Dodgers interested in Japanese pitcher Shohei Otani

The Los Angeles Dodgers have expressed interest in obtaining Japanese phenom pitcher Shohei Otani, according to multiple media reports.

The 6'4", 190-pound 18-year-old, who has played only in high school, recently met in Japan with representatives from the Dodgers, the Boston Red Sox and the Texas Rangers. The Baltimore Orioles have also expressed interest in Otani, but have not met with him in Japan, according to a report in the Dallas Morning News.

Otani, who has a clocked fastball at 99 mph, isn't signed under contract with any Japanese professional team, so MLB teams would not have to pay a posting fee to another club to sign him, according to the reports.

Otani has met with all 12 teams in the Nippon Professional Baseball league, the highest level of baseball in Japan, in addition to the Dodgers, Red Sox and Rangers. He is deciding whether to play professionally in Japan or come to the United States.