SS | Bats/Throws: L/R | 6' 0" 190 lbs | Age: 19
MLB Pipeline Rank
Athletics: No. 21
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
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Standard Minor League Batting Statistics

SeasonTmLGLGPAABRH2B3BHRRBIBBSOSBCSHBPAVGOBPSLGOPS
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

Scouting Report

2025

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.


Transactions

Team Date Transaction
03/06/2025 activated SS Shotaro Morii.
01/15/2025 Athletics signed free agent SS Shotaro Morii to a minor league contract.
01/15/2025 SS Shotaro Morii assigned to ACL Athletics.
01/15/2025 ACL Athletics activated SS Shotaro Morii.