Two Seibu Lions aces. One former teammate who faced them both. Everything you need to know about the next NPB stars heading to MLB.

David MacKinnon (@dcmack24) joins us to break down his 2023 teammates:

• Kona Takahashi - The captain who hit 99mph in 2023 and deserves redemption
• Tatsuya Imai - The 26-year-old "rockstar" with the best stuff in NPB

Inside this episode:

🔥 "$250M for Imai might be cheap"

⚾ The "vertical slider" mystery (we still don't know)

🎯 Why Toronto might be the perfect landing spot for Imai

😅 David's horror stories from facing them in spring training

💰 Contract predictions that will shock you

"He threw me a slider that started BEHIND me and ended outside" - actual quote about Imai

Whether you're an MLB scout, NPB fan, or just love baseball stories from inside the clubhouse, this is the deepest dive you'll find on these two aces.

Full episode on YouTube (link in bio) and all podcast platforms tomorrow!

Hosts: @spnjrt & @dcmack24 Sponsored by @jaxathletics

#PacificSwings #NPB #MLB #SeibulLions #BaseballPodcast #JapaneseBaseball #TatsuyaImai #KonaTakahashi #MLBPosting #BaseballScouting #西武ライオンズ #今井達也 #髙橋光成 #野球 #ポッドキャスト

Dietrich Enns went from Yankees prospect to NPB (Seibu Lions) to KBO (LG Twins) and back to MLB with the Tigers and Orioles. The gap between MLB starts? 2,877 days. One of the longest this century.

In this episode, Dietrich joins David and Jasper to talk about:

🔥 Facing Schwarber, Harper & Castellanos in the 8th

🚂 Taking trains with Japanese fans after games

⚾ Breaking down NPB vs KBO vs MLB hitting styles

🦁 Which Seibu Lions pitchers could dominate MLB

👨‍👧 How becoming a father changed everything

"My stuff is so much better now... you just go out there and have fun and enjoy the game."

The Pacific Swings boost is real - he got called up 2 days after our first interview 😏

Hosts: @spnjrt & @DCMacK24 Guest: @dietrichenns

#PacificSwings #MLB #NPB #KBO #Baseball #BaseballPodcast #DietrichEnns #BaltimoreOrioles #DetroitTigers #SeibulLions #LGTwins #JapaneseBaseball #KoreanBaseball #MLBComeback #BaseballLife #PodcastLife #SportsPodcast #BaseballStories #오리올스 #西武ライオンズ

Can Kazuma Okamoto and Munetaka Murakami succeed in MLB?

In this episode of Pacific Swings, David MacKinnon and Jasper Spanjaart break down two of NPB's biggest power hitters: Kazuma Okamoto (Yomiuri Giants) and Munetaka Murakami (Tokyo Yakult Swallows).

David analyzes their swings, projects their MLB futures, and makes bold predictions about contracts and team fits.

Key Topics Covered:

• Kazuma Okamoto's swing mechanics: "His swing will play anywhere"
• Why Okamoto's approach translates to MLB
• Munetaka Murakami's Triple Crown season breakdown
• The biggest challenges Japanese power hitters face in MLB
• Which MLB teams should be calling right now
• Contract predictions: Okamoto $125-180M, Murakami $250M
• Why David thinks Okamoto has higher upside but Murakami will get paid more
• "I think Okamoto might have the better five years"
• Best MLB fits: Murakami to Yankees? Okamoto to Red Sox or Giants?
• Can they hit MLB breaking balls?
• Comparing them to current MLB players
• The mental adjustments required for Japanese hitters in MLB

Sponsored by JAX Athletics - Premium baseball and softball batting gloves. Use code PACIFICSWlNGS for 15% off at jaxathletics.com

Hosts: Jasper Spanjaart & David MacKinnon (@spnjrt & @DCMacK24)

#PacificSwings #KazumaOkamoto #MunetakaMurakami #NPB #JapaneseBaseball #MLBProspects #YomiuriGiants #YakultSwallows

🇯🇵 日本語:

エピソードタイトル: 岡本和真 & 村上宗隆 徹底分析 | Episode 18

読売ジャイアンツの岡本和真と東京ヤクルトスワローズの村上宗隆について、デビッド・マキノンとジャスパー・スパンヤールトが徹底分析。MLB移籍の可能性、スイング解析、契約予想、最適な球団について語ります。

主要トピック:

• 岡本和真のスイング分析「このスイングはどこでも通用する」
• 村上宗隆の三冠王シーズンの秘密
• MLB移籍時の課題と調整点
• 契約予想：岡本1億2500万〜1億8000万ドル、村上2億5000万ドル
• 「岡本の方が可能性は高い。でも村上の方が高額契約になる」
• 「今後5年間は岡本の方が良い成績を残すと思う」
• 最適なMLB球団：村上→ヤンキース？岡本→レッドソックス？
• 日本人パワーヒッターがMLBで苦戦する理由
• MLBの変化球に対応できるか？
• 現役MLB選手との比較分析

岡本和真 成績: 通算248本塁打、打率.277、OPS .882、6年連続30本塁打以上

村上宗隆 成績: 史上最年少三冠王、2022年56本塁打（日本人最多記録）

Season Number: 1 Episode Number: 18

Sponsored by JAX Athletics - コード「PacificSwings」で15%オフ

キーワード: 岡本和真、村上宗隆、読売ジャイアンツ、東京ヤクルトスワローズ、MLB移籍、スイング分析、契約予想

🇰🇷 한국어:

에피소드 제목: 오카모토 가즈마 & 무라카미 무네타카 완벽 분석 | Episode 18

요미우리 자이언츠의 오카모토 가즈마와 도쿄 야쿠르트 스왈로스의 무라카미 무네타카를 데이비드 매키넌과 재스퍼 스판야르트가 완벽 분석. MLB 이적 가능성, 스윙 분석, 계약 예상, 최적의 팀에 대해 이야기합니다.

주요 주제:

• 오카모토 가즈마 스윙 분석 "이 스윙은 어디서든 통한다"
• 무라카미 무네타카의 트리플 크라운 시즌 비결
• MLB 이적 시 과제와 조정점
• 계약 예상: 오카모토 1억 2500만~1억 8000만 달러, 무라카미 2억 5000만 달러
• "오카모토가 더 높은 잠재력을 가지고 있지만 무라카미가 더 큰 계약을 받을 것"

오카모토 가즈마 성적: 통산 248홈런, 타율 .277, OPS .882, 6년 연속 30홈런 이상

무라카미 무네타카 성적: 역대 최연소 트리플 크라운, 2022년 56홈런 (일본인 최다 기록)

Season Number: 1 Episode Number: 18

Sponsored by JAX Athletics - 코드 "PacificSwings"로 15% 할인

키워드: 오카모토 가즈마, 무라카미 무네타카, 요미우리 자이언츠, 도쿄 야쿠르트 스왈로스, MLB 이적, 스윙 분석, 계약 예상

Sponsored by JAX Athletics - Premium baseball and softball batting gloves. Use code PACIFICSWINGS for 15% off at jaxathletics.com

In this episode of Pacific Swings, David MacKinnon reunites with his 2023 Seibu Lions teammate Mark Payton for a conversation that goes beyond the box scores—diving into injuries, Japanese baseball culture, and the reality of playing in NPB when everything goes wrong.

Mark Payton was drafted by the Yankees in 2013 and made his MLB debut with Oakland in 2020. In 2023, he signed with the Seibu Lions alongside David, becoming instant teammates and the only English-speaking position players on the roster. But their season together didn't go as planned—Mark faced a series of devastating injuries that turned his year into a test of mental toughness and perseverance.

Key Topics Covered:

• The infamous press conference where Mark forgot his Japanese and just said "Hi, I'm Mark"
• Spring training in Miyazaki - waking up at 3am with 14-hour time difference and nowhere to go
• Why Japanese defensive practice is completely different and lasts for hours
• The stretcher incident - Mark gets hit in the head by a 92mph fastball and is carried off the field
• Rolling his ankle during backward skipping warmups three days before opening day
• Rehabbing alone in Tokyo - watching David play while stuck doing treatment
• Why Yamashita Shunpeita of Orix might be the best pitcher Mark's ever faced (better than MLB)
• Genda Sosuke's defense - potentially the best defender in the world
• Japanese fan culture - traveling with supporters, custom t-shirts, and loyalty through slumps

From being carried off on a stretcher to discovering the best BBQ in Tokyo during rehab, from dealing with injuries to battling through turf-field pain with icy hot and tape, Mark's story is about resilience, adaptation, and the bond between teammates who lean on each other when everything falls apart.

This is the Lions Reunion Episode - two Americans who lived the same experience but had completely different years.

Sponsored by JAX Athletics - Premium baseball and softball batting gloves. Use code PACIFICSWINGS for 15% off at jaxathletics.com

Hosts: Jasper Spanjaart & David MacKinnon

Subscribe to Pacific Swings on YouTube: youtube.com/@pacificswings

#PacificSwings #MarkPayton #SeibuLions #DavidMacKinnon #NPB #JapaneseBaseball #BaseballPodcast #西武ライオンズ #プロ野球

🇯🇵 日本語: エピソードタイトル: ライオンズ：再会エピソード

2023年、西武ライオンズで共に戦ったマーク・ペイトンとデビッド・マキノンが再会。怪我、日本の野球文化、そしてNPBでプレーする現実について語ります。

主要トピック:

• 悪名高い記者会見「はい、マークです」
• 宮崎春季キャンプ - 午前3時に目覚める日々
• ペッパー練習での苦戦
• 開幕3日前の後ろ向きスキップでの足首負傷
• 東京での孤独なリハビリ生活
• 怪我中の東京探索
• オリックス・山下舜平大投手について

キーワード: マーク・ペイトン、西武ライオンズ、デビッド・マキノン、怪我、リハビリ、記者会見、山下舜平大、源田壮亮

🇰🇷 한국어: 에피소드 제목: 라이온즈: 재회 에피소드

2023년 세이부 라이온즈에서 함께 뛴 마크 페이튼과 데이비드 매키넌이 재회. 부상, 일본 야구 문화, NPB에서 플레이하는 현실에 대해 이야기합니다.

주요 주제:

• 기자회견 실패담
• 미야자키 춘계 캠프
• 일본의 수비 연습
• 머리에 맞은 공과 들것 사건

키워드: 마크 페이튼, 세이부 라이온즈, 데이비드 매키넌, 부상, 재활, 야마시타 슌페이타, 겐다 소스케

In Part 2 of Pacific Swings, David MacKinnon and Jasper Spanjaart continue their conversation with Gosuke Katoh, diving into the mental strategies and development philosophies that shaped his unique career path.

After 10 years grinding through six different MLB organizations, Gosuke finally reached the majors with Toronto before setting NPB rookie records with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters. Now at 30, he's bringing that experience to the Blue Jays front office, evaluating players with a perspective few scouts can match.

Key Topics Covered:

• How different organizations approach player development - from Yankees' power focus to Blue Jays' contact-heavy approach
• Why contact hitting is finally getting valued in modern baseball
• The "I am invincible" mindset he told himself every at-bat to reach league-average confidence
• Managing 10 years of slumps and why experience breeds fearlessness
• Meeting childhood idol Ichiro and learning the importance of routine
• Why he chose Toronto's front office over other opportunities, including the Fighters
• NPB vs MLB development: Japanese infield instruction is "next level"
• The pitch clock and tie debate - why NPB needs both changes
• Kiyomiya Kotaro: The Bryce Harper of Japan and why he's so impressive
• Watching young Fighters teammates succeed in NPB today
• His advice to his 18-year-old self struggling in rookie ball: "Just never give up. A lot of good things will happen."

"The first couple years were the hardest. I was miserable every day in rookie ball. But you just gotta keep going. Me and Mac have the same trajectory - in the end, you just gotta keep going."

From the pressure of being an 18-year-old second-round pick to scouting for a top-5 payroll MLB team, Gosuke's journey shows that persistence and adaptation create opportunities talent alone never could.

Gosuke Katoh is a baseball operations assistant for the Toronto Blue Jays, former utility infielder for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters, and the first player in baseball history to be drafted by both MLB and NPB.

🇯🇵 日本語: エピソードタイトル: ネバー・ギビング・アップ 加藤豪将（後編）

パート2では、加藤豪将の独特なキャリアパスを形作ったメンタル戦略と育成哲学を深掘りします。

主要トピック:

• 球団ごとの選手育成哲学の違い - ヤンキースのパワー重視からブルージェイズのコンタクト重視まで
• コンタクト打法がついに評価される理由
• 打席で自分に言い聞かせた「無敵」マインドセット
• 10年間のスランプ管理と経験が生む恐れ知らず
• 憧れのイチローとの出会いとルーティンの重要性
• ファイターズを含む他のオファーではなくトロントのフロントオフィスを選んだ理由
• NPB vs MLB育成：日本の内野守備指導は「次元が違う」
• ピッチクロックと引き分け論争 - NPBが両方必要な理由
• 清宮幸太郎：日本のブライス・ハーパーと彼が印象的な理由
• 若手ファイターズの同僚が今NPBで活躍する姿を見る喜び
• ルーキーリーグで苦しむ18歳の自分へのアドバイス：「諦めるな。良いことが起こる」

「最初の数年が一番辛かった。ルーキーボールで毎日惨めだった。でも続けるしかない。俺とマックは同じ軌跡をたどった - 結局、続けるしかないんだ」

Season Number: 1 Episode Number: 15 Part 2 加藤豪将インタビュー 後編

キーワード: 加藤豪将、選手育成、メンタルゲーム、イチロー、清宮幸太郎、トロント・ブルージェイズ、日本ハムファイターズ

In this first-part of a two-part episode of Pacific Swings, David MacKinnon and Jasper Spanjaart sit down with Gosuke Katoh, the first player in baseball history to be drafted by both MLB and NPB, who just retired at 30 to join the Toronto Blue Jays front office.

Drafted 66th overall by the New York Yankees in 2013 as an 18-year-old, Gosuke spent a decade grinding through six different organizations in the minor leagues. Then many years later, he woke up at 3am in California to discover he'd made history - the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters had drafted him in Japan, making him the first player ever selected by both leagues.

After finally reaching the majors with Toronto, Gosuke headed to Japan where he set an NPB rookie record with 10 consecutive games with a hit to start his career. Now he's bringing that unique perspective to the Blue Jays front office, scouting and evaluating players while watching the game from an entirely new angle.

Key Topics Covered:

• The historic double draft - being selected by both MLB and NPB
• 10 years in the minor leagues across six organizations and what kept him going
• Waking up at 3am to discover he'd been drafted in Japan
• Why he felt out of place in Japan despite knowing the language and culture
• Playing for Tsuyoshi Shinjo-san and those custom jerseys at Es Con Field

From Yankees farmhand to historic draft pick to Japan Series contender to MLB front office - Gosuke's journey proves that persistence and adaptation can take you places you never imagined.

Gosuke Katoh is a baseball operations assistant for the Toronto Blue Jays, former utility infielder for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters, and the first player in baseball history to be drafted by both MLB and NPB.

🇯🇵 日本語: エピソードタイトル: ネバー・ギビング・アップ 加藤豪将（前編）

史上初のMLB・NPB両ドラフト指名選手、加藤豪将が登場！2013年ヤンキース2巡目指名から10年間のマイナーリーグ生活、2016年日本ハムファイターズからの指名、そして30歳でブルージェイズのフロントオフィスへ転身するまでの軌跡を語ります。

主要トピック:

• 史上初のMLB・NPB両ドラフト指名の舞台裏
• マイナーリーグで10年間生き残る方法
• 午前3時に目覚めて知った日本ハムからの指名
• 日本語が話せても感じた日本での違和感
• 新庄監督の下でのプレー

Season Number: 1 Episode Number: 15 Part 1 加藤豪将インタビュー

キーワード: 加藤豪将、日本ハムファイターズ、トロント・ブルージェイズ、ドラフト、新庄剛志、イチロー

🇰🇷 한국어: 에피소드 제목: 네버 기빙 업 가토 히데마사 (1부)

역사상 최초로 MLB와 NPB 양쪽에서 드래프트된 선수 가토 히데마사가 출연! 2013년 양키스 2라운드 지명부터 10년간의 마이너리그 생활, 2016년 홋카이도 닛폰햄 파이터즈 지명, 그리고 30세에 블루제이스 프런트오피스로 전향하기까지의 궤적을 들려줍니다.

주요 주제:

• 역사상 최초 MLB·NPB 양쪽 드래프트 지명
• 마이너리그에서 10년간 생존하는 법
• 새벽 3시에 일어나 알게 된 일본 드래프트 지명
• 일본어를 해도 느낀 일본에서의 이질감
• 신죠 감독 밑에서의 플레이

Season Number: 1 Episode Number: 15 Part 1 가토 히데마사 인터뷰

키워드: 가토 히데마사, 홋카이도 닛폰햄 파이터즈, 토론토 블루제이스, 드래프트, 신죠 타케시, 이치로

In this episode of Pacific Swings, David MacKinnon and Jasper Spanjaart sit down with Anthony Kay, the Yokohama DeNA BayStars left-hander who went from first-round draft pick heartbreak to Japan Series champion in one of baseball's most inspiring turnaround stories.

Drafted 31st overall by his hometown New York Mets in 2016, Anthony's dream quickly turned into a nightmare when he needed Tommy John surgery immediately after signing. Fast-forward to 2024, and he's throwing six hitless innings in the playoffs and celebrating Japan's ultimate prize with the BayStars.

Anthony opens up about the mental challenge of that year-plus rehab, why he's become a "completely different pitcher" in Japan, and how Trevor Bauer has helped refine his approach. From learning a devastating two-seam fastball to keep Japanese hitters honest, to understanding why throwing 500 batting practice swings daily is just normal in Japanese spring training.

Key Topics Covered:

• The Tommy John surgery right after being drafted and the lonely rehab process
• Why the 2024 Japan Series championship was every kid's dream scenario
• How he's transformed his pitch arsenal: 90-92 mph cutter and new two-seam fastball
• Trevor Bauer's mentorship and analytical approach to pitching
• Facing Murakami, Okamoto, and Sato - the Central League's most dangerous hitters
• The bizarre Japanese playoff system that gives teams free wins
• Why NPB training culture is completely different from America
• Learning to control emotions on the mound in Japanese culture
• How the strike zone is wider but shorter in Japan
• Why balls hit 440 feet only reach the warning track in Japanese ballparks
• The Cape Cod connection with David and those simpler baseball days

From Wareham Gatemen teammates to crossing paths again on Pacific Swings - Anthony proves that sometimes baseball takes you exactly where you need to be, even if it's 7,000 miles from where you started.

Anthony Kay is the left-handed pitcher for the Yokohama DeNA BayStars, 2024 Japan Series champion, and former first-round draft pick of the New York Mets who has found his home and success in Japanese baseball.

🇯🇵 日本語: エピソードタイトル: アンソニー・ケイ：トミージョン手術から日本シリーズ優勝まで

横浜DeNAベイスターズの左腕アンソニー・ケイが登場！2016年メッツ1巡目指名直後のトミージョン手術から2024年日本シリーズ制覇まで、野球人生の波乱万丈な軌跡を語ります。

主要トピック:

• トミージョン手術とリハビリの孤独な過程
• 2024年日本シリーズ優勝の軌跡
• 投球フォーム改造：90-92マイルのカッターと新ツーシーム
• トレバー・バウアーとの関係
• 村上・岡本・佐藤との対戦
• 日本の練習文化とアメリカとの違い

Season Number: 1 Episode Number: 14 Anthony Kay Interview キーワード: アンソニー・ケイ、横浜DeNAベイスターズ、日本シリーズ、トミージョン手術、トレバー・バウアー

🇰🇷 한국어: 에피소드 제목: 앤서니 케이: 토미 존 수술에서 일본시리즈 우승까지

요코하마 DeNA 베이스타즈의 좌완 앤서니 케이가 출연! 2016년 메츠 1라운드 지명 직후 토미 존 수술부터 2024년 일본시리즈 제패까지, 파란만장한 야구 인생을 들려줍니다.

주요 주제:

• 토미 존 수술과 재활의 고독한 과정
• 2024년 일본시리즈 우승 여정
• 투구 폼 개조: 90-92마일 커터와 새로운 투심
• 트레버 바우어와의 관계
• 무라카미·오카모토·사토와의 대결
• 일본 연습 문화와 미국과의 차이

Season Number: 1 Episode Number: 14 앤서니 케이 인터뷰 키워드: 앤서니 케이, 요코하마 DeNA 베이스타즈, 일본시리즈, 토미 존 수술, 트레버 바우어