List of current foreign Nippon Professional Baseball players

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In Nippon Professional Baseball, players born outside of Japan are often known as international players. This list includes all international players who are currently on NPB 70-man rosters and thus eligible to play in Nippon Professional Baseball or either of the two "ni-gun" leagues, the Western League and the Eastern League. As both the Central League and Pacific League have a limit on foreign players on the 28-man first team (ichi-gun) rosters (maximum of four foreign players which must be a mix of pitchers and position players), there are currently just sixty-nine active players on NPB 70-man rosters. This list does include foreign-born players who qualify as Japanese through residency, such as Yaku Cho and Wladimir Balentien, but does not include Japanese-born players who are eligible for other national teams, such as Yuma Mune and Brandon Tysinger. [1]

List is accurate as of March 1, 2023 (Registered for 2023 season):

PosP Pitcher IF Infielder OF Outfielder
Denotes Central League players
Denotes Pacific League players
BOLDDenotes players with at least one appearance in an international tournament
NationalityBirthplace (if different)PlayerTeamPos.CareerLast non-NPB Team
Flag of Brazil.svg  Brazil Thyago Vieira [2] Yomiuri Giants P2020– (YOM) Flag of the United States.svg Chicago White Sox
Flag of Cuba.svg  Cuba Rusney Castillo [3] Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles OF2021– (RAK) Flag of the United States.svg Boston Red Sox
Flag of Cuba.svg  Cuba Alfredo Despaigne [4] Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks OF2014–2016 (LOT)
2017– (SOF)
Flag of Cuba.svg Granma
Flag of Cuba.svg  Cuba Yurisbel Gracial [4] Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks IF2018– (SOF) Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Les Capitales de Québec
Flag of Cuba.svg  Cuba Leonys Martín [5] Chiba Lotte Marines OF2019– (LOT) Flag of the United States.svg Cleveland Indians
Flag of Cuba.svg  Cuba Liván Moinelo [4] Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks P2017– (SOF) Flag of Cuba.svg Holguín
Flag of Cuba.svg  Cuba Yariel Rodríguez [6] Chunichi Dragons P2020– (CHU) Flag of Cuba.svg Camagüey
Flag of Cuba.svg  Cuba Dayán Viciedo [6] Chunichi Dragons IF/OF2016– (CHU) Flag of the United States.svg Chicago White Sox
Flag of the Dominican Republic.svg  Dominican Republic Raúl Alcántara [7] Hanshin Tigers P2021– (HAN) Flag of South Korea.svg Doosan Bears
Flag of the Dominican Republic.svg  Dominican Republic Rubby De La Rosa [2] Yomiuri Giants P2019– (YOM) Flag of the United States.svg Arizona Diamondbacks
Flag of the Dominican Republic.svg  Dominican Republic Geronimo Franzua [8] Hiroshima Toyo Carp P2018– (HIR) Flag of the Dominican Republic.svg Carp Academy
Flag of the Dominican Republic.svg  Dominican Republic Jefry Marté [7] Hanshin Tigers IF2019– (HAN) Flag of the United States.svg Los Angeles Angels
Flag of the Dominican Republic.svg  Dominican Republic Alejandro Mejía [8] Hiroshima Toyo Carp IF2017– (HIR) Flag of the Dominican Republic.svg Carp Academy
Flag of the Dominican Republic.svg  Dominican Republic Cristopher Mercedes [2] Yomiuri Giants P2018– (YOM) Flag of the United States.svg Tampa Bay Rays
Flag of the Dominican Republic.svg  Dominican Republic Flag of Puerto Rico.svg  Puerto Rico Steven Moya [9] ORIX Buffaloes OF2018–2019 (CHU)
2019– (ORI)
Flag of the United States.svg Detroit Tigers
Flag of the Dominican Republic.svg  Dominican Republic Bryan Rodriguez [10] Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters P2018– (NIP) Flag of the United States.svg San Diego Padres
Flag of the Dominican Republic.svg  Dominican Republic Ronny Rodríguez [10] Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters IF2021– (NIP) Flag of the United States.svg Detroit Tigers
Flag of the Dominican Republic.svg  Dominican Republic Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States Mel Rojas Jr. [7] Hanshin Tigers OF2021– (HAN) Flag of South Korea.svg KT Wiz
Flag of the Dominican Republic.svg  Dominican Republic Fernando Romero [11] Yokohama DeNA Baystars P2021– (DeN) Flag of the United States.svg Minnesota Twins
Flag of the Dominican Republic.svg  Dominican Republic Randy Rosario [6] Chunichi Dragons P2021– (CHU) Flag of the United States.svg Kansas City Royals
Flag of the Dominican Republic.svg  Dominican Republic Ángel Sánchez [2] Yomiuri Giants P2020– (YOM) Flag of South Korea.svg SK Wyverns
Flag of Italy.svg  Italy Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States Zach Neal [12] Saitama Seibu Lions P2019– (SEI) Flag of the United States.svg Los Angeles Dodgers
Flag of Lithuania.svg  Lithuania Dovydas Neverauskas [8] Hiroshima Toyo Carp P2021– (HIR) Flag of the United States.svg Pittsburgh Pirates
Flag of Mexico.svg  Mexico Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States Brandon Laird [5] Chiba Lotte Marines IF2015–2018 (NIP)
2019– (LOT)
Flag of the United States.svg Washington Nationals
Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands Flag of Curacao.svg  Curaçao Wladimir Balentien [4] Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks OF2011–2019 (YAK)
2020– (SOF)
Flag of the United States.svg Cincinnati Reds
Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands Rick van den Hurk [13] Tokyo Yakult Swallows P2015–2020 (SOF)
2021– (YAK)
Flag of South Korea.svg Samsung Lions
Flag of Puerto Rico.svg  Puerto Rico Neftalí Soto [11] Yokohama DeNA Baystars IF2018– (DeN) Flag of the United States.svg Washington Nationals
Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa Tayler Scott [8] Hiroshima Toyo Carp P2020– (HIR) Flag of the United States.svg Baltimore Orioles
Flag of the Republic of China.svg  Taiwan Chen Wei-Yin [7] Hanshin Tigers P2004–2011 (CHU)
2020– (HAN)
Flag of the United States.svg Miami Marlins
Flag of the Republic of China.svg  Taiwan Yaku Cho [9] ORIX Buffaloes P2019– (ORI) Flag of Japan.svg Nikkeidai
Flag of the Republic of China.svg  Taiwan Sung Chia-hao [3] Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles P2017– (RAK) Flag of the Republic of China.svg NTUS
Flag of the Republic of China.svg  Taiwan Wang Po-jung [10] Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters OF2019– (NIP) Flag of the Republic of China.svg Rakuten Monkeys
Flag of the Republic of China.svg  Taiwan Wu Nien-Ting [12] Saitama Seibu Lions IF2016– (SEI) Flag of Japan.svg Daiichi Institute of Technology
Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States Tyler Austin [11] Yokohama DeNA Baystars IF2020– (DeN) Flag of the United States.svg Milwaukee Brewers
Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States Kyle Bird [8] Hiroshima Toyo Carp P2021– (HIR) Flag of the United States.svg Texas Rangers
Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States Alan Busenitz [3] Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles P2019– (RAK) Flag of the United States.svg Minnesota Twins
Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States Adam Conley [3] Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles P2021– (RAK) Flag of the United States.svg Miami Marlins
Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States Kevin Cron [8] Hiroshima Toyo Carp IF2021– (HIR) Flag of the United States.svg Arizona Diamondbacks
Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States Brandon Dickson [9] ORIX Buffaloes P2013– (ORI) Flag of the United States.svg St. Louis Cardinals
Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States Brandon Dixon [3] Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles P2021– (RAK) Flag of the United States.svg Detroit Tigers
Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States Jon Edwards [7] Hanshin Tigers P2020– (HAN) Flag of the United States.svg Cleveland Indians
Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States Robbie Erlin [10] Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters P2021– (NIP) Flag of the United States.svg Atlanta Braves
Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States Reed Garrett [9] Saitama Seibu Lions P2020– (SEI) Flag of the United States.svg Texas Rangers
Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States Mike Gerber [6] Chunichi Dragons OF2021– (CHU) Flag of the United States.svg San Francisco Giants
Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States Joe Gunkel [7] Hanshin Tigers P2020– (HAN) Flag of the United States.svg Miami Marlins
Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States Frank Herrmann [5] Chiba Lotte Marines P2017–2019 (RAK)
2020– (LOT)
Flag of the United States.svg Philadelphia Phillies
Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States Jacob Waguespack [9] ORIX Buffaloes P2020– (ORI) Flag of the United States.svg Toronto Blue Jays
Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States Nick Martinez [4] Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks P2018–2020 (NIP)
2021– (SOF)
Flag of the United States.svg Texas Rangers
Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States Cy Sneed [13] Tokyo Yakult Swallows P2019– (YAK) Flag of the United States.svg Houston Astros
Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States Matt Dermody [12] Saitama Seibu Lions P2021– (SEI) Flag of the United States.svg Chicago Cubs
Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States Michael Peoples [11] Yokohama DeNA Baystars P2020– (DeN) Flag of the United States.svg Colorado Rockies
Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States Colin Rea [4] Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks P2021– (SOF) Flag of the United States.svg Chicago Cubs
Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States Stefen Romero [9] ORIX Buffaloes OF2017–2019, 2021– (ORI)
2020 (RAK)
Flag of the United States.svg Seattle Mariners
Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States Jerry Sands [7] Hanshin Tigers OF2020– (HAN) Flag of South Korea.svg Kiwoom Heroes
Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States Dennis Sarfate [4] Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks P2011–2012 (HIR)
2013 (SEI)
2014– (SOF)
Flag of the United States.svg Baltimore Orioles
Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States Justin Smoak [2] Yomiuri Giants IF2021– (YOM) Flag of the United States.svg San Francisco Giants
Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States Cy Sneed [13] Tokyo Yakult Swallows P2021– (YAK) Flag of the United States.svg Houston Astros
Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States Cory Spangenberg [12] Saitama Seibu Lions OF2020– (SEI) Flag of the United States.svg Milwaukee Brewers
Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States Carter Stewart [4] Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks P2020– (SOF) Flag of the United States.svg EFSC
Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States Eric Thames [2] Yomiuri Giants OF2021– (YOM) Flag of the United States.svg Washington Nationals
Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States Drew VerHagen [10] Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters P2020– (NIP) Flag of the United States.svg Detroit Tigers
Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States Zelous Wheeler [2] Yomiuri Giants IF/OF2015–2020 (RAK)
2021– (YOM)
Flag of the United States.svg New York Yankees
Flag of Venezuela.svg  Venezuela Edwin Escobar [11] Yokohama DeNA Baystars P2017 (NIP)
2017– (DeN)
Flag of the United States.svg Cleveland Indians
Flag of Venezuela.svg  Venezuela José Flores [5] Chiba Lotte Marines P2020– (LOT) Flag of the United States.svg San Francisco Giants
Flag of Venezuela.svg  Venezuela José Osuna [13] Tokyo Yakult Swallows IF/OF2021– (YAK) Flag of the United States.svg Pittsburgh Pirates
Flag of Venezuela.svg  Venezuela José Pirela [8] Hiroshima Toyo Carp OF2020– (HIR) Flag of the United States.svg Philadelphia Phillies
Flag of Venezuela.svg  Venezuela Albert Suárez [13] Tokyo Yakult Swallows P2019– (YAK) Flag of the United States.svg Arizona Diamondbacks
Flag of Venezuela.svg  Venezuela Robert Suárez [7] Hanshin Tigers P2016–2019 (SOF)
2020– (HAN)
Flag of Mexico.svg Saraperos de Saltillo

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References

  1. Nichol, Matt. Globalization, Sports Law and Labour Mobility: The Case of Professional Baseball in the United States and Japan. Northampton, USA. p. 18. ISBN   1788115007.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 2021 70-man roster - Yomiuri Giants
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 2021 70-man roster - Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 2021 70-man roster - Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks
  5. 1 2 3 4 2021 70-man roster - Chiba Lotte Marines
  6. 1 2 3 4 2021 70-man roster - Chunichi Dragons
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 2021 70-man roster - Hanshin Tigers
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 2021 70-man roster - Hiroshima Toyo Carp
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 2021 70-man roster - ORIX Buffaloes
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 2021 70-man roster - Hokkaido Nippon Ham-Fighters
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 2021 70-man roster - Yokohama DeNA Baystars
  12. 1 2 3 4 2020 70-man roster - Saitama Seibu Lions
  13. 1 2 3 4 5 2021 70-man roster - Tokyo Yakult Swallows