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MLB Teams Reportedly Scouting Japanese RHP Chihiro Kaleko

By Ed Carroll

Oct 5, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; A general view of baseballs and a glove prior to game three of the 2014 ALDS baseball playoff game between the Kansas City Royals and Los Angeles Angeles at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 5, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; A general view of baseballs and a glove prior to game three of the 2014 ALDS baseball playoff game between the Kansas City Royals and Los Angeles Angeles at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports /
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At least three MLB teams are known to have scouted Japanese right-handed starting pitcher Chihiro Kaneko, fueling speculation that he could be posted to MLB teams this off season.

This might be speculation to file away for next season, but at least three teams — the Boston Red Sox, San Diego Padres and Philadelphia Phillies — are known to have scouted soon-to-be-31-year old right-hander Chihiro Kaneko, a starting pitcher for the Orix Buffaloes in Nippon Professional Baseball, the major Japanese baseball league, and it’s becoming a possibility that Kaneko could be posted by the Buffaloes to MLB teams this winter.

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It’s not a certainty, however, though Rotoworld notes (via a Yahoo! Japan article) that he’s in the United States taking in the World Series to get some sort of a feel for the game in America, though it’s not a guarantee he will be posted and even if he is, the Buffaloes aren’t certain to accept the offer (although if the team is willing to go through the posting process with him, they usually are willing to negotiate).

Kaneko had an impressive 1.91 ERA in 184 innings in the NPL last year, and owns a 2.69 ERA across his nine years in the league. He struck out 194 and walked only 41, which would assuredly intrigue most MLB teams, so don’t assume the three teams scouting him are the only three interested, particularly with teams like the Red Sox and Phillies, who scout almost every major international prospect. He’ll also likely cost an MLB team a good amount of money, but it will be interesting to see what happens with Kankeo this winter.

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