The Kiryu City, Japan native started his professional baseball career in the states with the Sioux City Explorers in 2012, being signed out of the California Winter League by X’s Field Manager, Stan Cliburn.
In 96 games, Yusuke appeared at the plate 416 times, compiling a .287 batting average in 366 at-bats, while drawing 27 walks for a .342 on base percentage. The 27-year-old was a solid performer in the X’s line-up last season, ranking second in runs (57), doubles (20) and stolen bases (8), and fourth in hits (105) and runs batted in (40).
Defensively, Yusuke saw time at all three positions in the outfield during his debut season with the X’s, but later settled in at centerfield for the second half. In 261 chances, the right-hander had 241 put-outs, 11 assists and 9 errors.