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Gosuke Katoh

Gosuke John Katoh (born October 8, 1994, in ) is an American former professional baseball infielder who appeared in (MLB) for the Toronto Blue Jays and played in (NPB) for the before retiring in November 2024 to join the Blue Jays organization in a capacity. Katoh was selected by the New York Yankees in the second round (66th overall) of the 2013 MLB Draft out of in , , and signed a professional contract shortly thereafter. Over the next several years, he progressed through the Yankees' system, showcasing versatility across the infield positions of second base, , third base, and first base, while batting left-handed and throwing right-handed. His career included stints with the Yankees affiliates from 2013 to 2019, followed by time in the Padres organization in 2021, where he posted a strong .306 in 114 games at the Triple-A level. In April 2022, Katoh made his MLB debut with the Blue Jays, with whom he had signed a minor league deal in December 2021; he appeared in eight games that season, recording one hit in 11 plate appearances with three walks, before being and claimed off waivers by the Mets in May. After being released by the Mets in October 2022, he signed with the Fighters for the 2023 season, where he appeared in 62 games with a .210 in the major leagues, followed by 28 games and a .172 average the next year. Upon retiring at age 30, Katoh transitioned to the Blue Jays in a role focused on integrating efforts with big-league players, coaches, and pro scouting.

Early life and amateur career

Early life and family

Gosuke Katoh was born on October 8, 1994, in , to parents who were nationals of . His father worked for , which led the family to relocate to when Katoh was three years old, where they lived for three years. The family returned to the in 2000, settling in the area, specifically Poway, when Katoh was six. Upon arrival, Katoh spoke no English, having been immersed in during his abroad, which presented initial challenges in assimilating to American school and social environments. This bicoastal and international upbringing fostered Katoh's dual American- cultural identity, reinforced by his family's practices of speaking at home with his parents and sister, as well as making annual trips back to to visit relatives. His parents, as immigrants, maintained strong ties to their while adapting to life in , providing Katoh with a bilingual household that blended both cultures from an early age. Growing up in the San Diego suburbs after the move, Katoh navigated this hybrid background, which later influenced his appreciation for figures like , who embodied similar cross-cultural success in . Katoh's early exposure to baseball came through local youth programs in California, beginning with T-ball shortly after the family's return, as he sought ways to connect with peers amid his language transition. A pivotal moment occurred at age six when he attended a San Diego Padres game against the Seattle Mariners and watched , whose performance inspired Katoh to pursue the sport seriously and helped bridge his cultural adjustment. This family-supported introduction to athletics, alongside everyday life in a Japanese-American household, laid the foundation for his development before formal competitive play.

High school career and MLB draft

Katoh attended Rancho Bernardo High School in San Diego, California, from 2009 to 2013, where he emerged as a standout infielder known for his defensive prowess and baseball intelligence. As a junior in 2012, he earned All-State underclass honors from ESPN and was selected for the All-American Classic, showcasing his skills against top national prospects. During his senior year, Katoh batted .429 with 11 home runs and 43 RBIs, earning a spot on the MaxPreps California Large School All-State Team, and played a key role in Rancho Bernardo's CIF San Diego Section Open Division championship win, securing the final out in the title game. He also participated in Perfect Game national showcases, where scouts praised his quick footwork, left-handed swing, and elite instincts at second base. In May 2012, as a junior, Katoh verbally committed to play at the (UCLA), his self-described "dream school," which planned to position him at while valuing his academic profile alongside his athletic talent. This commitment highlighted his status as a top high school prospect, ranked highly for his speed (6.42-second ) and defensive range. Katoh's high school success led to his selection by the New York Yankees in the second round, 66th overall, of the . He signed with the team on June 19, 2013, for a $845,700 —equal to the slot value for his draft position—and opted to forgo his UCLA commitment to begin his professional career.

Professional playing career

New York Yankees organization (2013–2018)

Following his selection in the second round of the , 18-year-old Gosuke Katoh signed with the Yankees on June 20 and was assigned to their rookie-level Gulf Coast League affiliate. Playing primarily as a , he excelled in his professional debut, batting .310 with six home runs and 25 over 50 games while posting a .924 that led the league. His performance earned him a spot on the GCL Postseason All-Star Team and recognition as the top hitter among all Yankees minor leaguers in . Katoh advanced to full-season Class A with the in 2014, where he appeared in 121 games, hitting .222 with three s, 37 , and 20 stolen bases while adapting to a more challenging level of competition. He split the 2015 season between the RiverDogs and the rookie-level , combining for 98 games with a .239 , six s, 31 , and 17 stolen bases. In 2016, Katoh returned to for the full season, batting .229 with one and 25 in 65 games amid ongoing development as a versatile . Promoted to Tampa in , Katoh enjoyed his most productive campaign to date, slashing .293/.376/.440 with six home runs and 43 across 84 games, demonstrating improved plate discipline with 40 walks and 11 stolen bases. The following year, he reached Double-A for the first time with the , playing 118 games and batting .229 with five home runs and 35 while continuing to log significant at second base and third base. Over his six seasons in the Yankees' system from 2013 to 2018, Katoh maintained a steady .252 batting average with 27 home runs and 196 RBI in 536 games, progressing from rookie ball to the upper minors while honing his skills as a contact-oriented infielder with speed. In 2019, Katoh split the season between Double-A Trenton (30 games) and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (83 games), batting .267 with 11 home runs and 46 RBI over 113 games while posting a .763 OPS. He elected minor league free agency on November 4, 2019.

Miami Marlins organization (2018–2020)

On December 18, 2019, following his election to free agency from the Yankees organization, Katoh signed a contract with the that included an invitation to . As a left-handed batting with experience at second base, third base, and , he competed for a spot on the Marlins' 40-man roster during the 2020 but remained on a non-roster invitee basis. Katoh's tenure with the Marlins was severely disrupted by the , which led to the cancellation of the entire 2020 minor league season on June 30. The Marlins' major league team also suffered a significant outbreak, with at least 21 members testing positive in late July, resulting in the postponement of 17 games and heightened organizational challenges amid the shortened MLB schedule. Consequently, Katoh did not play in any games during his time in the Marlins system, preventing any on-field evaluation or progression toward a major league call-up despite his positional versatility. On November 2, 2020, the Marlins released Katoh, allowing him to declare at the conclusion of his .

San Diego Padres organization (2020–2021)

On November 16, 2020, the Padres signed Gosuke Katoh to a minor league as a following his release from the organization, and assigned him to their Triple-A affiliate, the . The deal also included an invitation to the Padres' spring training camp in 2021, where Katoh impressed early with a 4-for-8 performance and an opposite-field home run against the Milwaukee Brewers on March 3. Padres manager highlighted Katoh's hand-eye coordination and quality at-bats, noting his versatility as an , though he ultimately remained in the minors as organizational depth. In the 2021 season, Katoh appeared in 114 games for the Chihuahuas of the Triple-A West, batting .306 with 8 home runs and 42 while posting a .388 and .474 . Primarily deployed at second base (43 games) and first base (41 games), he also saw time in (23 games total, including 22 in left field), underscoring his adaptability as a utility infielder amid organizational needs for positional flexibility. Despite his solid production and late-season surge—slashing .364/.424/.623 in —Katoh received no call-up and served mainly as a depth option for the Padres' infield. Katoh elected minor league free agency on November 7, 2021, after the Padres did not add him to their 40-man roster. This marked the end of his brief stint in the Padres organization, where he continued his journeyman path in the minors without reaching the major leagues.

Toronto Blue Jays (2021–2022)

Following his time in the San Diego Padres organization, where he became a free agent after the 2021 season, Katoh signed a minor league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays on December 16, 2021, that included an invitation to major league spring training. During spring training, Katoh impressed with his versatility across the infield, earning a spot on the Blue Jays' Opening Day roster as a utility player. Katoh made his major league debut on April 9, 2022, against the Seattle Mariners, entering as a in the ninth . Over the next few weeks, he appeared in eight games for the Blue Jays, primarily in a defensive utility role, starting at first base in three games, second base in two, and serving as the once. In 7 at-bats, Katoh batted .143 (1-for-7) with one double, two runs scored, no home runs, and no , while recording his first career MLB hit on April 27 against the . His limited playing time reflected the Blue Jays' depth at infield positions, where he provided bench flexibility but saw infrequent offensive opportunities. On May 2, 2022, Katoh was optioned to the Blue Jays' Triple-A affiliate, the , after the team sought to adjust its roster. Two days later, on May 4, he was to make room for pitcher on the 40-man roster. This concluded his brief tenure with , where his defensive capabilities at multiple infield spots had been a key asset during his short stay.

New York Mets (2022)

On May 7, 2022, the New York Mets claimed infielder Gosuke Katoh off waivers from the Toronto Blue Jays following his designation for assignment by that club. The Mets immediately optioned him to their Triple-A affiliate, the Syracuse Mets, where he began the season as a versatile depth option at second base, first base, and third base. Katoh was briefly recalled to the major league roster on May 17, 2022, ahead of a doubleheader against the St. Louis Cardinals, but did not appear in any games during this four-day stint. He was optioned back to Syracuse on May 21, resuming his minor league campaign amid the Mets' competitive infield depth led by players like Jeff McNeil and Eduardo Escobar. Over 80 games with Syracuse that year, Katoh batted .223 with 15 doubles, two triples, nine home runs, and 34 RBIs, providing utility but limited standout production in the International League. To clear a roster spot on June 17, 2022, the Mets designated Katoh for ; he cleared waivers and was outrighted to Syracuse, where he continued playing through the end of the season. On October 25, 2022, Syracuse released him, concluding his brief and unremarkable tenure with the Mets organization as a fringe depth piece. This paved the way for his pursuit of opportunities in , where he was selected by the in the third round of the 2022 NPB draft and signed a on November 4.

Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters (2023–2024)

Following his brief appearance in the with the organization, where he became a , Gosuke Katoh entered the (NPB) rookie draft as a citizen due to his dual U.S.- heritage. The selected him in the third round on October 20, 2022, making him the first player ever drafted by both MLB and NPB organizations. He signed a one-year worth an estimated 100 million yen, including a , on November 4, 2022, and joined the team for autumn camp to prepare for the 2023 season. Katoh's NPB career began with the Fighters at their new home stadium, , where his Japanese heritage facilitated smoother integration into the team environment despite being raised in the United States. An oblique strain suffered in March 2023 delayed his debut until May 25, when he entered as a defensive replacement at second base against the . Serving primarily as a utility capable of playing second base, third base, and , Katoh appeared in 62 games during the 2023 season, batting .210 with 6 home runs and 16 over 200 at-bats. His versatility provided depth to the Fighters' infield, though he adjusted to the NPB's emphasis on small ball and defensive reliability, drawing on his cultural background to navigate team practices and off-field life in without immediate family support in . In 2024, Katoh's role with the Fighters diminished amid increased competition and limited opportunities, resulting in just 28 games on the main roster at Es Con Field, where he hit .172 with no home runs and 1 in 58 at-bats. He spent additional time in the Eastern League farm system, posting a .270 average with 4 home runs and 14 in 152 at-bats across 48 games, but injuries and roster adjustments restricted his overall impact. On November 2, , Katoh announced his retirement from after two NPB seasons, stating that he had absorbed all the game could offer and sought new challenges beyond playing.

Post-playing career

Toronto Blue Jays front office role

Following his retirement from after the 2024 season with the , Gosuke Katoh announced on November 10, 2024, that he had accepted a position in the Toronto Blue Jays' . This marked his immediate transition to an administrative role, with no prior experience in his 12-year playing career. The move represented his first full offseason in the position as of 2025. Katoh's role centers on fostering collaboration between the Blue Jays' team, big-league players and coaches, and professional efforts to enhance organizational strategy. Drawing from over a decade of experience across multiple MLB organizations, along with brief stints in and , he provides insights informed by his playing career. In February 2025, the Blue Jays formalized his title as Assistant, Operations, and he worked with the big-league club during the 2025 season. In announcing the role, Katoh stated, "I’m excited to share that I’ve accepted a role with the @bluejays in their ! Looking forward to this next chapter and all that’s ahead." The position brings him back to the Blue Jays, where he made his MLB debut in , allowing him to contribute to the strategic growth of the team that launched his major league career.

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