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Report: Half of MLB teams in Japan to see Otani's latest start

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As the 2017 season draws closer to its conclusion, teams all around Major League Baseball are doing their due diligence on one player who could become the most sought-after free agent of the offseason.

Fifteen teams requested seats to watch the latest start of two-way phenom Shohei Otani in Japan, reports Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.

A scout told Rosenthal that Otani, who pitched for the second time this season, sat between 94 and 100 mph with his fastball, and although his command was spotty, he looked healthy. Otani had been dealing with injuries to both his thigh and ankle.

The 23-year-old right-hander pitched 3 1/3 innings, allowing a three-run home run, and left the contest trailing 4-1. That's an improvement over his last start, when he allowed four earned over 1 1/3.

Otani has drawn comparisons to legendary slugger Babe Ruth because of his ability to both pitch and hit. Prior to his latest outing, Otani was hitting .342/.402/.548 with five home runs and 22 RBIs for the Nippon Ham Fighters of the Japan Pacific League.

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