Ryuhei Sotani曽谷龍平
Orix Buffaloes · Pitcher (LHP starter)
A left-handed starter for the Orix Buffaloes. Born in 2000 and a 2022 first-round pick out of Hakuoh University, he was named to Japan’s 2026 WBC roster. He shuts down lefties with a low-to-mid-90s fastball and a sharp sweeper, and is seen as an heir to Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
Why MLB is watching
Just Baseball notes his 4.01 ERA masked much better underlying numbers (a 2.93 FIP and 2.93 SIERA) hurt by poor batted-ball luck and defense; he needs a pitch for righties but keeps dominating lefties. EssentiallySports frames him as a “spiritual successor to Yoshinobu Yamamoto,” and his 2026 WBC selection has raised his overseas profile.
Posting / FA outlook
No posting or free-agency timetable yet; a strong 2026 WBC could lift his stock.
Comparable MLB player
A left-handed starter in the mold Orix hopes will succeed Yoshinobu Yamamoto, living off a fastball-sweeper mix.
This season
- G
- 8
- ERA
- 3.08
- W-L
- 4-3
- IP
- 49.2
- SO
- 45
As of 2026-06-30 · Source: NPB official