Seattle Mariners sign Japanese OF Otosaka to minors deal

The Seattle Mariners have gone an interesting route to add some organizational depth in the outfield.

The York Revolution of the Atlantic League announced Tuesday that the Mariners have purchased the contract of Japanese outfielder Tomo Otosaka.

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Per the transactions section of Otosaka’s MILB.com page, he has signed a minor league contract with the Mariners and been assigned to the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers.

In nine games this season for the Revolution, Otosaka hit 15 for 37 (.405) with a home run, six doubles, and four stolen bases on four attempts. He has served as York’s leadoff man and center fielder.

While considered independent, the Atlantic League is a “Professional Partner League” for MLB, serving as a “player gateway to the major leagues, and a leader in baseball innovation,” according to its website.

“I’m extremely happy for Tomo,” York Revolution manager Rick Forney said in a press release. “He’s such a good person and a great teammate. He’s an extremely hard worker and is very deserving of this opportunity.”

The 31-year-old Otosaka checks in at 5 foot 11 and 182 pounds, hits from the left side and throws right-handed. The Revolution’s press release notes his favorite player growing up was someone with a similar profile: Mariners legend Ichiro Suzuki.

Tomo Otosaka went opposite field over the Arch Nemesis for his 2nd home run on U.S soil in back to back nights! pic.twitter.com/7coxwvP6jx

— York Revolution (@yorkrevolution) September 9, 2023

According to the Revolution, the Mariners have previously purchased the contracts of a number of players from York, including pitchers Zac Grotz (2018) and Brett de Gues (2022), who would go on to pitch in the big leagues for Seattle.

Otosaka played eight seasons in Nippon Pro Baseball, Japan’s major league, from 2012-21 with his hometown Yokohama BayStars. In 468 NPB games, he slashed .229/.290/.325 for a .616 OPS with 10 home runs and 19 strikeouts.

In 2022, Otosaka starred in the Mexican League and the Venezulan Winter League (combined .354/.441/.451 slash for a .892 OPS in 128 games), and he joined York in the Atlantic League for 2023, slashing .330/.441/.408 for an .848 OPS with 42 stolen bases.

In 2024, Otosaka again played in Mexico and Venezuela before returning to York earlier this year.

¡Se rompe 💥 el SIN HIT!

Tomo Otosaka 🇯🇵 rompe el juego sin hit con este batazo al jardín central 🔥#GPIalBeis ✌🏼 pic.twitter.com/XoyftaQwQY

— Liga Mexicana de Beisbol (@LigaMexBeis) July 13, 2024

The addition of Otosaka gives Seattle one more option should it need help again in the outfield. The Mariners have seen right fielders Victor Robles and Luke Raley go on the injured list early this season with long-term injuries and have dipped into their Triple-A depth at the position, with Samad Taylor and Rhylan Thomas recently spending time with Seattle.

The M’s picked up the switch-hitting Leody Taveras from the AL West rival Texas Rangers on a waiver claim last week, and he has been their regular right fielder since.

Seattle Mariners sign Japanese OF Otosaka to minors deal

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