Tyler Austin, a former Yankee as soon as referred to by Brian Cashman as a “mega prospect,” is again within the majors.
The primary baseman signed a one-year, $1.25 million deal, together with incentives, with the Chicago Cubs, The Publish’s Jon Heyman confirmed.
Austin, 34, has spent the previous half-decade-plus in Japan’s Nippon Skilled Baseball, evolving into one of many league’s most prolific hitters.
In six seasons with the Yokohama DeNA Baystars, the two-time NPB All-Star slashed .293/.377/.568 with 85 homers and 236 RBIs.
Austin posted his finest NPB marketing campaign in 2024, main the league in batting common (.316) and OPS (.983) and ending third in homers (25) over 106 video games.
That very same season, he suffered a freak damage whereas altering his jersey.
Since 2020, Austin’s three seasons with a slugging share of .600 or higher are probably the most in NPB, forward of slugger Munetaka Murakami (two), who is anticipated to signal with an MLB workforce forward of his posting window expiring this coming Monday.
“Baseball followers all throughout Japan are unbelievable!” Austin wrote in a 2023 essay for the Gamers’ Tribune, noting former Yankees teammate Masahiro Tanaka performed a task in convincing him to play within the nation. “They’re like nothing I’ve ever seen or skilled earlier than in all my years in baseball.”
Austin’s profession resurgence got here after a lackluster four-year run within the majors.
A Thirteenth-round choose by the Yankees in 2010, Austin toiled within the minors for six years earlier than debuting within the majors on August 13, 2016 — the identical day as Aaron Decide.
Remarkably, Austin and Decide hit back-to-back dwelling runs — each of their first MLB at-bats.
“These are thrilling younger guys who must now show themselves right here,” basic supervisor Brian Cashman stated on the time. “Some will do a greater job of that than others. Some will battle.”
Decide grew to become arguably the very best hitter in baseball and a multiple-time MVP whereas Austin struggled with the bat.
Apart from his involvement in a wild brawl with the Crimson Sox at Fenway Park in April 2018, Austin struggled to persistently join in opposition to opposing pitchers, hitting a meager .235 in 85 profession video games with New York.
He was traded to the Minnesota Twins later that 12 months as a part of a package deal for veteran pitcher Lance Lynn.
After being designated for task by the Twins in April 2019, Austin latched on with the Giants and the Brewers the remainder of the season.
Austin loved a standout run with Workforce USA in the course of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, a becoming prelude to his NPB success.
All informed, Austin’s profession MLB slash line stands at .219/.292/.451 with 33 HRs and 91 RBIs throughout 209 video games.
