Masahiro Norimoto, a pitcher from Japan's professional league, has already secured a Major League Baseball contract and is expected to make a final decision soon.

Masahiro Norimoto, a pitcher from Japan's Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles, has reportedly obtained a Major League Baseball contract offer following his use of overseas free agency rights. Insiders reveal that he is evaluating the conditions and is expected to finalize his decision in the near future.

Born in Shiga Prefecture, Masahiro Norimoto attended Hachiman Commercial High School and Chukyo University before being selected second overall by the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles in the 2012 draft. In his rookie year in the top league, he won 15 games and earned the Rookie of the Year award. From 2014 to 2018, he led the league in strikeouts for five consecutive seasons and set a league record in 2017 with eight straight games recording double-digit strikeouts.

During the first half of his career, Norimoto primarily served as a starting pitcher, achieving double-digit wins for six straight seasons from 2013 to 2018, and again in 2021 and 2022. Beginning in 2024, he transitioned to a closer role, appearing in 54 games that season with 32 saves; last season, he pitched in 56 games, recording a 3-4 win-loss record, 16 saves, 10 holds, and a 3.05 ERA.

Over 13 seasons in Nippon Professional Baseball, Masahiro Norimoto has played in 373 games (259 as a starter), compiling a 120-99 win-loss record, 48 saves, 14 holds, and a 3.12 ERA, while being selected to the All-Star game six times. Should he decide to move to the United States, he will embark on a new chapter in his professional career.