Masataka Yoshida reportedly asks to be posted, eyeing Philadelphia Phillies

Masataka Yoshida has been a star for the Orix Buffaloes over the past few years. He is now eyeing a new challenge.

According to reports, the Buffaloes star has asked to be posted this offseason with an eye toward the majors. Ideally, that trip stateside would involve joining the Philadelphia Phillies.

Masataka Yoshida hoping to join idol on Philadelphia Phillies

Why the Phillies? Yoshida idolizes Phillies star Bryce Harper and is hoping to get a chance to play with him. He had originally worn number 34 with the Buffaloes because of Harper, named his dog after the Phillies outfielder, and has the initials ‘BH’ at the beginning of his Instagram as a tribute. He clearly wants to play alongside his idol.

He is certainly going to attract attention if he is posted, with the Phillies likely being interested as well. Yoshida has a skillset that belies his smaller stature, an on base machine who hits the ball with authority and power. He has a .327/.421/.539 batting line in his 3189 NPB plate appearances, hitting 133 homers and 161 doubles.

Yoshida also has an intriguing scouting report to match the results. Considered one of the best pure hitters in Japan, he has an impressive ability to make contact and command the strike zone, walking more than he struck out in each of the past four seasons. He has excellent bat speed and surprising pop for his size as he is just 5’8″ tall and weighs 176 pounds. There is no question that he should have enough bat to be a solid major league asset.

The question is where he will play. Yoshida is limited to left defensively, and even that is questionable. He does not get a good read on the ball, has a fringy arm at best, and is very tentative in the outfield. Unless that changes drastically with coaching stateside, he is best suited as a designated hitter with spot duty in the outfield.

That defensive profile would seemingly take the Phillies out of the running for his services. They already have a pair of outfielders that would be best suited to the DH role in Kyle Schwarber and Nick Castellanos. Yoshida may be a piece they could use atop their batting order, but he does not have the type of defensive skillset that would fit. However, he should be of interest to plenty of other teams.

Masataka Yoshida has asked to be posted by the Orix Buffaloes with an eye on joining the Philadelphia Phillies. He may have to accept a different team.