Phillies players and general manager Dave Dombrowski. Despite the unfamiliar surroundings, his enthusiasm was palpable. "There are so many new things here," he said, reflecting on the excitement and challenges of his new environment.
A Journey of Perseverance
The Phillies signed Aoyagi in mid-January to a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training. The right-hander brings a wealth of experience from Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball, where he spent nine seasons and posted a 3.08 ERA. He has also made three All-Star teams and contributed to a championship in 2023. However, the last two seasons saw Aoyagi demoted to the minor leagues due to underperformance. Despite these setbacks, his dream of pitching in the United States has remained strong. For four years, Aoyagi had expressed his desire to play in the majors to his team, Hanshin, but no major-league team was willing to offer him a guaranteed deal. The Phillies, recognizing his potential and versatility, decided to give him a chance to prove himself during spring training.
Competing for a Spot
Aoyagi will be vying for the final spot in the Phillies’ bullpen this spring. While making the team is his ultimate goal, he is open to the possibility of being sent to the minor leagues if necessary. "The past few years in Japan, I wasn’t able to perform to the best of my abilities, and the Phillies still saw something in me. For that, I really want to play for this team," Aoyagi said. His willingness to adapt and his positive attitude have already left a good impression. The Phillies are keen to see if Aoyagi can bring his unique side-arming technique and his slider to the major leagues, providing a different look in their bullpen. Having another side-armer like Jose Cuas, who has appeared in 132 big-league games over the past three seasons, adds to the team’s depth and flexibility.
Opening Doors in Japan
Aoyagi’s potential appearance in the major leagues for the Phillies could be a significant move for the organization. Historically, the Phillies have not been a major player in the market for top Japanese talent. While they pursued Yoshinobu Yamamoto last offseason and made a substantial offer, Yamamoto ultimately signed a 12-year, $325 million contract with the Dodgers. Similarly, they were eager to make a presentation to Roki Sasaki, another highly sought-after international free agent this past offseason, but did not make the pitcher’s short list. Aoyagi’s presence in camp could help the Phillies establish a more welcoming reputation in Japan, where they have increased their scouting operations. "We’ve liked him. He was looking for a big-league opportunity, it didn’t come for him, so we felt we liked him enough to bring him in and give him an opportunity," Dombrowski explained. "We feel that he gives us an opportunity to provide depth in the organization."
Manager’s Perspective
Manager Rob Thomson sees Aoyagi’s unique pitching style as a valuable addition to the Phillies’ bullpen. "You’t gonna havre noe seven guys who throw 100 with great sliders, so you’ve got to mix it up a little bit," Thomson said. The Phillies recognize the importance of diversity and different approaches in their pitching staff. Aoyagi’s side-arming technique, which is relatively uncommon in the majors, could offer a new challenge for opposing batters. Thomson’s words underscore the team’s belief that Aoyagi has the potential to contribute, whether it’s in the majors or the minors. The manager’s optimism is a testament to the Phillies’ commitment to bringing in talented players who can enhance the team in various ways.
Aoyagi’s Vision
For Aoyagi, the opportunity to pitch on a major-league mound in the United States is both a personal and professional milestone. He is eager to test his skills against the best competition in the world and take pride in being the first player signed out of Japan to play for the Phillies. "I wasn’t too aware of that, but me pitching on a big-league mound would definitely bring some attention to the Phillies and that would be able to recruit Japanese players more, so that would be a big thing for me," he said. Aoyagi’s journey is not just about his own success; it’s also about opening doors for future Japanese players who might consider the Phillies as a viable option. He is excited to see how his stuff measures up against players from a multitude of countries, reflecting the global nature of baseball and his own journey to the majors.
