SAPPORO, Japan — The showdown in June was brief and had little influence on the game, but it spoke volumes about one of the biggest stars to emerge in Japanese baseball in years.

Shohei Otani of the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters pinch-hit in the fourth inning against the Hanshin Tigers. The crowd of 22,000 fans at the Sapporo Dome buzzed — Otani is a flame-throwing pitcher who also hits well enough to play right field when not on the mound.

The Fighters led, 1-0, and had runners on second and third base. With first base open, Randy Messenger, the Tigers’ pitcher, worked carefully, tossing three balls before throwing a strike, with Otani taking. After a checked-swing strike, Otani walked, loading the bases.

The Fighters failed to score, but the at-bat was a reminder that the fresh-faced Otani, who turned 19 on July 5, has quickly earned the respect of his rivals and the attention of fans. The most sought amateur player in Japan last year, he made waves when he declared that he wanted to become the first Japanese player to jump directly from high school to the major leagues. The Dodgers, the Red Sox and other teams scouted him.