Nippon Professional Baseball’s Yokohama DeNA BayStars are signing right-handed pitcher Jon Duplantier, the team officially announced. The contract is believed to be worth $3 million for one year.
The agreement brings an end to a prolonged period of uncertainty surrounding the 31-year-old, who made his NPB debut with the Hanshin Tigers in 2025. In December, reports linked the former top prospect to the defending champion Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks, with Hochi Sports claiming a deal was “all but certain.” That move ultimately fell through for undisclosed reasons, and DeNA soon emerged as the frontrunners. Several more weeks passed before the signing was finally made official.
Duplantier was arguably the most dominant starter in Japan on a per-inning basis last season, compiling a stellar 1.39 ERA (208 ERA+) with a 32% strikeout rate over 90 ⅔ innings, highlighted by two complete-game shutouts. An August injury, however, sidelined the Delaware native for the remainder of the regular season, and he did not return until Game 2 of the Japan Series, where he showed clear rust by surrendering seven earned runs in just 1 ⅔ innings.
Still, Duplantier’s upside as an ace-caliber arm was clearly valued around NPB this offseason. He averages 93 mph with his four-seam fastball and complements it well with a cutter, curveball, sweeper, and changeup, giving him a versatile mix against both lefties and righties.
The BayStars are counting on him to supply volume to help offset the departures of Anthony Kay, Andre Jackson, and Trevor Bauer. To further reinforce their pitching depth, they have also added Austin Cox, Sean Reynolds, and Jose Ruiz this winter.
Photo: Jon Duplantier throws against the Los Angeles Angels in the first inning during a baseball game, Sunday, June 13, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)