And the final 4 former MLB players, including Hisashi Iwakuma whose NPB career isn’t over yet.
RHP Rubby De La Rosa- Yomiuri Giants
Armed with a 100 mph fastball, Rubby De La Rose was once considered a top pitching prospect in baseball and looked promising his 2011 debut with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Unfortunately, he largely struggled over the next three years before having a career year in 2015 with the Arizona Diamondbacks. De La Rosa went 14-9 with a 4.67 ERA and 150 strikeouts that year. He is now 31 and looking to re-establish himself in Japan after injuries derailed his MLB career.
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RHP Hisashi Iwakuma- Yomiuri Giants
Iwakuma may have had a short career with the Seattle Mariners, but he quickly became a fan favorite and proved to be a stable force in the starting rotation for five years in Seattle. Iwakuma ended his career with a 63-39 record, a 3.42 ERA, and a 1.14 WHIP. Injuries limited him to 31 IP in his final season in Seattle and just two last year in Japan (minor leagues). Now 39, Iwakuma will look to rebound and close out his professional career on a positive note.
RHP Nick Martinez- Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters
An 18th-round pick out of Fordham, Nick Martinez spent four years in the Texas Rangers starting rotation, compiling a career 17-30 record and 4.77 ERA. Low strikeout numbers and soaring home run numbers led to his release in 2017. He quickly found success in the NPB, going 10-11 with a 3.51 ERA in his rookie season. Martinez missed virtually all of 2019 due to injury but is healthy again and ready to reclaim his spot in the starting rotation.
RHP Carter Stewart- Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks
Carter Stewart never suited up for an MLB team (or even a minor league team), but he’s someone who continues to remain of interest to baseball fans. The 6’6″ righty took his wicked curveball and talents to the NPB after refusing to sign with the Atlanta Braves after being drafted in the first round of the 2018 MLB draft.
The Braves offered Stewart well-below slot value after citing a wrist injury in his medicals, leading Stewart to sign a multi-million dollar with Fukuoka. He spent last season in the minor leagues and could make his NPB debut this year.