Hayato Sakamoto made his NPB debut in 2007 at age 18 after being selected in the first round out of high school, and he has been a permanent fixture at shortstop for the Giants since 2008. After hitting 31 home runs in 2010, the power stroke has somewhat eluded Sakamoto in recent years with HR totals in the teens the past five seasons. However, he already has eight home runs in 2016; posted a .348/.420/.643 slash line through 35 games; and recently hitting home runs in consecutive games on May 6th and 7th. Oakland fans I’m sure remember Hiroki Nakajima and will likely cringe if Sakamoto’s name gets mentioned later this season; however Sakamoto actually profiles as an above-average defender at shortstop with the bat being secondary. That said, he does play for the Yomiuri Giants and walking away from a career as their captain could be a big ask.
