Recently the Los Angeles Dodgers have started to look less like an MLB team and more like a global all-star team.
One of the biggest reasons for this is how they have taken advantage of using Japanese talent. By picking up some of the most talented players in Japan, the Dodgers are starting to build what is thought to be the newest MLB dynasty.
“If the Dodgers win this series, I’d argue they’re the greatest, most talented team ever,” said Fox Sports media personality Colin Cowherd.
One of the biggest turning points came from the Dodgers signing Japnese superstar Shohei Ohtani. Ohtani isn’t your regular baseball player he is a two-way player meaning he hits and pitches which is very hard to do especially if you’re the leagues best in both like Ohtani has done in both Japan and America. The addition of this amazing player didn’t just help the Dodgers’ playoff hopes but also their international signing hopes with Ohtani being a global icon.
Ohtani isn’t the only Japanese starting pitcher winning the Dodgers games. Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who also started in Japan before coming over to the MLB, has amazing control for a starting pitcher and his mechanics are very smooth.
“It’s seemed like the Dodgers have always been so good but with all the international talent they have become the favorite to win it all in every postseason since,” said Dom Wright “It’s such a good use of their offseason signing it almost feels like cheating even though it’s perfectly legal.”
This strategy though is not all that new for the Dodgers. Back in the 1990s, they signed Hideo Nomo, one of the first Japenese players to make a huge impact in MLB. Nomo helped Japanese players start to become key players. The Dodgers look to continue the trend of picking up Japanese talent and winning on the biggest stage.
What makes this approach “modern” isn’t just the talent, the Dodgers are also thinking about the games. Baseball today is more global than ever. Teams aren’t only looking within the United States for talent but also looking internationally like never before in MLB history. The Dodgers have really bought into this idea especially in Japan which has the strongest baseball system outside of the U.S.
The Dodgers are the biggest powerhouse in baseball now but they also get another key advantage with the Japanese talent. These stars gain millions of fans in Japan and all over the world. Games that Ohatni and Yamamoto are featured in attract a lot more fans. This helps the team grow their brand outside the U.S and increase revenue. All this money gives them more opportunities to get new players and keep the cycle going and establish a new dynasty that may be around for many years to follow.
“It’s like the Avengers, it’s like the Monstars, it’s the best team I’ve ever been on,” said Dodgers starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow.
The Dodgers also develop their players really well combining it with their key international signings. They don’t just rely on just the international talent but they also use analytics to develop players. With them also using data to make smart choices in game making them the best team in the leagues almost every year. This balance between global scouting and advanced analytics is what mostly puts them ahead of almost every team in the MLB.
Building a dynasty is always incredibly difficult but with the Dodgers taking advantage of the International game they seem to always be ahead. The Dodgers plan to ride these new international players to a back to back to back World Series Championship. With this Yamamoto and Ohtani duo they are in a very strong position to be a favorite to win for years to come.
