Documented facts (as of Aug 1, 2026)
| Item | Fact |
|---|---|
| Club / position | Hanshin Tigers, pitcher, No. 35 |
| Born | November 7, 1998 (age 27 as of August 2026) |
| Drafted | 2016 draft, 3rd round, out of Suma Shofu High School (high-school draftee) |
| First NPB season | 2017 (2 games) |
| Seasons with first-team games | 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026; no first-team games in 2020 and 2021 (Tommy John surgery in November 2020) |
| Career totals | 122 games, 52-30, 2.28 ERA (as of Aug 1, 2026) |
| Recent seasons | 13-3, 1.83 ERA in 2024; 12-6, 1.55 ERA in 2025; 7-4, 2.81 ERA in 2026 through Aug 1 |
What has actually been said and decided
At his December 2024 contract renewal, Saiki revealed he had conveyed his hope for a future MLB challenge to the club, saying a move around age 28 or 29 would be ideal for him; the club president responded that Hanshin "basically does not approve posting, but it is case by case" (Daily Sports, December 21, 2024). The same report noted his overseas FA rights would come no earlier than the 2030 season. On October 31, 2025 the club announced it would not approve his use of the posting system that offseason (Nikkan Sports), and he remained with Hanshin, renewing on December 26, 2025 at a reported 250 million yen (Sankei Sports). No posting decision for later offseasons has been announced as of August 2, 2026.
Estimated eligibility timeline
| Route | Estimated earliest timing | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Posting | Any offseason Hanshin consents | Requested; not approved for 2025-26 (club announcement) |
| Domestic FA (8 seasons) | Not publicly determinable | High-school draftee needs 8 counted seasons; two full seasons (2020-21) produced zero days, and 2017 / 2019 were 2-game and 3-game seasons |
| International FA (9 seasons) | No earlier than the 2030 season | Daily Sports (Dec 21, 2024); NPB does not publish cumulative days |
Saiki is the clearest illustration of why service-time estimates must be labeled as such: he turned pro in 2016, yet nearly a decade later his FA clock is still years from ringing, because seasons only count at 145 registered days (shorter years merely pool their days). The authoritative dates will be NPB's own announcements.
Frequently asked questions
Why wasn't Hiroto Saiki posted in the 2025-26 offseason?
Because posting requires the club's consent and Hanshin announced on October 31, 2025 that it would not approve it for that offseason (Nikkan Sports). A year earlier the club president had described Hanshin's stance as basically not approving posting, but case by case (Daily Sports, Dec 21, 2024).
When does Saiki get international FA rights?
Daily Sports (Dec 21, 2024) reported no earlier than the 2030 season. His clock is slow because 2020 and 2021 contributed zero registered days (Tommy John surgery) and his 2017 and 2019 seasons were only 2 and 3 games. NPB does not publish exact service-day totals, so this remains an estimate.
What has Saiki himself said about MLB?
At his December 2024 renewal he confirmed he had raised a future MLB challenge with the club as a request, and said going in his late twenties (around 28 or 29) would be best for him (Daily Sports, Dec 21, 2024).