The Phillies are bringing in Koyo Aoyagi, a former Nippon Professional Baseball All-Star pitcher, as a non-roster invitee to spring training. The 31-year-old will compete for a spot on the Phillies’ major league roster in Clearwater. Aoyagi has spent the past nine seasons with the Hanshin Tigers, earning All-Star honors in 2019, 2021, and 2022. He also won gold with Samurai Japan at the 2020 Olympics and started Game 7 of the Tigers’ 2023 Japan Series championship.
Aoyagi is the first player the Phillies have signed directly from Japan. If he makes the major league roster, he will become just the third Japanese player to ever appear in a game for the Phillies, joining Tadahito Iguchi (2007-2008) and So Taguchi (2008).
Aoyagi, who has experience as both a starter and reliever, could serve as a swingman for the Phillies. While the starting rotation appears set with Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, Cristopher Sanchez, Ranger Suárez, and Jesús Luzardo, there is an open spot in the bullpen.
Phillies assistant general manager Jorge Velandia shared his thoughts on the signing with MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki. “He’s done a bit of everything – starting and relieving. He just needs to come in and show us what he can do. That’s his mentality. He’s a warrior, eager for the opportunity to pitch in the big leagues.”
Aoyagi is a sidearm pitcher known for generating ground balls, with a fastball that typically sits in the low 90s. In 2024, he split time between the majors and minors, posting a 3.69 ERA with the big league team.
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