| PA | AB | R | H | HR | SB | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 188 | 151 | 39 | 39 | 3 | 4 | .258 | .399 | .384 | .783 |
| Career Minors | 188 | 151 | 39 | 39 | 3 | 4 | .258 | .399 | .384 | .783 |
| AVG | HR | SB | OPS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | .258 | 3 | 4 | .783 |
| Career Minors | .258 | 3 | 4 | .783 |
| Season | Tm | LG | L | G | PA | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | SB | CS | HBP | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | ACL Athletics | ACL | ROK | 43 | 188 | 151 | 39 | 39 | 8 | 1 | 3 | 27 | 36 | 47 | 4 | 3 | 0 | .258 | .399 | .384 | .783 |
| ACL Athletics | ACL | ROK | 43 | 188 | 151 | 39 | 39 | 8 | 1 | 3 | 27 | 36 | 47 | 4 | 3 | 0 | .258 | .399 | .384 | .783 | |
| Career Minors | ACL Athletics | ACL | 43 | 188 | 151 | 39 | 39 | 8 | 1 | 3 | 27 | 36 | 47 | 4 | 3 | 0 | .258 | .399 | .384 | .783 |
Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 50 | Run: 55 | Arm: 60 | Field: 50 | Overall: 40
Scouting grades: Fastball: 55 | Slider: 40 | Curveball: 45 | Splitter: 50 | Control: 45 | Overall: 40
Rather than enter the NPB Draft, where he was forecasted as a potential Top 10 pick for his prowess on both sides of the diamond, Morii wanted to instead carve his own unique path as a Japanese standout. Becoming available to MLB clubs during the 2025 international signing period, the A’s handed out a landmark deal of $1,510,000 million, which is the largest signing bonus ever handed out to an amateur from Japan. A large selling point in the A’s favor was their belief in him as a two-way player, and he will get that opportunity to pitch, hit and field to begin his pro career in 2025.
At the plate, Morii features a smooth left-handed swing with tremendous balance. His power stands out, as he clubbed 45 home runs as a high schooler. He is considered an advanced hitter with good barrel control. On the mound, his fastball has been clocked as high as 95 mph and sits around 92-93. He also brings a splitter with nasty movement, a true 12-to-6 curveball and a tighter slider with solid bite and depth, though that offering will probably require some fine-tuning. Having only been pitching with regularity for less than two years, Morii’s arm is relatively fresh as he enters the organization.
Morii’s high-octane throwing arm plays well at shortstop, but some evaluators see a possibility of moving to third base as his 6-foot-1 frame fills out. While scouts see Morii’s long-term future in the batter’s box, the A’s plan on giving him every opportunity to succeed as a two-way player, with excitement already building over his impressive physical traits and desire to become one of the next great players out of Japan.
| Team | Date | Transaction |
|---|---|---|
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03/06/2025 | activated SS Shotaro Morii. |
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01/15/2025 | Athletics signed free agent SS Shotaro Morii to a minor league contract. |
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01/15/2025 | SS Shotaro Morii assigned to ACL Athletics. |
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01/15/2025 | ACL Athletics activated SS Shotaro Morii. |