From 2004-2008, Wladimir Balentien was one of the Seattle Mariners best hitting prospects. He was projected to be a power-hitting outfielder and a solid outfield defender. But like so many power-hitting prospects, he struggled to make contact in the majors. The Mariners traded him to the Reds in 2009, but he was not able to find regular at-bats with the big league club and was allowed to walk as a free agent following the 2010 season. For many players, that would be the end of the story.
Balentien went to Japan, and over the next 11 seasons would have one of the more impressive careers in the Nippon League. He would have eight seasons of at least 30 HR. His best season was in 2013, when he hit 60 HR, breaking the NPB single-season home run record of 55, previously held by professional baseball’s all-time home run leader Sadaharu Oh, American Tuffy Rhodes, and Venezuelan Alex Cabrera. That season he was awarded the Central League MVP.
All told, in Japan, he would hit .266/.370/.546 with 301 HR. He would be selected to six NPB All-Star teams, win two Best Nine Awards, was a three-time Central League home run leader and won the Japan Series in 2010.