MLB: Former Players Find Success in Japan’s Top League

1. Wladimir Balentien, OF

Team: Yakult Swallows

Japan Career: .278/.388/.575 (6 years)

MLB Career: .221/.281/.374 (3 years)

Wladimir Balentien is by far the most successful NPB player that was first a major leaguer. Since joining the Swallows in 2011, Balentien is a four-time All-Star.

More impressively, Balentien broke the NPB all-time single season home run record in 2014 with 60. He has hit at least 30 in every full season with Yakult.

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His power did not come out of nowhere, though. Balentien hit an impressive 147 homers in his minor league career. He saw somewhat extensive time in the majors between 2007-2009, but was unable to impress either the Mariners or the Reds.

He struggled with plate discipline and contact with the Mariners as he hit .209 and only got on base at a .260 clip.

After being traded to the Reds, Balentien finally showed some promise. In a small sample size of 110 AB, he hit to a .779 OPS and had a solid BB-to-K ratio of 15 to 27. For whatever reason, the Reds never felt he was worthy of the majors after that.

He played the entirety of the next season for the Louisville Bats, the Reds’ Triple-A affiliate. There, he slugged 25 home runs and hit to a .873 OPS.

Since he did not get the promotion he deserved, Balentien moved to Japan and has had a historic six-year career thus far. As a one-time MVP and three-time home run leader, Balentien is a star in the NPB.

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While he is only 32 years old, it would be very surprising to see Balentien test his luck in the unforgiving major leagues. This especially considering he would have to leave a league where he is a premier star.

All stats courtesy of baseball-reference.com unless otherwise noted.