The San Diego Padres made a pitching splash of their own on Saturday after signing left-handed reliever Yuki Matsui to a five-year, $28 million deal.
The 28-year-old started his career in 2014 at the age of 18 with Nippon Professional Baseball. He recorded 236 saves in 501 appearances where he boasted a 2.43 ERA with 941 strikeouts.
In 2023 alone, Matsui accumulated a 1.57 ERA with 72 strikeouts and 11.3 strikeouts per nine in 222 batters faced. His 39 saves were a career-best.
He spent the entirety of his NPB career with the Tohuku Rakuten Golden Eagles.
松井 裕樹投手、ようこそサンディエゴへ！
We have signed left-handed reliever Yuki Matsui to a five-year contract. Details: https://t.co/5Lbh0M0dWH pic.twitter.com/GOphizrecJ
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) December 23, 2023
In addition to the numbers, Matsui looks to be one of the shortest pitchers in 2023 measuring in at 5-foot-8, but it’ll be his splitter that will make him unique.
Former MLB general manager turned analyst Steve Phillips broke down the lefty’s pitches and specified that secondary pitch.
“For Yuki Matsui, it’s his split,” he said on MLB Network. “He’s got an outstanding split. He can locate the fastball. He’s got his fair share of swings and misses. Now he walks more than a few.”
The Padres are reportedly closing in on a deal for LHP Yuki Matsui.@StevePhillipsGM breaks down what the southpaw brings to the table following sustained success in the NPB. pic.twitter.com/k7zgNv4uxj
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) December 20, 2023
The pitch has 31 inches of drop and 12 inches of horizontal break.
It’s also a rarity for a southpaw to throw the pitch.
There are opt-outs on the deal, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, during the third and fourth years and includes an injury clause that can convert the fifth year into a club option.
[ESPN’s Jeff Passan on X]
[Padres]
