Shotaro Morii Embarks on MLB Three-Way Player Experiment with Athletics' Affiliate

PEORIA, ARIZONA — On March 14, 2025, Shotaro Morii #18 of the Oakland Athletics stepped up to the plate during the eighth inning of a spring training game against the San Diego Padres at Peoria Stadium. The moment captured Morii’s versatility, a trait that now defines his professional journey.

While Shohei Ohtani remains the most prominent two-way player in MLB, Morii is poised to become the next pioneer in a three-way role—pitching, hitting, and playing the field. Tonight, the 18-year-old prospect makes his debut in this experimental format with the Athletics’ Single-A affiliate, the Stockton Ports.

Morii’s Unconventional Path to Professional Baseball

Signed by the Athletics in January 2025, Morii became the highest-paid Japanese amateur player outside Nippon Professional Baseball, securing a bonus exceeding $1.5 million. His journey with the Ports will test his ability to excel in multiple facets of the game simultaneously.

Game Plan: Hitting, Pitching, and Fielding

Morii’s schedule is designed for balance:

• Hitting: He will appear in three or four games weekly, serving as either the designated hitter or Stockton’s second baseman.
• Pitching: On Thursdays, Morii will take the mound, starting with one inning and gradually increasing to three innings per appearance.
• Rest and Recovery: Fridays are reserved for rest, while Saturday bullpen sessions prepare him for game action.

“He is attempting to do something that is very difficult,” said Ed Sprague, the Athletics’ farm director. “His offensive game is ahead of his pitching, but he has a great arm and is committed to doing both. I think he could have stayed at shortstop for a while if he just played on one side of the ball, but we both felt like second base would lessen the workload.”

Performance Highlights and Early Success

In 2025, Morii appeared in 43 games for the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League (ACL) team, posting a slash line of .258/.399/.384 with three home runs. This season, in just four ACL games, he has slashed .308/.385/.742, showcasing rapid offensive improvement.

Morii also made his pitching debut in the ACL this year, facing four batters, striking out two, and allowing only one hit.

“He has been hampered with some minor injuries to start his career, so we will take it slow as he progresses to pitching and playing a position in the pro game. We are excited to see him get out to an affiliate and get started.”
— Ed Sprague, Athletics Farm Director

What’s Next for Shotaro Morii?

The Ports and Athletics organization are prioritizing Morii’s long-term development, ensuring he avoids overexertion as he adapts to the demands of professional baseball. His ability to handle the three-way role could set a new standard for player versatility in MLB.

As Morii steps onto the field tonight, baseball fans will be watching closely to see if he can become the next Shohei Ohtani—or something even more groundbreaking.