Another Japanese ace is coming to the shores of America after the San Diego Padres signed Nippon Baseball League standout Yuki Matsui.
The Associated Press reported that the two parties agreed on a $28 million, 5-year contract.
Matsui is just 5'8 but his pitching prowess more than make up for his physical stature.
"It's a very a clean delivery. Good mechanics. I think pitchers come in all shape and sizes," San Diego general manager A.J. Preller said of their new recruit last week.
"He's left-handed. He does things very efficiently. Obviously, there's been some great pitchers that have been sub-6-footers and he's been one of them so far in Japan."
Statistically, taller pitchers tend to have longer careers in the Major League Baseball. Even if the league has seen shorter pitches succeed, the fanbase continues to be surprised, and scrutinize players who are below six feet.
Matsui, 28, has the making of a great pitcher based on his CV alone. Padres will not lock him up for five years if they don't see the potential.
He will only be the third pitcher in MLB who stands 5'8 and below, joining 5-foot-6 Clayton Andrews and 5-foot-7 Marcus Stroman.
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If Matsui succeeds despite his height, it should not be a surprise because many others did it before.
Here are the most successful 5'8 and below pitchers in MLB history:
1. Marcus Stroman, 5'7 (2014 - Free agent)
Stroman is one-inch shorter than Matsui but the admiration he commanded in the league is well above his stature.
The 32-year-old made the All-Star Games twice (2019 and 2023) and earned the Gold Glove Award in 2017. He was also the 2017 World Baseball Classic MVP when the United States National Baseball Team captured the title against Puerto Rico.
2. Bobby Shantz, 5'6 (1949-1964)
Shantz is a World Series champion for the New York Yankees. He was the MVP in 1952 and won the Gold Glove award eight times. Not bad for someone who was doubted for his height.
He has a 119-99 win-loss record and recorded a .195 batting average (107-for-548) in his 16 years in the league. He also finished his pro career with 60 runs, and 20 doubles, allowing just one home run.
His .976 fielding percentage is 19 points higher than the average of what league pitchers post.
3. Tim Lincecum, (2007 to 2016)
Lincecum stands at 5'11 although his frame makes him look smaller. He played all but one year of his nine-year career with the San Francisco Giants.
His nickname is 'The Freak' because of the power he produces in his throws.
He led the league in strikeouts from 2008 to 2010 and pitched two no-hitters in two straight seasons (2013, 2014).
His unparalleled power pitching led the Giants to three World Series titles in five years from 2010 to 2014). Lincecum is known for diversifying his pitching styles in a season and throughout his career. He threw a two-seam fastball at the start of his career but later on, developed the split-finger fastball.
Overall, Lincecum put up a Hall of Fame induction-worthy career. He is a two-time NL Cy Young Award and earned four All-Star callups.
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