WASHINGTON, July 27, 2020 — Foster Griffin is getting a second chance in the major leagues, signing a one-year, $5.5 million contract with the Nationals after successfully rebuilding his career in Japan.
From Relief Role to Rotation Hopeful: Griffin’s Unexpected Journey
After years bouncing between the majors and minors, a stint in Japan revitalized the left-hander’s career.
- Foster Griffin went to Japan in 2021 primarily to secure a starting pitching role, something he couldn’t find in MLB.
- During three seasons with the Yomiuri Giants, Griffin posted an 18-10 record with a 2.57 ERA and 318 strikeouts.
- The Nationals are counting on Griffin to bring much-needed experience to a young pitching rotation.
Three years ago, Foster Griffin didn’t envision a return to the major leagues when he accepted an offer to pitch for the Yomiuri Giants. He simply needed a place to start. After drifting between Triple-A, Kansas City, and Toronto, making just seven MLB relief appearances from 2020-2022, the opportunity in Japan felt like his only path forward. “It’s tough so far to wrap my head around it, to be honest with you,” Griffin said in a Zoom session with reporters Tuesday. “You hear about some guys going to Japan and coming back and getting deals. But to be honest with you, that was never at the front of my mind when I left. I just wanted to go out there and re-establish myself as a starter. I kind of feel like I got this second chance at baseball in my career, by getting the opportunity to go to Japan.”
A Resurgence in Tokyo
The Nationals, seeking experience for their developing rotation, looked to Tokyo for a solution. They found Griffin, a former first-round pick who dramatically turned his career around overseas. In three seasons with Yomiuri, Griffin went 18-10 with a stellar 2.57 ERA, a 1.033 WHIP, and an impressive 318 strikeouts in just 315 2/3 innings pitched. This past season, he reached his peak, going 6-1 with a remarkable 1.52 ERA and 0.966 WHIP in 17 starts, earning a selection to the NPB Central League All-Star team.
What changes did Griffin make to revitalize his pitching? He expanded his repertoire, adding a splitter to induce weak contact and a sweeper to counter left-handed hitters, becoming a more complete pitcher.
Griffin’s success wasn’t accidental. He refined his pitching arsenal, adding a splitter to generate weak contact and a sweeper to better handle tough left-handed batters. He also immersed himself in the study of scouting reports, learning to navigate opposing lineups like a seasoned veteran. “I learned how to be a starter again,” he stated.
Early Promise Interrupted
Griffin was originally drafted in 2014 out of Orlando. He finally made his MLB debut with the Royals on July 27, 2020 – his 25th birthday – pitching in relief. He retired the side in his first inning and two of three batters in his second, but disaster struck. “I was throwing really well, and then I felt something in my elbow in that second inning that I went out there,” Griffin recalled. “As soon as you get there, the world comes crashing down a little bit. But I had to just say ‘it is what it is’ and move forward. That’s really all I could do.”
The injury revealed a torn ulnar collateral ligament, requiring Tommy John surgery. He didn’t fully recover until 2022, making five more relief appearances with the Royals before a trade to the Blue Jays, where he pitched only once in late September before being released two months later. These setbacks ultimately led him to Japan.
Looking Ahead with the Nationals
Now, Griffin is eager to capitalize on his opportunity with the Nationals. The contract, worth $5.5 million, makes him the second-highest paid starter on the team behind veteran Trevor Williams, and he’s expected to be in the Opening Day rotation. He will also re-enter free agency next winter despite his lack of prior MLB service time. Griffin is optimistic about translating his success from Japan back to the major league level. “At first it was one year. And then one year turned into three years. It was an unbelievable experience,” he said. “I’m really excited to see what I’ve done over there, the changes I’ve made and how I’ve developed as a pitcher, how that will translate back to the big league level.”
Nationals Finalize Coaching Staff
The Nationals have completed their coaching staff, adding Shawn O’Malley as assistant hitting coach. O’Malley, 37, spent the last six seasons as a hitting coach in Seattle’s farm system, most recently at Triple-A Tacoma. He played parts of three seasons in the majors with the Angels (2014) and Mariners (2015-16). Manager Blake Butera’s 12-man staff includes four coaches with major league playing experience: O’Malley, assistant pitching coach Sean Doolittle, first base/outfield/baserunning coach Corey Ray and catching coach Bobby Wilson. Five others have prior MLB coaching experience: bench coach Michael Johns, field coordinator Tyler Smarslok, hitting coach Matt Borgschulte, pitching coach Simon Mathews and bullpen catcher/development coach Grant Anders. The remaining three staff members (plus Butera) have never played nor coached in the majors before: third base/infield coach Victor Estevez, assistant hitting coach Andrew Aydt and assistant pitching/bullpen coach Dustin Glant.
