Yokohama BayStars

RETURN to Teams Page

Top Picks from Amateur Draft going into 2009 Season.

by Brandon Siefken, JapanBall.com

(This page to remain posted until just before 2010 season.)

	Keijiro Matsumoto	Name
	Outfield	Position
	Waseda University	Previous Club
	6/24/86	Birthdate
	180 / 71	Centimeters / Inches
	78 / 172	Kilograms / Pounds
	L / L	Throws / Bats

Great bat control. Can run, field and throw at a high level. Matsumoto isn't a power hitter.  He hit only one home run in his college career. He does, however, hit for average well and led college players in batting average twice. 

He's a crafty base stealer with quick feet and a knack for hitting in runs when presented the chance. He hit nine RBIs in his last 12 games. 

Projection:  Matsumoto doesn't project to be an outfielder in the pros, but he does have the potential to steal 20 bases a season if given an opportunity. 

Yokohama is thin in the infield and Matsumoto projects nicely as an infielder and lead-off hitter. Even if the BayStars play him in the outfield, I see Matsumoto playing in 2009 and making contributions in the steals, RBI and team batting average departments. 

If he can develop some power to go along with his high average it will be an added bonus. Matsumoto is in the Ichiro mold, but only time will tell how good of a pro he'll be.

	Hitoshi Fujie	Name
	Pitcher	Position
	Toho Gas	Previous Club
	1/27/86	Birthdate
	177 / 70	Centimeters / Inches
	72 / 159	Kilograms / Pounds
	R / R	Throws / Bats

Fujie was the 2005 MVP in the All Japan Club Tournament, but I never paid much attention to him because industrial league pitchers who only throw 135-140km fastballs are generally not pro material.  He's listed as having thrown up to 148km, but I never saw him go over 140. 

He has an array of average pitches and uses them well, but his lack of a sharp fastball gets him into trouble. 

He matured and was stable in 2008 but, generally speaking, players in the company leagues are older and should be more complete and polished. 

Projection: This pick was a reach for Yokohama, as most of their picks were. I didn't think of Fujie as a prospect. Yokohama's starting pitching is in shambles, aside from some nice young guns, so drafting a pitcher makes sense, but not this pitcher. 

Fujie is not big league material and if the BayStars play him, he'll be on par with Yoshimi (5.30 era) or Nasuno (6.47era) and get rocked early and often.

	Noriharu Yamazaki	Name
	Infield	Position
	Yokohama College of Commerce	Previous Club
	12/13/86	Birthdate
	177 / 70	Centimeters / Inches
	76 / 168	Kilograms / Pounds
	R / R	Throws / Bats

Yamazaki was the Spring 2008 batting champion, averaging .444. He's also an excellent fielder. His stance and swing indicate he's a power hitter, but he lacks a big punch and hits more for average than long balls.

Projection: Yokohama needs help everywhere, especially infield and pitching help. Yamazaki had good numbers against poor competition, and the question remains if his numbers can translate to the pro game. That's the key.

I'd not bet on Yokohama's drafting prowess given their recent track record. Yamazaki is an enigma: He's not going to be a power hitter, but he looks like one. With Yokohama as bad as they are, he may get a chance in 2009, but don't look for him to shine when the opportunities come. 

The gap of competition between Yokohama College of Commerce and the big leagues is just too big to expect him to hit on this stage like he did last year. The balls he'll see will be much faster than 130 km.

	Yota Kosugi	Name
	pitcher	Position
	JR East	Previous Club
	12/8/85	Birthdate
	186 / 73	Centimeters / Inches
	82 / 181	Kilograms / Pounds
	R / R	Throws / Bats

Kosugi is a major gamble who has great stamina. He's the biggest hit or miss prospect in the 2008 draft. Considering Yokohama got him later in the draft, his payoff potential is huge. 

Mental toughness is a question. He quit Asia University and baseball altogether until reviving his career with Japan Railways (JR East). 

Kosugi has huge growth potential. He can max at 148km, but consistently throws in the 138-141 range so is not overpowering. He has matured to become a dependable, consistent pitcher. 

He has great movement on his curve, along with a nice slider and fork.  On the thin side, I'd like to see him bulk up a bit.

Projection: I love this pick. I believe his troubles are behind him and he should have every opportunity to blossom with Yokohama. They need him and he needs them. It's fortunate he came to a team in such shambles, as he'll not only have his opportunity to show is fabulous raw talent, but also not be expected to immediately produce.

Expect Kosugi to play in 2009, maybe even start some games. He should do well.  His size, style and talent are good enough to be a consistent starter at this level.