Pacific Swings

In this first edition of Monthly Swings , we sit down with Cooper Hummel (横浜DeNA BayStars) and Trey Cabbage (Yomiuri Giants) — two Americans playing on opposite sides of Japan's most storied rivalry — for what will be a monthly check-in from inside the NPB. Cooper is one month into his Japan adventure. Trey is navigating his second year with the Giants. Together they break down what nobody tells...

In this episode of Pacific Swings , we sit down with Scott Mathieson — a Canadian pitcher who survived two Tommy John surgeries before the age of 25, made it to the Philadelphia Phillies, and then made a decision that changed his life: he went to Japan. What was supposed to be a one-year deal turned into eight seasons with the Yomiuri Giants , an NPB all-time record for holds by a foreign pitcher,...

In this episode of Pacific Swings , we sit down with Lewis Brinson — first-round pick, centerpiece of one of MLB's most talked-about trades, and the man who wore number 42 at the Tokyo Dome for the Yomiuri Giants in 2023. Lewis opens up about what it really felt like to arrive in Miami as the Marlins' top prospect with the weight of a city on his shoulders, how that pressure shaped him as a player...

In this episode of Pacific Swings, we sit down with Trey Hillman — the only manager in baseball history to have managed teams in Major League Baseball, Nippon Professional Baseball, and the Korea Baseball Organization. He didn't just manage in all three leagues. He won in two of them. Hillman managed the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters from 2003 to 2007, winning the 2006 Japan Series — ending a 25-ye...

In this episode of Pacific Swings, we sit down with Cooper Hummel — an outfielder whose 2025 season reads less like a baseball career and more like a fever dream written by someone who has never seen a contract before. Astros. Yankees. Orioles (for 48 hours). DFA'd. Re-signed. DFA'd again. And then: 11 homers in 22 games with Tampa Bay in AAA, a flight to Tokyo, and a deal with the Yokohama DeNA B...

Royals AAA. Pirates trade. MLB debut. Released. Signed in Japan. All in the same year. In this episode of Pacific Swings , we sit down with Cam Devanney , whose 2024 was the most chaotic season imaginable - and ended with him becoming the newest Hanshin Tiger . From a 15th-round senior sign to a legitimate MLB shortstop prospect heading to one of Japan's most passionate fanbases, Cam breaks down t...

Two Seibu Lions aces. One former teammate who faced them both. Everything you need to know about the next NPB stars heading to MLB. David MacKinnon (@dcmack24) joins us to break down his 2023 teammates: Kona Takahashi - The captain who hit 99mph in 2023 and deserves redemption Tatsuya Imai - The 26-year-old "rockstar" with the best stuff in NPB Inside this episode: 🔥 "$250M for Imai might be chea...

Dietrich Enns went from Yankees prospect to NPB (Seibu Lions) to KBO (LG Twins) and back to MLB with the Tigers and Orioles. The gap between MLB starts? 2,877 days. One of the longest this century. In this episode, Dietrich joins David and Jasper to talk about: 🔥 Facing Schwarber, Harper & Castellanos in the 8th 🚂 Taking trains with Japanese fans after games ⚾ Breaking down NPB vs KBO vs ML...

Ronnie Dawson: From Indie Ball to KBO All-Star From thinking his career was over to becoming one of the KBO's most beloved players - Ronnie Dawson's story is about finding freedom, being yourself, and redefining success. In this episode of Pacific Swings, former Kiwoom Heroes outfielder Ronnie Dawson joins David MacKinnon and Jasper Spanjaart to share his incredible journey from a $85,000 contract...

Can Kazuma Okamoto and Munetaka Murakami succeed in MLB? In this episode of Pacific Swings, David MacKinnon and Jasper Spanjaart break down two of NPB's biggest power hitters: Kazuma Okamoto (Yomiuri Giants) and Munetaka Murakami (Tokyo Yakult Swallows). David analyzes their swings, projects their MLB futures, and makes bold predictions about contracts and team fits. Key Topics Covered: Kazuma Oka...

Sponsored by JAX Athletics - Premium baseball and softball batting gloves. Use code PACIFICSWINGS for 15% off at jaxathletics.com In this episode of Pacific Swings , David MacKinnon reunites with his 2023 Seibu Lions teammate Mark Payton for a conversation that goes beyond the box scores—diving into injuries, Japanese baseball culture, and the reality of playing in NPB when everything goes wrong....

In Part 2 of Pacific Swings , David MacKinnon and Jasper Spanjaart continue their conversation with Gosuke Katoh , diving into the mental strategies and development philosophies that shaped his unique career path. After 10 years grinding through six different MLB organizations, Gosuke finally reached the majors with Toronto before setting NPB rookie records with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters. N...

In this first-part of a two-part episode of Pacific Swings , David MacKinnon and Jasper Spanjaart sit down with Gosuke Katoh , the first player in baseball history to be drafted by both MLB and NPB, who just retired at 30 to join the Toronto Blue Jays front office . Drafted 66th overall by the New York Yankees in 2013 as an 18-year-old, Gosuke spent a decade grinding through six different organiza...

In this episode of Pacific Swings , David MacKinnon and Jasper Spanjaart sit down with Anthony Kay , the Yokohama DeNA BayStars left-hander who went from first-round draft pick heartbreak to Japan Series champion in one of baseball's most inspiring turnaround stories. Drafted 31st overall by his hometown New York Mets in 2016, Anthony's dream quickly turned into a nightmare when he needed Tommy Jo...

In this episode of Pacific Swings , David MacKinnon and Jasper Spanjaart sit down with Tyler Nevin , the Seibu Lions first baseman who's transformed from MLB organizational depth to becoming one of NPB's most consistent hitters and a legitimate batting title candidate . Tyler's having the season Lions fans have been dreaming about since 2023, opening up about why choosing Japan over grinding in Tr...

Dave fired his translator app, paid to ride trains with his own face on them, and somehow convinced us he's funnier than the average Joe. Meanwhile, Jasper's threatening to sell Dave's signed NPB card for five bucks and we're introducing "Cartoon Dave" - complete with progressive beatdowns every episode. In this episode of Pacific Swings Q&A #2 , we tackle your burning questions about Asian ba...

In this episode of Pacific Swings, David and Jasper talk with Casey Kelly , the man who truly mastered the Pacific swing. After five and a half years with the LG Twins, Casey became Korean baseball royalty - earning the nickname "Jamsil Jesus" and helping end the team's 29-year championship drought in 2023. From nearly walking away from baseball to becoming a Korean legend, Casey opens up about hi...

In this episode of Pacific Swings, David and Jasper talk with Kaima Taira (平良海馬) , the Seibu Lions ace closer who has dominated Japanese baseball with a legendary 1.88 career ERA across seven NPB seasons. For the first time ever, Kaima Taira speaks in English! From his devastating slide step that makes elite hitters look foolish to his ambitious quest to throw 170 km/h (105 MPH), Taira opens u...

In this special episode of Pacific Swings, David MacKinnon addresses his viral tweet about NPB ties that sparked outrage across Japanese baseball Twitter with 1.4 million impressions . Now he's officially launching his campaign to become NPB Commissioner with a platform built on controversy and questionable logic. "Most home runs wins. That's it." Key Topics Covered: The viral tweet that broke Jap...

In this episode of Pacific Swings, David and Jasper talk with Trey Cabbage , the Tennessee slugger who went from breaking exit velocity records in the minors to demolishing baseballs at the Tokyo Dome for the Yomiuri Giants . From 487-foot home runs to 121.1 mph exit velocity, Cabbage opens up about the mental and technical adjustments needed to succeed in NPB. "My job is to barrel the baseball an...

In this episode of Pacific Swings , we sit down with Matt Davidson , who became the KBO's home run king in 2024, launching 46 bombs for the NC Dinos and establishing himself as one of Korea's premier power hitters. Davidson shares his journey from MLB to international baseball stardom across two countries. Key Topics Covered: ⚾ Becoming Korea's home run champion Adapting to unique Asian pitching...

In this episode of Pacific Swings , we dive into your questions in our first-ever Fan Mail episode. David shares stories from his time with the Seibu Lions , revealing the cultural surprises, unforgettable teammates, and incredible experiences that defined his NPB journey . Plus: an unsolicited golf update and why train station food in Japan is better than most American restaurants. Key Topics Cov...

In this episode of Pacific Swings , we sit down with right-handed pitcher Tyler Beede , who made history in 2023 as the first non-Japanese pitcher in his first year to start Opening Day for the Yomiuri Giants . Known as the Yankees of Japan, the Giants demand excellence at every level - from mandatory designer suits to elite performance on the mound. Key Topics Covered: ⚾ Making Opening Day histo...

In this RAKEDOWN episode, David MacKinnon breaks down Japan's June MVPs Sandro Fabian and Ryōma Nishikawa - two hitters absolutely raking that most baseball fans have never heard of. On Fabian: "His plate coverage is unbelievable... he's able to catch that ball out front, which most guys can't do." From Fabian's grand slam celebrations to Nishikawa's 1,000th career hit milestone, this is why these...

David MacKinnon reveals his comprehensive preparation strategy for Japanese baseball: watch Mr. Baseball, Google some teams, and wing it. From Tom Selleck's 1992 masterpiece to the reality of all-dirt spring training fields, this is what actually happens when preparation meets Japanese baseball. Featuring David's Mr. Baseball moments, the Seibu Lions' daily preparation emails, and why foreign play...