Brief

Hanshin slugger Teruaki Sato seeks MLB posting after triple‑crown season

Sato, 27, posted a .306 average with 39 home runs and 106 RBIs and is looking to join an MLB club.

By Felo News Desk · Published Tue, 20 Oct 2026 08:28:23 GMT

Tokyo (AP) – Hanshin Tigers power hitter Teruaki Sato announced his intention to pursue a move to Major League Baseball through the posting system, the Japanese news agency Kyodo reported.

Sato posted a .306 batting average, 39 home runs and 106 RBIs in the 2026 season, earning the Central League triple crown. He has played 803 NPB games, compiling a .271 career average with 163 homers and 518 RBIs.

"I am grateful to the team for respecting my wishes," Sato said in a statement released by the Tigers.

Sato also represented Japan at the World Baseball Classic, helping the national team reach the quarter‑finals.

Key facts

• Teruaki Sato hit 39 home runs and drove in 106 runs in the 2026 season. (winnipegfreepress.com)
• Sato posted a .306 batting average and won the Central League triple crown. (winnipegfreepress.com)
• He is seeking a move to MLB via the posting system, according to Kyodo. (winnipegfreepress.com)
• Sato thanked the Hanshin Tigers for respecting his wishes in a statement. (winnipegfreepress.com)
• He played for Japan’s national team that reached the World Baseball Classic quarterfinals. (winnipegfreepress.com)

Sources

• [1] winnipegfreepress.com — originally reported as “Japanese slugger Teruaki Sato seeking a move to Major League Baseball”