Message #1152618

[Squab]

From NPB Tracker:

Aaaaaaaaaaaand we have our first bit of drama in Shohei Otani‘s journey to MLB. Quoted in Sanspo, Nippon Ham Fighters GM Masao Yamada has declared his intent to select Otani with his first pick in today’s (JST time) draft.

    “Regarding Otani-kun, he’s made comments saying like to go to a Major League team, but as a ball club we will follow through with our intent to select the strongest player with our first pick. We plan to select Otani-kun.”
    note: the “kun”  suffix is a name identifier; kind of like “san” for young men.
.... so at a minimum being selected in the draft would delay Otani signing with an MLB club for several months