Giants apologise to Yokohama High over Oda draft pick, but he skips the meeting

The Yomiuri Giants went to school on Tuesday. Not to study, but to say sorry. The team visited Yokohama High School to greet Shoki Oda, the 18-year-old pitcher they picked first in last month's draft, even though he had said he was heading to the US.

Oda himself was in class and did not attend.

What happened?

Giants general manager of player development Yoshihito Mizuno and scouting director Shinsuke Kurematsu visited on November 10. They were met by Yokohama High baseball coach Hiroaki Murata and team manager Daiki Takayama.

The Giants apologised for the stir caused by their surprise pick and explained how they came to make it. Mizuno later told reporters the club only hopes Oda will choose the Giants as the place to prepare for becoming the best pitcher in the world. He said the team would build a proper development plan for him.

Murata said the decision isn't his to make. He will pass everything on to Oda and his mother, he said, and think about what comes next.

Why is this such a big deal?

Oda announced on October 1 that he would go straight to US pro baseball instead of joining NPB (Japan's pro league). On October 23, the Giants picked him first anyway, which set off a public debate.

After the draft, Oda said his determination to take on America had not wavered at all. In November he began meeting Major League Baseball clubs. According to Murata, he has already met six teams and will meet six more.

What's next?

The Giants' new manager, Hideki Matsui, may go and negotiate in person. On November 9 he said, "If the club asks me, I'll go."

For now, the ball is in Oda's court. He has not changed his stated plan, and the MLB meetings continue.