We break down what to expect from Tatsuya Imai, Munetaka Murakami and Kazuma Okamoto in 2026 and where they might land.

Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) was created in 1949 and is the highest level of baseball in Japan. NPB has produced some of the top players in MLB, like Ichiro Suzuki and Shohei Ohtani. Let's look at two pitchers and two hitters that will be taking the leap from NPB to MLB this offseason.

All international sponsorships are supposed to go through the league to prevent a free-for-all. That's not what happened here.

Infielder Kazuma Okamoto and pitcher Kona Takahashi are entering Major League Baseball’s posting system and will be available for teams to sign as free agents from Friday through Jan. 4

Yet another Japanese star is set to make the leap to Major League Baseball, and this one packs a powerful bat and a useful glove at third base.

Shohei Ohtani is making moves away from MLB after a second straight World Series title with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Shohei Ohtani finished his second season with the Los Angeles Dodgers the same way he did in his debut year with the organization: on top of the baseball world.

How does MLB's Japanese Posting System work? Here's a primer, with Munetaka Murakami likely on his way to the show.