Shotaro Morii

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Athletics #18 prospect in 2025
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/Extreme
  
  Track Record: Top high school prospects in Japan nearly always remain home to begin their professional careers. But after hitting 45 home runs and reaching the mid 90s on the mound as a prep, Morii bucked that trend. Instead, the 18-year-old two-way prospect signed for $1.5 million as the Athletics’ top target in their 2025 international signing class. Morii has already arrived stateside and is expected to participate in minor league spring training.
  
  Scouting Report: Naturally, Morii’s two-way exploits generated plenty of intrigue upon his signing. He’s presently more advanced as a hitter. The lefthander has a simple, well-balanced swing with good enough barrel control to project lower swing-and-miss rates as he develops along with solid pull-side power. As one might expect, he has plenty of arm strength to stick at shortstop where he moves well with solid actions. Morii has been up to 95 mph on the mound and the makings of a three-pitch mix, showing feel for both a slider and splitter.
  
  The Future: Morii signed with the A’s in part because of their willingness to allow him to pursue both hitting and pitching. The 18-year-old is expected to begin that journey in the Arizona Complex League in 2025.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 50 | Run: 50 | Field: 50 | Arm: 60. Fastball: 55 | Slider: 45 | Split: 45 | Control: 45.