There can't be a discussion about best pitcher in Japan anymore without Shohei Otani's name being mentioned. The young Hokkaido Nippon Ham star has been making that perfectly clear since the season began.
What he's doing this year is amazing. It's also reminiscent of how two other celebrated Japanese stars made the leap from great to elite.
Otani enters this week 9-1 with an NPB-best 1.47 ERA. Opponents are currently hitting just .154 off him.