As a pitcher for Toko Gakuen High School, he won a 7–0 victory against Imabari-Nishi high school where he racked up 22 strikeouts.[1] Later on, he struck out 19 batters at Koshien Stadium and won a 7–5 game over Joso Gakuin. He also struck out the same amount in 2005, which ranked him along with Yoshinori Toda in 1963.[2]
On October 11, 2023, Matsui had exercised his international free agent rights to be released from the Golden Eagles to seek a Major League Baseball contract.[5]
San Diego Padres
On December 23, 2023, Matsui signed a five-year contract worth $28 million guaranteed with the San Diego Padres of Major League Baseball.[6][7] The contract included an opt out after both the third and fourth seasons and an injury clause which would change the fifth and final year of the contract into a $7 million club option in the case of Matsui suffering a "serious elbow injury" during the length of the deal.[8][9]
On October 10, 2018, Matsui was selected at the 2018 MLB Japan All-Star Series.[11]
Matsui was selected at the 2019 WBSC Premier12[12] but on October 21, it was announced that he would not participate due to left elbow discomfort.[13]
Playing style
Matsui is a 5-foot-8-inch (1.73 m), 165-pound (75 kg) left-handed pitcher.[14] With an overhand delivery, he throws a fastball averaging 92–93 miles per hour (148–150 km/h) which tops out at 96 miles per hour (154 km/h),[15][16] a split-finger fastball, and a slider.[17] The splitter is the best off-speed pitch in his arsenal.[8]
Private life
Matsui married actress Anna Ishibashi in 2018. In May 2020, they announced the birth of their first child, a daughter, and on October 14, 2022, Ishibashi gave birth to the couple's second child, a son. [18]
