Currently involved in the Japan Winter League, Léo Jiminian aims to join the Japanese professional circuit.
Lion Léo Jiminian is flying to new horizons and wishes to pursue his professional dream in Japan. Currently involved in the Japan Winter League, he aims to join the professional circuit.
Today, a new challenge motivates Léo Jiminian. Having left last Thursday, and until December 19, he is participating in the Japan Winter League (JWL) on the island of Okinawa, a crucial step in finding a place in the professional baseball world. “This winter league is the perfect place to show myself to the Japanese professional world. I have always been attracted to Japan, a fascinating and unknown culture that I would like to discover”he confides.
Since his debut at just 4 years old on the grounds of Saint-Lô, Léo Jiminian has come an impressive journey. Spotted very early by the management of the French 12U team, he climbed the ranks of French baseball, passing through the Pôle Espoir de Bordeaux, the Stade Toulousain and the Templiers de Sénart. In 2021, he signed with East Tennessee State University (ETSU), thus becoming the first player trained in the high-level French baseball sector to join an NCAA Division 1 program. After this American adventure, Léo joined the Lions of Savigny, continuing to showcase his talent.
THE JAPAN WINTER LEAGUE: A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY
The Japan Winter League is broken down into four major stages:
Physical tests: From the start of the competition, players complete a series of assessments including running, throwing and hitting events.
Championship matches: The six participating teams compete daily, with around 18 matches scheduled, allowing each player to prove their worth.
Le match All-Star : This prestigious meeting pits the best Japanese players in the league against the best internationals.
Les playoffs : The competition culminates with the top two teams facing off over two days for the final title. During this match, the selected players must wear their team’s jerseys: “It would be an incredible chance for me to play with the Savigny jersey in Japan”he likes to say.
A SHOWCASE FOR RECRUITERS
Throughout the league, scouts from Japanese and American professional teams monitor player performances, ready to offer contracts to the most talented. For Léo Jiminian, the objective is clear: to secure a place in a professional team for the 2025 season in Japan. “I dream of being one of these selected players”he confides with ambition.
With such determination and an already rich career, there is no doubt that Léo Jiminian continues to write a promising page in the history of French baseball.
If you want to follow the JWL:
https://www.instagram.com/japanwinterleague_eng/
Match program, Léo being part of the Eisa team:
