Japanese players who excelled in the 2023 World Baseball Classic are now MLB stars, and several more could follow suit. Outfielder Masataka Yoshida, a Red Sox DH, hit 9-for-22 with two homers before his MLB debut. Third baseman Munetaka Murakami, signed by the White Sox, delivered a walk-off double in the WBC semifinals.

Left-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto, a Dodgers pitcher, had a dominant postseason after winning the Sawamura Award with a 2.52 ERA and 195 strikeouts. These players used the WBC stage to showcase their skills before joining MLB. The 2023 WBC team's success has paved the way for future Japanese talent to make similar jumps.