Kosuke in the WBC?

[Little Slide Rooter]

Has anyone been tracking him or have any idea how hes doing, because Ive heard nothing.

[Mephistopheles]

Stop being lazy.

[treebird]

Stop being lazy.

 

The Chunichi Dragons refused to have their players participate due to struggles by Dragons following the 2008 Olympics.

 

smart. the cubs should've done the same.

[Mephistopheles]

Ironically, CD is Kosuke Fukudome's former team and after the 2006 WBC he only hit .351/.438/.653 with an EqA around .370 or so....all that translated to .331/.424/.575 with an EqA of.325 in USD. It was by far KF's best season in Japan.

 

As for what to expect from KF this season. I should note that every hitter in Japan eventually hit their expected level based off of the translations in the US. They may not have done it the first year, but eventually they ALL got there. For KF that puts him somewhere around .300/.400/.500 with a .300 EqA. I'm not saying to expect it, but I wouldn't be shocked if he came close to those numbers. KFs a going to have a really, really high distribution on his percentiles.

[Roast]

Has anyone been tracking him or have any idea how hes doing, because Ive heard nothing.

All I know is that the cubs had him working on core training, something that was non-existant in his workout when he played in japan/last year. That's about all I've heard.

[C.C.]

Ironically, CD is Kosuke Fukudome's former team and after the 2006 WBC he only hit .351/.438/.653 with an EqA around .370 or so....all that translated to .331/.424/.575 with an EqA of.325 in USD. It was by far KF's best season in Japan.

 

As for what to expect from KF this season. I should note that every hitter in Japan eventually hit their expected level based off of the translations in the US. They may not have done it the first year, but eventually they ALL got there. For KF that puts him somewhere around .300/.400/.500 with a .300 EqA. I'm not saying to expect it, but I wouldn't be shocked if he came close to those numbers. KFs a going to have a really, really high distribution on his percentiles.

 

That would be fantastic.

[TheDude]

Still the best leadoff option on the team.

[UMFan83]

I'm just worried that Fukudome is going to be in Lou's doghouse from the start and have a short leash, destroying his confidence.

 

"From now on, I don't want to hear about Fukudome anymore as far as whether he's going to play or not," Piniella said when a reporter asked him about Fukudome's slump. "I'm going to play [Mike] Fontenot or Reed Johnson or somebody else, and that's the end of that story. The kid is struggling, and there's no sense sending him out there anymore."

[SouthSideRyan]

I'm just worried that Fukudome is going to be in Lou's doghouse from the start and have a short leash, destroying his confidence.

 

"From now on, I don't want to hear about Fukudome anymore as far as whether he's going to play or not," Piniella said when a reporter asked him about Fukudome's slump. "I'm going to play [Mike] Fontenot or Reed Johnson or somebody else, and that's the end of that story. The kid is struggling, and there's no sense sending him out there anymore."

 

One of my most hated crazy old man rants from Lou. Everyone knew he was struggling, nobody was saying, hey Lou why don't you play Kosuke more, but there he goes running him out to RF in game 1 despite rarely starting him down the stretch. What the hell did he expect.

[Abe Frohman]

I'm not buying the "Lou's doghouse" bit, as if Lou is going to treat Fukudome poorly or something. The guy has talent, and I'll bet he is going to be just fine. Let him get used to MLB, and hopefully shake some of the pressure off. Let him be free of some press, and I'll bet he is a different player.

[cubsfan26]

Fukudome makes too much money to be in Lou doghouse long term Hendry wouldn't allow it. So Fukudome will get a fair shot, but if he struggles in April/May like he did in August/September he will start to lose playing time. Even if that happens, I expect him to still have a chance to play here and there and get his spot back.

[Roast]

From listening to lou talk at the convention, it didn't sound like he was in his 'dog house' at all. In fact, he sounded pretty optimistic about Fukudome.

[CubinNY]

Has anyone been tracking him or have any idea how hes doing, because Ive heard nothing.

All I know is that the cubs had him working on core training, something that was non-existant in his workout when he played in japan/last year. That's about all I've heard.

What's core training?

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Has anyone been tracking him or have any idea how hes doing, because Ive heard nothing.

All I know is that the cubs had him working on core training, something that was non-existant in his workout when he played in japan/last year. That's about all I've heard.

What's core training?

 

Abdominal, oblique, and back strengthening stuff, to my understanding.

[satxcubfan]

Has anyone been tracking him or have any idea how hes doing, because Ive heard nothing.

All I know is that the cubs had him working on core training, something that was non-existant in his workout when he played in japan/last year. That's about all I've heard.

What's core training?

 

Abdominal, oblique, and back strengthening stuff, to my understanding.

 

 

They bought Kosuke a series of Pilates videos? :-k

[JonnyRed]

I expect a pretty solid bounceback year for Kosuke. He was under considerable pressure last season if you think about it...

 

- Coming in as the savior to the Cubs 100 years of woes, which was only escalated with his strong early showing

- Getting used to playing against the best baseball talent in the world who adjusted to his approach early on

- Working on a team where he could only speak with one person, who must not have done a very good job since he was let go by the Cubs

- Travelling to unfamiliar cities and managing the grind of the season

- and finally being away from his family and new-born child

 

Add it all up and it's no surprise that the guy struggled. He's a professional player who I'd expect to turn it around with a .280/.380/15/80 season.

[Roast]

Has anyone been tracking him or have any idea how hes doing, because Ive heard nothing.

All I know is that the cubs had him working on core training, something that was non-existant in his workout when he played in japan/last year. That's about all I've heard.

What's core training?

 

Abdominal, oblique, and back strengthening stuff, to my understanding.

 

Yes.

 

Basically Lou said that in Japan Kosuke never was exposed to that kind of training to strengthen his abdominal/oblique/back area. Apparently, they only work on baseball skills there; hitting/throwing/fielding/etc. That, along with adjusting to the longer season and increased travel amounts in America led to Kosuke tiring/fading out pretty early in the season. At least that's the theory, and it makes a lot of sense.

[JeffH]

Has anyone been tracking him or have any idea how hes doing, because Ive heard nothing.

All I know is that the cubs had him working on core training, something that was non-existant in his workout when he played in japan/last year. That's about all I've heard.

 

This is fantastic news. It will allow him to spin, helicopter-style, ever more vigorously this coming season.

[abuck1220]

Has anyone been tracking him or have any idea how hes doing, because Ive heard nothing.

All I know is that the cubs had him working on core training, something that was non-existant in his workout when he played in japan/last year. That's about all I've heard.

What's core training?

 

a myth. like unicorns.

[Gingerballs Lives]

Has anyone been tracking him or have any idea how hes doing, because Ive heard nothing.

All I know is that the cubs had him working on core training, something that was non-existant in his workout when he played in japan/last year. That's about all I've heard.

 

This is fantastic news. It will allow him to spin, helicopter-style, ever more vigorously this coming season.

 

 

*steps in bucket, bails out on pitch*

[The Other 15]

I'm just worried that Fukudome is going to be in Lou's doghouse from the start and have a short leash, destroying his confidence.

 

"From now on, I don't want to hear about Fukudome anymore as far as whether he's going to play or not," Piniella said when a reporter asked him about Fukudome's slump. "I'm going to play [Mike] Fontenot or Reed Johnson or somebody else, and that's the end of that story. The kid is struggling, and there's no sense sending him out there anymore."

 

One of my most hated crazy old man rants from Lou. Everyone knew he was struggling, nobody was saying, hey Lou why don't you play Kosuke more, but there he goes running him out to RF in game 1 despite rarely starting him down the stretch. What the hell did he expect.

I agree with you on this one. Not only that, but Lou takes the time to single out Fukudome after the game two fiasco saying he doesn't want to hear more about Fokudome or whatever. That was uncalled for. Was he paying attention to the series' that Aram and Soto were having? He had it within his power to not play Fuku who was struggling. Ironically, Fuku has a decent game 3 after he was forced to play anyways.

[The Other 15]

Ironically, CD is Kosuke Fukudome's former team and after the 2006 WBC he only hit .351/.438/.653 with an EqA around .370 or so....all that translated to .331/.424/.575 with an EqA of.325 in USD. It was by far KF's best season in Japan.

 

As for what to expect from KF this season. I should note that every hitter in Japan eventually hit their expected level based off of the translations in the US. They may not have done it the first year, but eventually they ALL got there. For KF that puts him somewhere around .300/.400/.500 with a .300 EqA. I'm not saying to expect it, but I wouldn't be shocked if he came close to those numbers. KFs a going to have a really, really high distribution on his percentiles.

They ALL got there? I'm still waiting on Juhjima to follow that second year pattern. There was alot more expected from Kaz Matsui but, in general, he did get better. I think that the wrist surgey he was recovering from played a big role in his struggles. He hardly hit a ball out of the infield during ST until the final week. Then after getting better contact in the last week, he blows up in April. Somewhere in May or June, he probably tweaked his wrist again and it played a big role in his swing getting longer like it appeared by August.

[JeffH]

I expect that Kosuke will be relegated to the 5th OF role before the end of May.

[cubbinalltheway]

that homer on opening day last year was the worst possible thing for him. he was elevated to hero status his first game as a cub. tough expectations to live up to, especially for him.

 

i too think he's going to have a nice season this year.

[bcl412]

that homer on opening day last year was the worst possible thing for him. he was elevated to hero status his first game as a cub. tough expectations to live up to, especially for him.

 

i too think he's going to have a nice season this year.

 

I hope you're right but aside from that first month he really looked bad. I hope he can adjust to American pitching and be a serviceable player.