The Kenta Maeda Thread

[Guest]

i think he's probably just one of those idiots who substitutes OPS for SLG

 

Probably right. Still, a .516 SLG isn't bad for a 19-year old who pitches once a week.

[Guest]

Ben Badler[/url]"]Maeda opened the game with four scoreless innings, but things unraveled for him in the fifth inning, when he allowed five runs and left the game at the end of the frame. Maeda showed solid velocity, sitting at 90-94 mph, though a lot of scouts project him as a back-end starter because they don’t see a reliable out pitch he can lean on to miss bats. Maeda mixes four-seam fastballs and two-seamers, along with an 80-83 mph slider, an 83-85 mph changeup and an occasional slow curveball in the low-70s.

 

Reading this description of Maeda being a back end starter, it sounds like a little Bosio magic on his slider or adding a cutter would go a long ways to being more than a back-end starter in the U.S.

[Deeg]

I've seen Maeda enough to form a strong opinion that he's more than a back-end starter in the majors. But as with any Japanese import, you won't know how they'll take to the game in the US until they do it. There's always an element of risk, even with super-elites like Tanaka (Darvish may be the one pitcher that was so filthy that the only risk was injury).

[Guest]

Man, Otani is a stud: http://www.baseballamerica.com/international/shohei-otani-strikes-16-complete-game-japan/

 

The link includes video from today's game, where he threw a complete game with 16 strikeouts and hit 99 on his final pitch. And he just turned 20 on Sunday.

[Guest]

Maeda looks sharp in season finale: http://www.baseballamerica.com/international/kenta-maeda-looks-sharp-season-finale/

 

Maeda finished the season with a 2.60 ERA (fifth in Nippon Professional Baseball) in 187 innings, with 161 strikeouts (7.7 K/9) and 41 walks (2.0 BB/9).

 

Maeda’s velocity was impressive, ranging from 90-94 mph and hitting 94 four times. In previous outings, he’s thrown anywhere from 87-94 mph, but he didn’t throw a fastball below 90 today and he spotted it well. Maeda pitched mostly off his four-seamer, though he mixed in a handful of two-seam fastballs with a little more armside run, too.

 

His go-to secondary weapon is his 80-84 mph slider, which batters swung through eight of the 33 times he threw the pitch. It’s a slightly-above average offering with tight spin and quick, late break, though he’s prone to hanging the pitch and got away with some mistakes today. Maeda threw an 85-86 mph changeup that flashed average with good tailing action that he used mostly against lefthanded hitters, with 15 of his 16 changeups coming against lefties.

 

Those are Maeda’s main pitches, but he also mixed in about a half dozen each of his 86-88 mph cutter and 72-75 mph curveball. Maeda didn’t pitch inside much, mostly operating on the outer third to attack hitters away.

 

Even though he doesn’t have overpowering stuff of a frontline starter like we’ve seen from fellow Japanese righthanders Masahiro Tanaka or Yu Darvish, Maeda’s ability to command his fastball and mix his pitches allows him to keep hitters off-balance.

[Guest]

Old pal Nick Cafardo says he expects Maeda's contract to end up in the 6/120 to 6/130 range. Steeper than I was hoping for, but I'm still interested with that as the high end range.

[Cubswin11]

Eh, if that's what it takes to get him I'd rather be focusing on other guys. For example I'd rather sign McCarthy and Liriano for a combined ~$75 million than Maeda for $120.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Ehhhhhh. He's 27 all year next year. That's not super-young, but at least it's not 31-33. Sure, I'd do that.

[rawaction]

6/120 for Maeada would probably mean no Lester. I'd probably pay him that rather than 6/150 for Lester (both highest of ends for each).

[KingCubsFan]

6/120 for Maeada would probably mean no Lester. I'd probably pay him that rather than 6/150 for Lester (both highest of ends for each).

Only 7.7 K/9 in Japan. Even if Lester is older, I'd rather pay a little extra for the known commodity.

[davell]

Pass. Punt. Kick out of bounds, whatever. But there are no reports on this guy making him out to be better than a middle of the rotation type and most say back end type. Why are you guys even thinking more than an Edwin type deal for THAT?

[Cubswin11]

Pass. Punt. Kick out of bounds, whatever. But there are no reports on this guy making him out to be better than a middle of the rotation type and most say back end type. Why are you guys even thinking more than an Edwin type deal for THAT?

Agreed, no interest in him for anything near $100 million or more.

[Guest]

Considering that most every recent Japanese import has raised their K rate in the states, a near 8 K/9 translates to about top 20 among qualified SP.

 

This probably won't be a popular opinion, but pending more info coming out on Maeda, I'd rather have him than Lester on identical deals.

[WrigleyField 22]

So when we say 6/120 for a Japanese player were talking inclusive of the posting fee now that it's capped right?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Guest]

Also, Shohei Otani tied an NPB record by hitting 101 in his last start of the season.

 

(He probably won't be coming to the US until around 2020.)

[SouthSideRyan]

So when we say 6/120 for a Japanese player were talking inclusive of the posting fee now that it's capped right?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Doesn't seem like it

[Tryptamine]

Also, Shohei Otani tied an NPB record by hitting 101 in his last start of the season.

 

(He probably won't be coming to the US until around 2020.)

 

Otani and Fujinami are going to get ridiculous contracts when they end up coming over. I bet both of them exceed 200M.

[Guest]

Also, Shohei Otani tied an NPB record by hitting 101 in his last start of the season.

 

(He probably won't be coming to the US until around 2020.)

 

Otani and Fujinami are going to get ridiculous contracts when they end up coming over. I bet both of them exceed 200M.

 

Standard pitcher disclaimer of if they stay healthy.

[Vinestal]

Also, Shohei Otani tied an NPB record by hitting 101 in his last start of the season.

 

(He probably won't be coming to the US until around 2020.)

 

Otani and Fujinami are going to get ridiculous contracts when they end up coming over. I bet both of them exceed 200M.

 

Standard pitcher disclaimer of if they stay healthy.

How old will they be by then? At least we should have the big tv money by then (hopefully).

[Guest]

Both will turn 26 during the 2020 season.

[Guest]

@BenBadler: Japan announced its roster for next month's exhibition series vs. MLB players. Kenta Maeda, Shohei Otani, Shintaro Fujinami will be there.

[Guest]

Looks like he probably isn't being posted

 

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2014/10/13/baseball/japanese-baseball/carp-set-hold-posting-ace-maeda/#.VDyXcfldWVB

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Looks like he probably isn't being posted

 

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2014/10/13/baseball/japanese-baseball/carp-set-hold-posting-ace-maeda/#.VDyXcfldWVB

 

Isn't that what the Japanese owners always say right up until the day before they post the player? I feel like we've gone through that a few times.

[Cubswin11]

Damn, not because I wanted him, but because it's one less guy on the market that a Lester/Scherzer competitor would have targeted and spent money on.

[Guest]

Looks like he probably isn't being posted

 

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2014/10/13/baseball/japanese-baseball/carp-set-hold-posting-ace-maeda/#.VDyXcfldWVB

 

Isn't that what the Japanese owners always say right up until the day before they post the player? I feel like we've gone through that a few times.

 

there was some last minute uncertainty with tanaka because of the new posting system but i don't recall this being a thing.