Kodai Senga – New York Mets Biography, Contract, Net Worth Information

Kodai Senga exploded onto the Major League Baseball scene with the New York Mets after dominating Japanese baseball for years.

This right-handed pitcher made his MLB debut on April 2, 2023, unleashing his electric “ghost fork” splitter in the U.S. after a long run of success in Japan.

On December 17, 2022, Senga signed a five-year, $75 million contract with the Mets, making him one of the biggest international pitching acquisitions in quite a while.

He’s made a pretty smooth transition to MLB, even snagging an All-Star selection and showing he belongs among the game’s top starters.

According to financial reports, Senga earns about $14 million a year in 2025, and his net worth sits at $75 million.

That kind of financial success didn’t show up overnight—it’s the result of years of dedication and hard work on the mound.

Senga’s journey from Japanese baseball star to MLB standout feels like one of the more compelling international stories in baseball today.

His unique pitching style and competitive edge have quickly made him a fan favorite in New York and earned him respect throughout the baseball world.

Early Life and Background

Kodai Senga’s path to MLB stardom started in Japan, where his early days and development in baseball shaped who he is as a pitcher.

His rise from childhood in Gamagori to the big leagues really shows his determination and natural ability.

Childhood and Family

Kodai Senga was born on January 30, 1993, in Gamagori, Aichi Prefecture, Japan.

He grew up in this coastal city and quickly found a love for baseball.

Unlike most pitchers, Senga actually started out playing third base during his elementary and middle school years.

His family backed his baseball dreams from the start, though he’s kept most details about his parents and siblings private.

Baseball is huge in Japan, and that cultural passion definitely played a role in Senga’s early development.

He grew up during a time when Japanese baseball players were starting to make a splash in MLB, giving kids like him international heroes to look up to.

Amateur Baseball Career

After middle school, Senga made a big switch from third base to pitching—a change that really set his career in motion.

He attended Gamagori High School, where he honed his pitching skills and mechanics.

During his high school years, Senga started showing flashes of the velocity and movement that would later define his pro career.

He wasn’t an instant superstar, but his steady progress grabbed scouts’ attention.

The Japanese high school baseball system is known for being tough and focused on fundamentals, and that helped shape Senga’s approach to the game.

The summer Koshien tournament, which is the biggest high school baseball event in Japan, gave Senga and other young talents a shot to prove themselves.

Rise in Nippon Professional Baseball

Senga kicked off his pro career with the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), Japan’s top league.

He developed steadily with the Hawks and quickly made a name for himself.

Over his years with the team, Senga became one of the league’s best pitchers.

He perfected a nasty splitter that fans and hitters started calling the “ghost fork” because of how it just vanished at the plate.

Japanese pro baseball’s structured environment helped Senga refine both his mechanics and his mental game.

He picked up multiple championship rings with the Hawks and helped fuel their dynasty in the 2010s.

By the time Senga started thinking about MLB, he’d racked up an impressive NPB resume—multiple All-Star nods and a reputation as a strikeout machine with sharp control.

His success in Japan set the stage perfectly for his eventual jump to the majors.

Professional Career Highlights

Kodai Senga has built a pretty remarkable baseball resume in both Japan and the U.S.

His pitching skills shone bright in Nippon Professional Baseball before he brought his talents to the New York Mets.

Nippon Professional Baseball Success

Senga turned into an elite pitcher with the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks, posting an 87-44 record and a 2.59 ERA over 11 seasons.

His “ghost fork” splitter became legendary and made him a key piece of the Hawks’ run of championships.

He won five Japan Series titles with the team, including four in a row from 2017-2020.

The righty made the NPB All-Star team several times and represented Japan in the 2017 World Baseball Classic.

Senga’s strikeout numbers were wild—he often put up K/9 rates above 10.0.

Transition to Major League Baseball

In December 2022, Senga signed a 5-year, $75 million contract with the Mets and finally made his MLB move.

He was already 30 as a rookie, which is a bit unusual, but the hype around him was real.

Senga immediately gave the Mets’ rotation a boost.

During his 2023 debut season, he showed he could handle MLB hitters, keeping up his strikeout game while figuring out the different offensive styles.

He had to adjust to a new baseball, a five-day rotation, and a longer season, but he made it work.

The growing number of Japanese players in MLB probably helped a bit, but Senga still had to find his own way.

He quickly became a key part of the Mets’ pitching staff.

Notable Performances and Achievements

In his first MLB season, Senga racked up 35 strikeouts early in his second year and has 246 career strikeouts in the majors so far.

His “ghost fork” worked just as well against MLB hitters as it did back in Japan.

Senga got plenty of attention for how fast he adapted to MLB, especially in tense games against NL East rivals.

He stood out in matchups with teams like the Dodgers, Padres, and Giants, proving his skills held up at the highest level.

While the Mets haven’t made a deep playoff run with Senga yet, he’s clearly raised the bar for their rotation.

His current salary of $14 million really shows how much the Mets value him as they chase a National League title.

Contract Details and Career Earnings

Kodai Senga landed a major payday when he left Nippon Professional Baseball for MLB.

His deal with the Mets stands out as one of the bigger bets on international pitching talent in recent years.

Signing with the New York Mets

Senga made his MLB leap by signing a five-year contract with the Mets on December 17, 2022.

That move marked the end of his run in Japan and the start of his journey in New York.

The Mets, led by owner Steve Cohen, targeted Senga during the 2022-23 offseason to strengthen their pitching staff.

Billy Eppler, the Mets’ GM at the time, played a big role in bringing Senga to Queens.

Senga’s MLB debut came on April 2, 2023, when he took the mound as a Met and introduced his “ghost fork” to American fans.

Contract Structure and Terms

Senga’s deal with the Mets is worth $75 million over five years, running from 2023 through 2027.

The contract includes a team option for 2028, giving the Mets some flexibility.

His salary breakdown looks like this:

• 2023: $15 million
• 2024: $15 million
• 2025: Currently $14 million
• 2026-2027: The remaining $31 million is spread over these two seasons

There’s no traditional signing bonus, which is a bit unusual for a high-profile international signing.

This structure helped the Mets manage the payroll while still landing a top pitcher.

Comparison to Other MLB Contracts

Senga’s $75 million contract puts him in the mid-range for MLB starting pitchers, but it’s a big deal for a player coming straight from Japan.

For comparison, his $15 million average annual value is well below the $30-40 million range that top MLB pitchers get, but it reflects the risk teams take with players who haven’t played in the majors yet.

In the Mets’ bigger picture, Senga’s contract fits into owner Steve Cohen’s willingness to spend and push past luxury tax limits.

David Stearns, the current baseball operations president, continues to work with Senga’s deal as part of the team’s pitching budget.

Senga paid off quickly, leading MLB rookies with 12 wins in his first season and locking himself in as a core part of the Mets rotation.

Net Worth and Financial Impact

Kodai Senga has built up serious wealth since joining MLB.

His financial reach goes beyond just his contract, touching team payroll, investments, and sponsorships.

Sources of Income

Senga’s main income comes from his five-year, $75 million deal with the Mets, which includes a $5 million signing bonus.

His current salary is $14 million, making him a big part of the Mets’ payroll.

Before MLB, Senga made good money playing for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks from 2012-2022 in Japan’s NPB.

That decade in Japan gave him a solid financial base.

His net worth is estimated at $75 million, combining his MLB earnings and his career in Japan.

Endorsements and Sponsorships

While Senga hasn’t shared much about his endorsement deals, as a high-profile Japanese player in MLB, he probably has sponsorships with brands in both Japan and the U.S.

Japanese MLB players often get deals with sports equipment companies—gloves, bats, shoes, the works.

Japanese brands like to stick with their stars abroad, so food, beverage, and tech sponsors are common for players at Senga’s level.

Assets and Lifestyle

Since signing with the Mets, Senga has settled in New York, most likely in a nice, private neighborhood not far from Citi Field.

Players in his income range usually invest in real estate both in the U.S. and back in Japan.

He keeps a lower public profile than some MLB stars, but his lifestyle still reflects his success.

A lot of Japanese MLB players are known for being disciplined with their money and making smart investments.

There aren’t many public details about his cars or luxury buys, but athletes at his level often build diversified portfolios—stocks, bonds, maybe even some business ventures—to set themselves up for life after baseball.

Role with the New York Mets

Kodai Senga has become a crucial part of the Mets’ pitching staff since joining in December 2022.

His nasty “ghost fork” and mid-90s fastball have made him a real force on the mound at Citi Field.

Position in the Starting Rotation

Senga wasted no time locking down his spot as one of the Mets’ top starting pitchers after making his MLB debut on April 2, 2023. He started out behind veterans Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander, but it didn’t take long for him to show he deserved a top spot in the rotation.

During his rookie season, Senga took the ball every fifth day and delivered. Once the Mets traded away Scherzer and Verlander at the 2023 deadline, Senga stepped up and became the de facto ace.

Heading into 2024 and 2025, he’s right there with Jose Quintana as the main pillars of the Mets’ rotation. Manager Carlos Mendoza seems to trust Senga a ton, often handing him the ball in big series against division rivals.

Key Teammates and Collaborations

Senga’s success on the mound has a lot to do with his teammates. Catcher Francisco Alvarez has played a huge role, helping Senga get used to MLB hitters and figuring out how to frame his wild pitches.

Shortstop Francisco Lindor and centerfielder Brandon Nimmo have had his back on defense, making plays that have turned possible hits into outs during Senga’s starts.

In the clubhouse, Senga has built a solid working relationship with fellow pitcher David Peterson. The bullpen—Edwin Diaz, Brooks Raley, and David Robertson—has done its job holding onto Senga’s leads.

Pete Alonso’s bat has given Senga much-needed run support, especially in nail-biter games. Mark Vientos, one of the younger guys, has chipped in too when Senga’s on the mound.

Impact on Team Performance

Senga changed the vibe of the Mets’ pitching staff, bringing stability and a high ceiling. General Manager Billy Eppler’s five-year, $75 million contract for Senga looks like a smart move right now.

Just check out the numbers:

Category	Impact
Team ERA	Drops when Senga pitches
Win %	Higher with Senga on the mound
Strikeouts	He’s among the team leaders
Innings pitched	Goes deep pretty consistently

The Mets now have a real shot at the playoffs, thanks in large part to Senga’s steadiness. He’s been able to shut down tough hitters, especially in those tense division games, and that’s given the Mets a real edge in the NL East.

After losing guys like Chris Bassitt, Senga helped keep the Mets in the contender conversation, even with so many roster changes.

Legacy and Future Prospects

Kodai Senga has already made a name for himself in the majors. He’s got a mix of funky pitching and international experience that’s hard to find. His impact isn’t just in the box score—there’s a cultural side and maybe some big milestones ahead.

Reputation within MLB

Senga’s “ghost fork” pitch is pretty much legendary already. Batters just can’t seem to figure it out. The Mets see him as a key piece of their rotation, and manager Buck Showalter hasn’t been shy about praising Senga’s competitiveness and work ethic.

Even with a few injury bumps, Senga’s reputation keeps growing. Analysts have started comparing his upside to other international stars who made the jump to MLB. FanGraphs even rates his pitch mix among the top 15% of all starters.

He’s built a reputation for stepping up in big moments. The Mets front office clearly valued that when they signed him to that five-year, $75 million deal.

Prospective Career Milestones

If Senga stays healthy, he’s on pace for some pretty impressive milestones. His strikeout rate could get him to 1,000 MLB punchouts by his fourth or fifth season—which is wild, considering he started in MLB at age 30.

The Mets think Senga could become a Cy Young contender, maybe even join the short list of international pitchers who’ve won it. His contract runs through 2027, so he’s got time to chase those goals.

Some baseball insiders say Senga’s performance might be the key if the Mets want to outlast the Braves and Phillies. With Senga anchoring the rotation, the Mets could actually have the pitching depth to make a real postseason run.

Influence on International Baseball

Senga’s MLB success has changed baseball’s global landscape, especially by strengthening the pipeline between Japan’s NPB and MLB.

Young Japanese pitchers look at his transition as a blueprint for their own dreams.

He’s followed the path of stars like Shohei Ohtani and Yu Darvish, and honestly, he keeps raising the bar for how people see Japanese pitchers.

Scouts now show up at more Japanese games, hoping to spot the next big international talent.

Senga talks with Japanese media pretty often, keeping close ties with fans back home.

At the same time, he’s building a whole new fanbase in New York.

His net worth of around $75 million shows not just his MLB salary but how marketable he’s become worldwide.

He also supports youth baseball in Japan through his foundation, and that says a lot about his dedication to the sport.

Who knows? Maybe his efforts will shape the game for years after he’s done playing.