Cubs eyeing 2 Japanese RP's

[pitchcs]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/chi-27-cubs-bits-chicagodec27,0,177372.story

[Bear Cub]

Anyone have a scouting report on these guys?

[Post Count Padder]

The Cubs have had Japanese free agents Ken Kadokura, a 35-year-old right-hander, and Shigeki Noguchi, a 34-year-old left-hander, in for tryouts this month.

Both pitchers were released by the Yomiuri Giants after the season. The two are possible options in middle reliever, but they'd only be candidates for minor league deals. Kadokura is more likely to get an offer.

Source: Chicago Tribune

[Little Slide Rooter]

The Cubs have had Japanese free agents Ken Kadokura, a 35-year-old right-hander, and Shigeki Noguchi, a 34-year-old left-hander, in for tryouts this month.

Both pitchers were released by the Yomiuri Giants after the season. The two are possible options in middle reliever, but they'd only be candidates for minor league deals. Kadokura is more likely to get an offer.

Source: Chicago Tribune

 

So theyd be like Shingo. Someone for Kosuke to hang out with during spring training and then never be seen or heard from again.

[B]

What kind of name is Ken for a Japanese guy?

[Gingerballs Lives]

A couple of mid-30 dudes who were released from their Japanese team?

 

DO NOT WANT

[BCVM22]

So theyd be like Shingo. Someone for Kosuke to hang out with during spring training and then never be seen or heard from again.

 

To be fair, this is the only role in which Shingo can still be effective.

[Mephistopheles]

Can we look at Kyuji Fujikawa? Best reliever in baseball - bar none.

[imb]

Can we look at Kyuji Fujikawa? Best reliever in baseball - bar none.

 

lol

[Derwood]

Can we look at Kyuji Fujikawa? Best reliever in baseball - bar none.

 

lol

 

what? you don't think the best reliever in the world would be let go by his team to come sign with the Cubs?

[Mephistopheles]

Can we look at Kyuji Fujikawa? Best reliever in baseball - bar none.

 

lol

 

i know, it's not like he doesn't strike out over a third of the batters he faces while the rest of them pop out or ground out.

[imb]

he's facing AA ballers, not impressed

[17 Seconds]

Can we look at Kyuji Fujikawa? Best reliever in baseball - bar none.

 

lol

 

i know, it's not like he doesn't strike out over a third of the batters he faces while the rest of them pop out or ground out.

 

against guys who on average are worse than fukudome

[abuck1220]

What kind of name is Ken for a Japanese guy?

 

agreed. i thought all orientals were named mr. miyagi.

[JeffH]

What kind of name is Ken for a Japanese guy?

 

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0913822/

[Mephistopheles]

he's facing AA ballers, not impressed

 

AAA to be technically correct....but then again japanese pitchers with above average fastballs have had no problem adjusting to the majors the last six or seven years, except they've more or less equaled or bettered their unadjusted lines in japan. why would fujikawa be different? does a 91-94 MPH fastball with plus command, a plus-plus forkball that's better than sasaki's and a borderline plus slider not translate to the american game where US hitters can't hit a forkball?