Athletics Expected to Give Japanese Two-Way Player Shotaro Morii Record-Breaking Deal

Shotaro Morii has proven to be an elite hitter and pitcher at the Japanese high school level, and the A’s are ready to throw some major cash at the teenage prospect.
Jun 1, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; A detailed view of an Oakland Athletics hat and glove on the field against the Atlanta Braves in the sixth inning at Truist Park.
Jun 1, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; A detailed view of an Oakland Athletics hat and glove on the field against the Atlanta Braves in the sixth inning at Truist Park. / Brett Davis-Imagn Images
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The Athletics are expected to sign Japanese prospect Shotaro Morii, Yakyu Cosmopolitan reported Monday night.

Morii skipped the Nippon Professional Baseball Draft in 2024 with the intention of scoring an MLB deal. He is now reportedly set to receive a $1.5 million signing bonus from the A’s, which would be the highest-ever for a Japanese amateur not coming from NPB.

There was initially some belief that Morii could play college baseball in America, just how Rintaro Sasaki committed to Stanford last year. It appears thst he will be going pro instead, though, presumably to the delight of the Athletics’ front office.

The St. Louis Cardinals were linked to Morii as well, before the A’s took over in the driver’s seat last fall.

Morii is a unique two-way player who plays shortstop and third base while boasting a four-pitch mix on the mound.

The 6-foot-1, 190-pound prospect has racked up 45 home runs over his three high school seasons so far. His fastball can break 93 miles per hour, his curveball hangs around 74, his slider comes in at about 77 and his forkball has been clocked at 78.

Morii, 17, will not bring an immediate boost to the Athletics’ lineup or pitching staff, but his addition is another step in the right direction for the nomadic franchise.

In the immediate aftermath of leaving Oakland, the A’s signed starting pitcher Luis Severino to the largest contract in team history. That preceded a big trade for starting pitcher Jeffrey Springs, as well as a big-time extension for designated hitter Brent Rooker.

Those players will suit up for the Athletics during their temporary stay in Sacramento, but the team will probably be in Las Vegas by the time Morii reaches the big leagues.

The 2025 international amateur signing period begins Wednesday, opening the door for Morii and the A’s to ink an official contract.

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Sam Connon
SAM CONNON

Sam Connon is a Staff Writer for Fastball on the Sports Illustrated/FanNation networks. He previously covered UCLA Athletics for Sports Illustrated/FanNation's All Bruins, 247Sports' Bruin Report Online, Rivals' Bruin Blitz, the Bleav Podcast Network and the Daily Bruin, with his work as a sports columnist receiving awards from the College Media Association and Society of Professional Journalists. Connon also wrote for Sports Illustrated/FanNation's New England Patriots site, Patriots Country, and he was on the Patriots and Boston Red Sox beats at Prime Time Sports Talk.