The Dodgers are in the mix for one of Japan’s most talked-about young arms, and Brandon Gomes isn’t exactly hiding that fact.
Speaking Tuesday in Las Vegas at the annual General Managers Meetings, the Dodgers GM acknowledged the club’s interest in 18-year-old pitcher Shoki Oda, while keeping the details close to the vest. Gomes described Oda as “super talented,” and said the organization’s international staff has been tracking him closely.
“He’s super talented. Really projectable, fun to watch him throw,” Gomes said.
“I know our international guys have been watching him closely. Not sure how that all shakes out exactly, but know that we think really highly of him.”
Oda’s high school manager, Hiroaki Murata, said the teenager is meeting with 12 teams, including the Dodgers. Gomes didn’t fully confirm that meeting, but he left enough room for interpretation, saying the club has “potentially” already met with him. The grin that came with that answer suggested Murata’s account may not be far off.
Still, a quick follow-up doesn’t appear to be in the cards.
“I don’t know if he’s going to be visiting us anytime soon,” Gomes said.
There’s at least a reason to think the Dodgers may have an edge if Oda does choose a major league destination. He’s reportedly a fan of Yoshinobu Yamamoto, one of the Dodgers’ three Japanese stars, and he’s also the only MLB team Oda follows on Instagram.
That kind of connection matters. For the Dodgers, landing Oda would be more than just another international signing. He’d bring obvious talent, but he’d also fit into a broader push that has helped the club build a stronger presence with Japanese fans - a move that can pay off both on the field and in the business side of the sport.
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