Akiyama, Tsutsugo, Cronenworth, Castellanos: More WBSC Premier12 stars playing in MLB

Akiyama, Tsutsugo, Cronenworth, Castellanos: More WBSC Premier12 stars playing in MLB
05/08/2020
The Cincinnati Reds gave a present to Akiyama for his first big league hit. Tsutsugo homered on opening day after going long more than 200 times in his NPB career. Cronenworth moved from shortstop to first base, while the Astros' called up Mexico's Humberto Castellanos.

Cincinnati Reds teammates believed Shogo Akiyama deserved something special for getting his first hit in his first MLB at-bat, a pinch-hit against the Detroit Tigers on 24 July. They delivered their present directly to him in the clubhouse after the game.

Akiyama, born 1988, holds the single season record for hits (216) in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He played nine seasons for the Seibu Lions, earning a couple of gold gloves (2013, 2015) as an outfielder and appearing in five All-Star Games. He moved to MLB on a three-year US $21 million contract in January.

Akiyama was one of the stars of WBSC Premier12 2015 and missed the 2019 edition after an injury during a warm-up game against Canada. He cheered notheless for his teammates from the dugout.

Yoshitomo Tsutsugo, born 1991, was on the Samurai Japan roster for the Premier12 2015. He moved to MLB for the 2020 season after starring for the NPB Yokohama Bay Stars from 2010 to 2019.

Tsutsugo blasted 205 home runs in Japan and signed a two-year, US$ 12 million contract with the Tampa Bay Rays. The left-handed slugger connected for his first home run on opening day. It was a fifth-inning two-run shot against the Toronto Blue Jays.

Jake Cronenworth is another WBSC Premier12 alumnus who is having an impact at the MLB level. The 26-year old was the USA starting shortstop at the Premier12 2019. He has been a middle infielder and a relief pitcher for most of his career, starting from the college years with the Michigan Wolverines to his Minor League Baseball (MiLB) seasons with the Tampa Bay Rays.


Cronenworth was traded to the San Diego Padres in December and made his MLB debut on 26 July. He is now playing first base, a position he hadn't played for at least five years.

"We believe in him," commented Jayce Tingler, the Padres manager. "Seeing him make plays and have at-bats and not be overwhelmed with anything is really encouraging".

The Houston Astros also called up Humberto Castellanos, who helped the Mexican National Team earn their first Olympic berth in history, winning the 2019 WBSC Premier12 bronze medal to qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

Other recent MLB call-ups include the Angels' Jo Adell and Pirates' Cody Ponce.