Oakland A's manager hypes up Shintaro Fujinami before Shohei Ohtani matchup: "Mount Fuji has some impressive stuff"

Shintaro Fujinami decided to come to the United States but finds himself facing a familiar foe in his first game. The Japanese pitcher will face 2021 American League MVP Shohei Ohtani on his debut. The Oakland Athletics will play against the Los Angeles Angels in a spring training game on Tuesday.

Fujinami may be classified as a rookie but has had a successful 10-year career with the Hanshin Tigers in the Japanese league (NPB). He signed a one-year, $3.25 million deal and is expected to start in 2023.

Oakland A's manager Mark Kotsay is confident that Fujinami (or "Mount Fuji" as he calls him) will settle in quickly in the big leagues:

"Mount Fuji has some impressive stuff"

The flamethrower comes in at 6'6, and 220 pounds and possesses a range of pitches in his arsenal. Kotsay went on to mention his dangerous fastball that can touch 100 mph and his split-finger fastball. Fujinami predominantly uses a fastball-slider combination in games.

"Shintaro (call him "Fuji") Fujinami is turning heads in A's camp. The Japanese starter will face an old high school rival in his spring debut. Fuji vs. Ohtani comes Tuesday in Arizona. @Athletics | #SpringTraining" - MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM

Shintaro Fujinami will be part of the new-look starting rotation in Oakland that is young and hungry. He joins former Atlanta Braves top prospect Kyle Muller (25), who joined as part of a three-team trade between the A's, Braves and Milwaukee Brewers.

Lefties JP Sears (27) and Ken Waldichuk (25) will also be vying for a place in the starting rotation. Both players moved over from the New York Yankees as part of a deal that saw Frankie Montas head to the Bronx.

Japanese pitcher Shintaro Fujinami will face off against high school rival Shohei Ohtani in his first game

Pitcher Shintaro Fujinami throws in the World Baseball Classic Pool B Game Six against China

Fujinami is regarded as one of Japan's most talented pitchers. He has been selected for the NPB All-Star Game on three occasions.

Last season, he finished with a 3-5 record and a 3.38 ERA. He struck out 65 hitters and allowed just 58 hits over 66.2 innings.

"Shintaro Fujinami on facing off against Shohei Ohtani in his Cactus League debut" - A's on NBCS

Shohei Ohtani and Shintaro Fujinami were high school rivals and the two know each other well. Fujinami will be thrown into the deep end in his first start. It will be interesting to see how the 28-year-old adjusts to pitching in the majors and how quickly he can settle in.