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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.)
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Yuta Kimura |
Name
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| Pitcher |
Position
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| Tokyo Gas |
Previous Club
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| 5/21/85 |
Birthdate
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| 89 / 74 |
Centimeters / Inches
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| 86 / 189 |
Kilograms / Pounds
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| L / L |
Throws / Bats |
Kimura is a towering lefty who's nicknamed by
scouts the "Japanese Randy Johnson" because of his blazing fastball
(149km) and tall frame. The concern is off-the-field issues.
Drafted by Yokohama in 06 he declined, then was
banned from the 2007 draft for accepting bribes from Seibu. He also has a
reputation for having a bad attitude. However, on talent and physical tools
alone, he was the best pitcher in this draft. His slider drops very well. He
also has a screwball, but relies mainly on intimidating batters with his
presence on the mound and hard to hit heat.
Projection: Lotte has no pitchers who had 200 Ks
last year. Naruse has the most with 112. Kimura will be a nice powerful arm to
add. He is already seasoned and has the size and velocity to start right away.
Adding one more pitch to his repertoire would help him exponentially.
If he has the attitude to accept advice and grow
with the coaching, he should be able to crack the rotation right away. Not only
crack the rotation, but he has the potential to lead the team in Ks as a rookie
if circumstances break his way and he keeps a level head.
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Hisayoshi Chono
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Name
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Outfield
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Position
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| Honda
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Previous Club
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| 12/6/84
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Birthdate
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| 178 / 70
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Centimeters / Inches
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| 80 / 176
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Kilograms / Pounds
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| R / R
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Throws / Bats |
Chono has a great combination of precision and power. A pure
slugger. Chono was drafted by Nippon Ham in 2006 but declined to hone his skills
in the industrial league. He also became the first player in 27 years to rebuff
two teams by also declining Lotte's offer in this draft.
Chono would be a good player for a Major League Baseball club to
approach. He is rumored to be disenchanted with NPB at the moment for not
being able to play with the Yomiuri Giants. Playing in America would be a good
way for him to show Yomiuri what they are missing. The three year ban from
Japanese ball for going to the US doesn't seem so bad, since he'd now have to
wait to be drafted again.
Chono is a dependable, solid player. He has a lot of experience
and is a well rounded player, who now has a chip on his shoulder. Lotte was
brilliant for drafting Kimura, but completely dropped the ball in drafting Chono.
There was never a chance he would sign with Lotte, and the waste of a pick is
just silly on management's part. MLB teams should grab Chono while they can.
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Hiroki Ueno
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Name
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| Pitcher |
Position
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| Toyo University
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Previous Club
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| 10/13/86
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Birthdate
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| 181 / 71
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Centimeters / Inches
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| 78 / 172 |
Kilograms / Pounds
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| R / R
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Throws / Bats |
Ueno is a top-level college pitcher who helped
his school win a championship in 2008. Baseball is in his blood, his older
brother plays for the Giants. Even in high school he seemed to be pro level
material, and he matured at the university level.
He pitches a constant 140km and maxes at 146km.
He has a lot of zip on his throws, seeming to travel a perfectly straight line
to the plate. He sometimes gets in trouble with location, placing easy to hit
balls where the hitters want them. He mainly uses a fastball and slider. His
slider doesn't have a lot of drop, but he gets strikes when it gets low.
He sometimes struggles with location and gives up
a long ball. He's not as polished as you would expect one with his experience to
be.
Projection: Ueno has a bit to learn at the pro
level before being a dependable pitcher. He has orthodox form, but not an
abundance of power or control/command. Lotte would probably like to use him
sooner than later, but he's just not ready - and I don't know if he'll be ready
later. He is a development project with good, but not great skills. Mediocre at
best, and that may be too kind.
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