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RETURN to Teams Page
Top Picks from Amateur
Draft going into 2009 Season.
by Brandon Siefken,
JapanBall.com
(This page posted until just
before the start of the 2010 season.)
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Takuya Kai |
Name
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| Pitcher |
Position
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| Tokai University Daisan Senior HS |
Previous Club
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| 12/18/90 |
Birthdate
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| 183 / 72 |
Centimeters / Inches
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| 83 / 183 |
Kilograms / Pounds
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| R / R |
Throws / Bats |
Kai has a 147km fastball and uses his big body
well, but was highly overrated by Japanese scouts. I was never impressed in
the games I saw him pitch.
He uses his fastball and a good slider to
confuse batters. There's no problem with his mechanics or delivery, and his
lower body is very stable. But at his size and velocity I wonder why he wasn't
a dominant, lights-out pitcher at this level.
Projection: It's easy for scouts to fall in
love with a high school pitcher with his size and a 147km fastball. He
can also throw a change-up, fork, and curve but doesn't throw any of them with
great success. He could use some work on his control.
Projection: Orix is not desperate for starters.
Four
pitchers in their rotation were in the Pacific League top 20 in ERA rankings.
Kai was likely drafted for his physical tools and potential, rather than his
numbers. Expect him to spend 2009 developing. If they decide to give him a
shot in spot starts or relief, they may not be pleased with the results yet.
Kai would be best fit to hone his skills and get more polished before trying
his hand at starting at this level.
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Masaki Ihara
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Name
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| Pitcher
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Position
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| Kansai University of
International Studies
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Previous Club
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| 11/4/86
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Birthdate
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| 185 / 72
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Centimeters / Inches
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| 74 / 163
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Kilograms / Pounds
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| L / L
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Throws / Bats |
Ihara has a nice angle
on his fastball. In spring 2008 spring he posted a 4-0 record in four appearances
with a 0.00 ERA and went 4-1 in six appearances with a 1.10 ERA in the fall.
He uses his height well to get good snap on the ball and is good at keeping
his pitches low. I'd like to see him release the ball at more of an angle
to get a more horizontal motion.
He could also use more work on his curve. He's
mentally strong, doesn't panic when he gets behind in the count, and goes for
strikes. He throws consistently in the 140km range, so his arm is at the pro
level, and he seems made to be a starter.
Max velocity is 143km, curve is
115km, slider is 125km and also throws a decent screwball.
Projection: Orix
is not needy of starting pitching right now, but if Ihara can outperform one
of the rotation starters, he might get a shot.
I like him more than Kai. He's
more polished and faced better competition. He might even be able to get a
fifth or sixth starter job if he can't crack the top four in the rotation. He should
make a little noise if he gets the chance. He could use a little more meat on
his frame to add to his velocity.
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Yuki Nishi
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Name
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| Pitcher
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Position
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| Komono HS
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Previous Club
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11/10/90
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Birthdate
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| 180 / 71 |
Centimeters / Inches
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| 81 / 179 |
Kilograms / Pounds
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| R / R
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Throws / Bats |
A mentally tough pitcher with strong
presence on the mound. He has good velocity and control. Great in the
clutch, especially with runners in scoring position.
He's a ground ball
pitcher, not a K thrower. A good team player who has a great attitude.
Nishi is not an overpowering pitcher and I
never felt he was dominating or overly impressive. I think he'd benefit more by pitching
at the university level.
Projection: Obviously with these picks Orix feel they need to boost their
pitching, but Nishi is a reach. The Buffaloes already have a solid rotation,
so they probably don't need Nishi to step in right away.
Look for him to
sharpen his tools and bide time for a crack at the big leagues. He'll spend 2009
on the farm honing his skills. His
best shot at the pro level is as a dependable middle reliever who can get key outs, but does not overpower or get many Ks.
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