January 5: The Yokohama DeNA BayStars of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball announced the signing of a right-hander Jon Duplantier. The 31-year-old will remain in Japan for a second season after spending the ’25 season with the Hanshin Tigers.
Duplantier, a former highly regarded prospect with the Diamondbacks, has been held back by injuries. He made just nineteen appearances between 2019 and 2021. A lat strain caused Arizona to cut him from the 40-man roster midway through the 2021 season. The Rice product then bounced around on minor league contracts with Arizona, San Francisco, Philadelphia, the Mets, Dodgers and Milwaukee without reaching the majors. The Brewers granted him his release last year to pursue an NPB opportunity.
Duplantier’s first season in Japan could hardly have gone better from a performance perspective. He struck out 32.4% of opponents at a walk rate of 5.7% while working to a 1.39 earned run average. Health was again the caveat, as he was limited to 15 starts and 90 2/3 innings due to a lower-body injury. His numbers were so impressive that some thought he might return to the United States. He apparently found a superior offer to join a new NPB club instead. If he can put together a full season close to his ’25 level of production, he should be in position to command a big league contract next season.
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