Phillies

Phillies Sign Koyo Aoyagi to Minor-League Contract, Invite to Spring Training

By Luke Arcaini

Published: Jan 18th, 2025 · 8:50 PM EST

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The Phillies have not had a Japanese player since So Taguchi in 2008. Now, that changes:

The #Phillies are bringing Japanese right-hander Koyo Aoyagi, 31, to camp as a non-roster invitee. Nine-year veteran, three-time All-Star (2019, 2021-22) with the Hanshin Tigers. 61-47 with a 3.08 ERA in his career.

— Todd Zolecki (@ToddZolecki) January 18, 2025

The team announced Friday night that they signed Koyo Aoyagi to a minor-league contract with an invite to Spring Training.

Aoyagi, 31, has pitched in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball League for nine seasons. He’s a 3-time all-star in the NPB and has a funky side-arm delivery:

Koyo Aoyagi’s stats with the Hanshin Tigers of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB):

154 G | 898.1 IP | 810 H | 307 ER | 299 BB | 647 K | 3.08 ERA | 1.235 WHIPpic.twitter.com/a7ZWlojFLG

— Phillies Tailgate (@PhilsTailgate) January 18, 2025

There’s still one more spot up for grabs in the Phillies bullpen. Aoyagi isn’t guaranteed that spot by any means, but what he brings to the table could put him in that spot. He’s an experienced pitcher in professional baseball, even if it wasn’t in the States. Right now, here’s where the Phillies bullpen stands…

• Matt Strahm
• Orion Kerkering
• Jordan Romano
• Jose Alvarado
• Jose Ruiz
• Joe Ross
• Tanner Banks
• (last spot up for grabs)

The player himself is one thing, but the Phillies finally landing a Japanese player is the biggest win of this entire situation. It’s hard to get Japanese players to play on the East Coast. The Phillies have finally landed their guy. They’ll give him a shot down in Clearwater and let him compete to be on the big league club.

In addition to the acquisition of Aoyagi, the Phillies acquired Dylan Campbell from the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for international bonus pool money. Campbell was one of eight minor leaguers to finish the year with 20 doubles, 10 homers, and 40 stolen bases in 2024, per Baseball America.

If you hadn’t heard, #Phillies pitchers and catchers will hold their first workout in Clearwater, Fla., on Feb. 12.

The team’s first full-squad workout is Feb. 17.

Grapefruit League opener is Feb. 22 vs. DET in Lakeland. Home opener is Feb. 23 vs. BAL at BayCare Ballpark.

— Todd Zolecki (@ToddZolecki) January 14, 2025