Three years ago, when the Boston Red Sox signed Masataka Yoshida, their first look at him in real game-action came in the World Baseball Classic. Yoshida massively delivered for his home country of Japan.
The then-recent Nippon Professional Baseball star clocked nine hits, including two home runs, five runs, four walks, a lone strikeout and a WBC record 13 RBI over seven games. Yoshida was a huge part of the player group that carried his team to the championship, and he could be primed to do the same thing this year.
Yoshida is off to a hot start with team Japan after just one game. The outfielder went 2-for-3 at the plate against team Taiwan with a walk, an RBI and two runs. Yoshida's RBI came off a triple smoked to right field — it's the first triple he hit since he joined the Red Sox in 2023. He logged three triples that season.
Yoshida also homered in Japan's exhibition game against his former team, the Orix Buffaloes. While he isn't known for home run power, Yoshida comes in clutch from time to time. In 2026, the Red Sox could be desperate for pop in their lineup and Yoshida's early results in the WBC and in spring training are reassuring.
Red Sox outfielder/DH Masataka Yoshida is on a roll early in the World Baseball Classic
Checking in with Masa at the Tokyo Dome! pic.twitter.com/Xt3oba86X8
— Red Sox (@RedSox) March 6, 2026
The WBC seems to bring something special out of Yoshida. Sure, the competition doesn't match up to what he was used to in NPB and his MLB experience will make him even better prepared for the tournament, but he delivers when his team needs him. There could also be something special about representing one's home country that helps players come through — whatever it is, the Red Sox need to find out.
Last tournament, Yoshida carried his hot start into the regular season. He batted .289/.338/.445 with a .783 OPS, 15 home runs, 81 strikeouts, 34 walks and 72 RBI over 140 games. In his two big league seasons since then, his offensive impact has decreased and he's played fewer games each year (mostly due to injuries).
But Yoshida is healthy going into the season and the WBC represents a crucial wake up for him, as he's a slow starter after the offseason or an injured list stint. If Yoshida can keep up his hot start, the Red Sox may be forced to find playing time for him despite their confusing outfield/DH situation.