In this episode of Pacific Swings, David MacKinnon and Jasper Spanjaart sit down with Tyler Nevin, the Seibu Lions first baseman who’s transformed from MLB organizational depth to becoming one of NPB’s most consistent hitters and a legitimate batting title candidate. Tyler’s having the season Lions fans have been dreaming about since 2023, opening up about why choosing Japan over grinding in Triple-A was the best decision he ever made.

Fresh off becoming the first player to 100 hits in the Pacific League and winning MVP honors for May, Tyler explains how he escaped MLB “survival mode” where you’re just trying to get hits to avoid getting optioned the next day. Instead of worrying about his next paycheck, he’s actually been able to develop as a player for the first time since Double-A ball.

Key Topics Covered:

• How he escaped MLB “survival mode” and finally found consistent playing time after five years
• The early 2-year extension that shocked NPB after just months with the Lions
• Growing up as Phil Nevin’s son and learning from big league clubhouses
• That legendary Angels-Mariners brawl and Phil’s player-first managing philosophy
• Breaking an 87-year NPB record by collecting all four of his team’s hits in one game
• Playing baseball in the desert winds of Lancaster, California where mishits became homers
• Japanese fan culture: custom towels, kimonos, and why respectfulness matters
• Why he accidentally injured rookie sensation Seiya Watanabe twice
• Living in Tanashi vs American cities and the $40 grocery bill phenomenon
• Facing elite NPB pitching: Miyagi’s six-pitch arsenal vs Moinelo’s raw power
• The grand slam at Belluna Dome that made Jasper nearly fall out of his seat
• Why Japanese convenience store fish-shaped pancakes are elite snack food

Tyler Nevin is the first baseman for the Seibu Lions, the first player to 100 hits in the 2025 Pacific League season, May MVP winner, and holder of a rare mid-season extension after proving essential to the organization.

🇯🇵 日本語: エピソードタイトル: タイラー・ネビン：MLBサバイバルモードから西武ライオンズ成功への道

西武ライオンズのタイラー・ネビン選手が初登場！MLB組織の底辺からNPB最高の打者の一人へ、そして正当な首位打者候補になるまでの軌跡。日本選択がトリプルAでの苦闘より最良の決断だった理由を語ります。

主要トピック:

• パリーグ初の100安打達成、5月MVP受賞
• MLBサバイバルモードからの脱却
• フィル・ネビンの息子として育った経験
• 87年ぶりのNPB記録更新
• 日本のファン文化と田無での生活

Season Number: 1 Episode Number: 13 Tyler Nevin Interview キーワード: タイラー・ネビン、西武ライオンズ、NPB、首位打者争い、一塁手、フィル・ネビン

🇰🇷 한국어: 에피소드 제목: 타일러 네빈: MLB 서바이벌 모드에서 세이부 라이온즈 성공까지

세이부 라이온즈의 타일러 네빈이 첫 출연! MLB 조직 하부에서 NPB 최고의 타자 중 한 명이 되어 정당한 타율왕 후보가 되기까지의 여정. 트리플 A에서의 고군분투보다 일본 선택이 최선의 결정이었던 이유를 들려줍니다.

주요 주제:

• 퍼시픽리그 첫 100안타 달성, 5월 MVP 수상
• MLB 서바이벌 모드 탈출
• 필 네빈의 아들로 자란 경험
• 87년 만의 NPB 기록 갱신
• 일본 팬 문화와 다나시 생활

Season Number: 1 Episode Number: 13 타일러 네빈 인터뷰 키워드: 타일러 네빈, 세이부 라이온즈, NPB, 타율왕 경쟁, 1루수, 필 네빈