Who are Team Japan’s stars not named Shohei Ohtani? Listing out the big names of the WBC finalists

Team Japan may have been led by Shohei Ohtani’s two-way brilliance, but they have a ton of stars on their roster. From the start of the World Baseball Classic, they were a favorite to win it all (along with the United States and the Dominican Republic).

Ohtani was brilliant, but the Japanese roster is deep and talented. There’s a good reason they’re still standing and have a very strong chance of taking home the trophy.

Team Japan: Not just Shohei Ohtani anymore

For an example of this, look no further than last night. Though he struggled a bit in four innings of work, Roki Sasaki is a pitching phenom. He’s only 21 and already has MLB teams clamoring for his services.

Japan are only in the WBC final because of a walk-off double by Muneteka Murakami. With Team Japan facing elimination, Murakami calmly walked to the plate.

The slugger delivered a game-winning two-run double to put the Japanese side into the final. Prior to that, Mexico held a three-run lead that was erased by another Japanese star.

Recent Boston Red Sox signee Masataka Yoshida blasted a three-run home run to tie the game. When the Mexican side took the lead again, Murakami came through.

Lars Nootbaar has been excellent too. The St. Louis Cardinals star has manned center field with excellence and is hitting .318 out of the leadoff spot, too.

The Japanese team has a well-rounded roster and it wouldn’t surprise any baseball fans to see them win. With just Shohei Ohtani, that would be impossible.