Pacific Swings
Episodes
Scott Mathieson (マシソン) on 8 Years in Japan & Legendary Baseball Brawls | Pacific Swings | "The umpire told me to only throw fastballs against Ohtani"
27 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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,...
Lewis Brinson on Japan, Pressure and Wearing Jackie Robinson's Number at the Tokyo Dome | Pacific Swings | "Going to Japan was the best decision I ever made"
09 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
How an American Manager Built a Japan Series Champion From Scratch | Trey Hillman | トレイ・ヒルマン | Shinjirarenai!
26 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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 Baseba...
Cooper Hummel's NPB Dream: Playing Little League in Japan & the Yokohama BayStars | クーパー・ヒュンメル | Episode 23
09 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
From MLB Debut to Hanshin Tigers: Cam Devanney's Wild Ride to Japan
26 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Tatsuya Imai & Kona Takahashi Deep Dive | Former Teammate Breaks Down Seibu Lions Aces | "He's got the best stuff in NPB"
09 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 (@d...
Dietrich Enns Returns: From NPB/KBO to MLB Comeback Story | 2,877 days between MLB starts | "My stuff is so much better now"
29 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 start...
Ronnie Dawson: From Indie Ball to KBO All-Star w/ Kiwoom Heroes | 로니 도슨 | "I thought my career was over"
05 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ronnie Dawson: From Indie Ball to KBO All-StarFrom thinking his career was over to becoming one of the KBO's most beloved players - Ronnie Dawson's st...
Okamoto & Murakami: Can They Hit MLB Pitching? | Full Swing Analysis + Contract Predictions | "His swing will play anywhere"
03 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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'...
Lions: The Reunion Episode | With Mark Payton & David MacKinnon | 2023 Seibu Teammates | "Hi, I'm Mark"
17 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Sponsored by JAX Athletics - Premium baseball and softball batting gloves. Use code PACIFICSWINGS for 15% off at jaxathletics.comIn this episode of Pa...
Never Giving Up with Gosuke Katoh | Meeting Ichiro & The "Invincible" Mindset | Part 2
09 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In Part 2 of Pacific Swings, David MacKinnon and Jasper Spanjaart continue their conversation with Gosuke Katoh, diving into the mental strategies and...
Never Giving Up with Gosuke Katoh (加藤豪将) | The ONLY player drafted by both MLB and NPB | "If you never give up, a lot of good things will happen" | Part 1
29 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 baseb...
Anthony Kay: From NY Mets First-Rounder to Japan Series Champion w/ the Yokohama BayStars | "Baseball takes you places you never imagined"
12 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Pacific Swings, David MacKinnon and Jasper Spanjaart sit down with Anthony Kay, the Yokohama DeNA BayStars left-hander who went fro...
Tyler Nevin: Fan Favorite with the Seibu Lions, Conquering NPB & Embracing Life in Japan | "I'm just diving all in"
04 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Pacific Swings, David MacKinnon and Jasper Spanjaart sit down with Tyler Nevin, the Seibu Lions first baseman who's transformed fro...
Pacific Swings Q&A #2: NPB vs KBO, Samurai Japan Without MLB Stars & Dave's Japanese Baseball Cards
27 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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, J...
How Casey Kelly became 'Jamsil Jesus' & Ending LG Twins' 29-year Championship Drought | "We just embraced Korea"
20 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 w...
Kaima Taira's (平良海馬) Incredible Journey From 6-Player Junior High School Team to Chasing 105 MPH
12 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 baseba...
David MacKinnon for NPB Commissioner: Why Ties in Baseball are Stupid | "Most home runs wins. That's it."
05 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this special episode of Pacific Swings, David MacKinnon addresses his viral tweet about NPB ties that sparked outrage across Japanese baseball Twit...
Giant Cabbage Power: Trey Cabbage on 487-Foot Bombs, NPB Adjustments & Tokyo Life | "My job is to barrel the baseball and do some damage"
31 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
The Korean Home Run King: Matt Davidson on 46 Bombs, Mental Battles & Life Overseas | "Don't ask for a lighter load, ask for a stronger back"
26 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Fan Mail: Japan's Insane Cheering Culture, Elite NPB Pitching & Train Station Sushi
23 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 L...
The Giants Standard: Tyler Beede on Playing for Japan's Premier Baseball Team | Pacific Swings | "It gives me moments of awe"
18 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 hi...
'Rakedown' Sandro Fabian & Ryōma Nishikawa | NPB June MVP's | "His plate coverage is unbelievable"
14 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this RAKEDOWN episode, David MacKinnon breaks down Japan's June MVPs Sandro Fabian and Ryōma Nishikawa - two hitters absolutely raking that most b...
How to Prepare for Japan (Spoiler: You Can't) | Mr. Baseball vs. Reality | "Nothing Prepares You for How They Play"
08 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
David MacKinnon reveals his comprehensive preparation strategy for Japanese baseball: watch Mr. Baseball, Google some teams, and wing it.From Tom Sell...
Three Countries, Three Baseballs: Dietrich Enns on His Journey Through MLB, NPB, and KBO
03 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In our second episode, we sit down with left-handed pitcher Dietrich Enns, who has lived the Pacific Swings experience across three countries and thre...
That Retirement Episode with David MacKinnon & Jasper Spanjaart | Why we're here | Pacific Swings
02 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Pacific Ocean used to separate two baseball worlds. Not anymore. In our debut episode, recently retired MLB/NPB/KBO player David MacKinnon and jou...
Pacific Swings Trailer | Inside Stories from Baseball's Global Stage
30 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Pacific Ocean used to separate two baseball worlds. Not anymore.🇯🇵 : 太平洋は、二つの野球世界を分けていました。もう違...