The Nats have signed Shinnosuke Ogasawara to a two-year deal. It’s definitely a bit of a mystery move, so I don’t expect the contract to be worth a ton.
He doesn’t rack up strikeouts, which is a red flag, but he also doesn’t walk many batters. This seems like the kind of pitcher the Nats would be interested in, but his home run rate is concerning. While his HR rate might seem low, it’s actually above average for Japan and has been throughout his career. He had a strong season two years ago, but he seems to be regressing since then.
My first impression is that he probably won’t have a big impact, but maybe he could serve as a sort of innings eater like Patrick Corbin, especially with a rotation that’s heavy on young guys and injury risks. It could be worth a shot, although it’s worth noting that Japan’s season is shorter, so he hasn’t come close to throwing 180 or 200 innings.
Overall, it seems like this signing fits with the Nats’ approach of bringing in a mix of players that could maybe surprise, as they seem to be taking a more low-risk, uncertain route for the 2025 season. At least they’re sticking to their strategy.
