Episode 2: Spring Surprises & Japanese Baseball Headlines + Robbie Perkins on Shota Imanaga

03/10/25 • 68 min

Spring Training is in full swing, and we break down the biggest surprises—including Aussie Curtis Mead tearing it up for the Rays. We also dive into some of the hottest Japanese baseball headlines, from Roki Sasaki’s devastating splitter to 35-year-old rookie Tomoyuki Sugano. Then, Aussie catcher Robbie Perkins joins us to talk about his time catching Shota Imanaga in Canberra and what to expect from the Cubs' lefty as he takes the mound in the MLB Japan Series.

Previous Episode

Episode 1: Welcome to the Baseball Expats!

In our debut episode, Andrew and Eric introduce themselves and The Baseball Expats—your new home for all things international baseball. We’re joined by MLB.com’s Michael Clair, who takes us on a global scouting trip, highlighting exciting international prospects from every continent on Earth. Plus, Rhys Columbus jumps in to help the guys make some bold predictions for the upcoming MLB season. Buckle up for insight, laughs, and a fresh perspective on baseball around the world!

Mike Clair’s prospects to watch 👇
Asia
Yu Min Lin (TPE) https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=lin---001yu-
Hiroto Takahashi (JPN) https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=takaha004hir
Africa
David Matoma (UGA) https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=matoma000dav
Europe
Marek Chlup (CZE) https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=chlup-000mar
Sem Robberse (NED) https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=robber000sem
Australia
Max Durrington https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=durrin000max
Brent Iredale https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=iredal000bre
South America
Michael Arroyo (COL) https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=arroyo001mic
Daniel Missaki (BRA) https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=missak000dan
Central America
Elian Rayo (NCA) https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=rayo--000eli
Ismael Munguia (NCA) https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=mungui000ism
North America
Chandler Simpson (USA) https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=simpso006cha
Antarctica (Arctica)
Lyle Miller-Green (RUS) https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=miller000lyl

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Next Episode

Episode 3: Tokyo Takeover – Jon Morosi on the Japan Series & Bold World Series Picks

This week, MLB.com’s JP Morosi joins us to break down the Tokyo Series between the Dodgers and Cubs! We talk about what this historic opener means for Japanese baseball, the hype leading up to it, and what to expect from both teams. Plus, JP shares a few hilarious stories and drops a World Series prediction that might just blow your mind.
And guess what? Spoon is back from holidays and ready to dish out his picks for the first two games of the MLB season.
⚾ Subscribe now & don’t miss a pitch!
📲 Follow us on Instagram & X: @baseballexpats