Japanese Prospects

[1908]

Better late than never, right? Lots of additional information can be found in the 2003 (premium) and 2004 (premium) editions of this thread.

 

Here are some players to watch for next year and beyond:

 

Kosuke Fukudome CF, 28, L/R

Best outfield prospect currently in Japan. Hit .328/.430/.590 with 28 HR and 103 RBI in 142 games this year, and .328/.412/.577 over his past three healthy seasons ('02, '03, '05). Solid range in the outfield – has the arm for RF. Long shot to be posted. Will be a free agent after 2007.

 

Akinori Iwamura 3B, 26, L/R

Hard-nosed, versatile player. Can play 2B and CF in addition to 3B. Has wanted to be posted since 2002. Not happening again this offseason; I feel for the kid. Hit .319/.388/.555 with 30 HR and 102 RBI in 144 games this year, and .313/.387/.557 over his past three healthy seasons ('02, '04, '05). Strikeouts remain a concern – 146 in 618 plate appearances in 2005.

 

Kenji Johjima C, 29, R/R

Best right-handed hitter in Japan over the past three seasons -- .326/.404/.602. Excellent receiver, solid arm, calls the best game in his league. Hit .309/.381/.557 with 24 HR in 116 games this year. A free agent and signs point to him crossing the Pacific this offseason.

 

Hiroki Kuroda SP, 30, R/R

Rumors have the Hiroshima Carp posting their ace this offseason rather than losing him to free agency and getting nothing in return after 2006. I'll believe it when I see it. 203.2 IP, 161 K, 42 BB, *17 HR, 3.14 ERA, 1.06 WHIP this year. Fastball would touch 95 mph five years ago. Don't know if he's still throwing that hard.

 

Daisuke Matsuzaka SP, 25, R/R

Arguably the most talented player left in Japan. Workload over career makes me nervous but innings back up this season -- 215 IP, 226 SO, 49 BB, 13 HR, 2.30 ERA, 1.03 WHIP. Reported fastball velocities are all over the place – 91 to 93 mph is a safe bet. Throws a lot of different pitches, including the infamous gyroball. Not a free agent until after the 2007 season, he wants to be posted this offseason.

 

Kiyoshi Toyoda RP, 34, R/R

Best closer likely to be available. Free agent. Throws an outstanding forkball. Dominated Japan's Pacific League between 2002-2004. Numbers fell off a bit this year – 34 IP, 31 K, 6 BB, 4 HR, 3.97 ERA, 1.50 WHIP. Still an intriguing prospect.

 

* Hiroshima Municipal Stadium is a bandbox. 300 feet down the lines, 380 to straight-away center.

[WrigleyField 22]

Any chance that the Cubs actually have any scouts over there? Looks like some valuable players could be had.

[1908]

Any chance that the Cubs actually have any scouts over there? Looks like some valuable players could be had.

A chance? Sure, although I'm not aware of them hiring a replacement Pacific-Rim scout since Leon Lee left the organization. The Major League Scouting Bureau covers the area and the Cubs have access to that information.

[AAApittsburgh]

I wonder what corner OFs could be had for a package built around Barrett if the Cubs were to sign Johjima.

[BigbadB]

What will the Kazuo Matsui contract do to signings out of Japan? Will we see a drop in signings? A drop in how much they get signed for? Shorter contracts?

 

What would fix Kaz here in the states? A trade to a smaller market? Would the Mets trade him while assuming a big portion of his contract?

 

I've always wondered how good he might be if you got him out of the Zoo.

[Tim]

What will the Kazuo Matsui contract do to signings out of Japan? Will we see a drop in signings? A drop in how much they get signed for? Shorter contracts?

 

What would fix Kaz here in the states? A trade to a smaller market? Would the Mets trade him while assuming a big portion of his contract?

 

I've always wondered how good he might be if you got him out of the Zoo.

I think he needs to be fully healthy, which I'm not sure he's been while he's been here. He's had a bum hand/wrist, bad back, etc.

[1908]

What will the Kazuo Matsui contract do to signings out of Japan? Will we see a drop in signings? A drop in how much they get signed for? Shorter contracts?

Kazuo's struggles might have had an effect on Iguchi's offer. Might not have too.

 

What would fix Kaz here in the states? A trade to a smaller market? Would the Mets trade him while assuming a big portion of his contract? I've always wondered how good he might be if you got him out of the Zoo.

I think injuries played a large roll. He was pretty banged up the last couple seasons. I read reports that he was finally feeling pretty good in September this year and he hit .353/.382/.529. Does that mean he's fixed? I don't know. It's possible Kazuo's just a bust in MLB. Either way, Ichiro, Hideki and Iguchi have performed well.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

1908,

 

Just to put those numbers in perspective, what were Ichiro, Iguchi, and Hideki Matusi's numbers in their final seasons in Japan?

 

I'd love to see the Cubs show interest in all of those pitchers. Fukudome sounds like an intriguing option if he were available as well.

[ManCrushOnNomar]

Matsuzaka please.

[Outshined_One]

Tadahito Iguchi was absolutely crucial to the White Sox this season and pretty much proved that some guys can come over and immediately produce, especially given how cheap he was.

 

I wonder if that'll have an impact on some of the guys who are posted?

[1908]

Just to put those numbers in perspective, what were Ichiro, Iguchi, and Hideki Matusi's numbers in their final seasons in Japan?

Averages over their last three years in Japan:

 

Ichiro - .362/.428/.541

Iguchi - .314/.389/.520

Hideki- .328/.454/.655

[1908]

Tadahito Iguchi was absolutely crucial to the White Sox this season and pretty much proved that some guys can come over and immediately produce

Very true. Ichiro also produced immediately

[1908]

Matsuzaka please.

Hard to argue with that if his arm is sound. He'd make the biggest splash, too. The coverage from Japan would come very close to what Ichiro and Godzilla got (get).

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Just to put those numbers in perspective, what were Ichiro, Iguchi, and Hideki Matusi's numbers in their final seasons in Japan?

Averages over their last three years in Japan:

 

Ichiro - .362/.428/.541

Iguchi - .314/.389/.520

Hideki- .328/.454/.655

 

So most of the hitters you have mentioned have shown comparable success to the players who have shown success here.

 

Thanks.

 

What do you think the chances of getting Fukudome, and what do you project his numbers to be in the states?

[ManCrushOnNomar]

Matsuzaka please.

Hard to argue with that if his arm is sound. He'd make the biggest splash, too. The coverage from Japan would come very close to what Ichiro and Godzilla got (get).

Exactly. With his storied Gyroball, it'd be a while before the league got even a page in a book on him, especially considering maybe a handful of scouts have ever seen the pitch in person.

[1908]

What do you think the chances of getting Fukudome, and what do you project his numbers to be in the states?

I think it's highly unlikely the Dragons will post him this offseason. If they did and he hit the ground running his first season like Ichiro and Iguchi did, .290/.360/.500 sounds about right.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

What do you think the chances of getting Fukudome, and what do you project his numbers to be in the states?

I think it's highly unlikely the Dragons will post him this offseason. If they did and he hit the ground running his first season like Ichiro and Iguchi did, .290/.360/.500 sounds about right.

 

He would definitely fill the void in CF for us then.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Matsuzaka please.

 

Agreed.

[erik316wttn]

1908,

 

Just to put those numbers in perspective, what were Ichiro, Iguchi, and Hideki Matusi's numbers in their final seasons in Japan?

 

I'd love to see the Cubs show interest in all of those pitchers. Fukudome sounds like an intriguing option if he were available as well.

 

I really wish we'd tap the Japanese market. Plenty of talent there.

 

But, has Hendry even showed the slightest bit of interest?

[USSoccer]

I don't see the Cubs making any moves for any of this guys, unfortunatly. I don't think Hendry properly values the far east, and especially the Japanese leagues.

[don_kessinger_was_good]

Johjima please. Use a Barrett + Walker package to get us some pitching help.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

According to Peter Gammons, the Mets are planning to pursue Johjima, but one unnamed Mets official says it won't happen because Johjima doesn't speak English.

 

 

 

There has been speculation that the Mets will go after Japanese catcher Kenji Jojima, a very good catch-and-throw guy who can hit.

 

"He is very good," said one Mets official. "But it's not going to happen."

 

Why? Not because of a hairline fracture in his leg. Jojima speaks no English, and one thing catchers have to do is communicate.

[1908]

According to Peter Gammons, the Mets are planning to pursue Johjima, but one unnamed Mets official says it won't happen because Johjima doesn't speak English.

 

There has been speculation that the Mets will go after Japanese catcher Kenji Jojima, a very good catch-and-throw guy who can hit.

 

"He is very good," said one Mets official. "But it's not going to happen."

 

Why? Not because of a hairline fracture in his leg. Jojima speaks no English, and one thing catchers have to do is communicate.

Not a new concern, certainly. I think Johjima and his new staff could work around it.

 

Wayne Graczyk, Japan Times[/url]"]As a life-long catcher, Johjima said the most difficult part of his job is staying on the same page with his pitchers.

 

"Communication is very important, and the pitcher and catcher always have to know what the other is doing."

 

This is especially true when one of the Hawks' American pitchers, starter Brady Raggio or relief ace Rodney Pedraza, is on the mound.

 

While Johjima says he speaks very little English, he insists he's never had a major problem with Raggio, Pedraza or any other foreign hurlers Daiei has employed over the past six years.

 

"It's all baseball talk, so we understand each other," he insisted.

 

Pedraza agrees.

 

"Jo knows all the hitters and what we pitchers like to throw, and he'll sense, for example, if my fastball is not there one day, to call for more sliders or whatever pitch is working best.

 

"He's the best catcher in our league for sure, and he can do it all: catch, throw, hit, run," said Pedraza. "I think he has the talent to play in the majors."

[1908]

Another possibility for next year.

 

Hirotoshi Ishii RP, 28, L/L

One of the most dominant relief pitchers in Japan's Central League over the past four seasons. Named Best Setup Pitcher in 2002. Fastball has been clocked as high as 97 mph. No relation to Mets pitcher Kazuhisa Ishii. Missed parts of 2003 and 2004 seasons with a rib injury. Healthy this year -- 73.2 IP, 91 SO, 15 BB, 6 HR, 1.95 ERA, 0.90 WHIP. Very much wants to be posted this offseason. I have my doubts it will happen because he plays for the same team as Iwamura does.

[TheDude]

I wonder if a team in need of a catcher and a solid starter would pursue both Jojima and a starter from Japan.

 

Johjima definately has a future in MLB with those kind of numbers, but it might take a few years for him to establish himself as a caller. I'd suspect he will try to learn English if he does come to the big leagues.