tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87419534242105557722024-03-17T20:03:42.810-07:00Graveyard BaseballBringing commentary on the Seibu Lions and NPB one shift at a timeWes Millshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14449901755080959873noreply@blogger.comBlogger740125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8741953424210555772.post-65923136932635492282024-02-25T20:43:00.000-08:002024-02-26T16:05:25.568-08:00Imanaga won't need to be a star with Cubs<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh5UVDFLwiR_QWcoLBb2jHxzFZ6cID054KyMMTUOZCiw_B1EtFKY2OlOHaLto8IM5BTjWqp13wuBT3jZHrYMfryw5QULR7YLkPQPW21WzU50oWOkjV_GzYddoAz7n3uwsTTuiAB_rcboXiwptO-zblnjywML68EA7TVtxElVM2DtvMp7pNXmYFr5lwluXg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="729" data-original-width="1296" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh5UVDFLwiR_QWcoLBb2jHxzFZ6cID054KyMMTUOZCiw_B1EtFKY2OlOHaLto8IM5BTjWqp13wuBT3jZHrYMfryw5QULR7YLkPQPW21WzU50oWOkjV_GzYddoAz7n3uwsTTuiAB_rcboXiwptO-zblnjywML68EA7TVtxElVM2DtvMp7pNXmYFr5lwluXg=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p>Shota Imanaga <a href="https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/39282536/sources-cubs-lefty-shota-imanaga-finalizing-4-year-53m-deal">signed with the Chicago Cubs in January</a> as one of many players coming over from NPB to MLB. </p><p>Despite having a high fanfare of projections in the heights of $100 million, he only received a contract with $53 million guaranteed. </p><p>Due to the excellent timing, the Cubs were able to introduce him to the public at Cubs Convention, a weekend event for fans and the team to connect. </p><p>"I am very happy to be here and a Cub. I want to thank the Cubs organization and I'm excited to pitch at Wrigley Field," Imanaga said <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clBMINLK5hE">through interpreter Shingo Murata</a>. "I'm looking forward to being with coaches and teammates. Go Cubs go!"</p><p>Known as a "Throwing Philosopher," Imanaga said he earned this nickname through his studious habits beyond the physical practice in his pitching. </p><p>Imanaga said Seiya Suzuki did not influence his decision to pick the Cubs when he entered the posting window. It was the Cubs themselves who approached and wanted him the most. </p><p>"One of the things that resonated with me is [when the Cubs said they] believe in my potential and do what I do best," Imanaga said. "At the same time, I realize there's a lot of room for me to grow and I look forward to talking with my coaches and teammates to reach that potential when I can. "</p><p>Jed Hoyer, Cubs President of Baseball Operations, said it was an "extensive" process in scouting Imanaga. Both he and General Manager Carter Hawkins did plenty of homework when watching film and reading information. Hoyer even attended a game in September to watch him pitch.</p><p>"We're very excited to bring Shota on board," Hoyer said. "He's been a great teammate. He is very curious and he has his reputation of being a cerebral pitcher. He's very curious, as he wants to continue to get better and that sounds like a perfect match for the Cubs."</p><p>Hoyer added it was a bonus how Imanaga has already embraces the city of Chicago and talked about the great history of Wrigley Field. </p><p>Imanaga's four-year $53 million <a href="https://twitter.com/JonHeyman/status/1744943916497920486">contract is rather soft</a>. The Cubs can pickup a fifth year option for 2028 after the 2025 or 2026 seasons and if they refuse, Imanaga can opt out as early as 2025. </p><p>If Chicago picks up the team option, he will make a combined $80 million through 2028. The Yokohama DeNA Baystars also received a $9.8 million posting fee. </p><p>Imanaga said pitching in the 2023 WBC was an inspiration on how much he can improve his pitching and be even better than he already was in Japan with the Baystars. </p><p>He started the final game against USA taking the first two innings before it was a team bullpen relay for Shohei Ohtani to close it out. </p><p>His biggest transition to MLB will be pitching every fifth game as opposed to once a week in Japan. Imanaga said he would keep an open mind for advice to the changes ahead from a technical standpoint to the larger baseball he's holding. Other things in transition include a pitch clock besides hitters who are more power oriented.</p><p>While wearing No. 18 is a common tradition in Japan for pitchers as the team ace, Imanaga said in his press conference he wanted to be like Ben Zobrist, who was an important player during their 2016 World Series championship team. </p><p>For the Cubs, they're coming off a season where they competed a year ahead of schedule. A September collapse by their bullpen and rotation prevented the postseason, but a finish at 83-79 is still higher than where most baseball experts had them going into 2023. </p><p>Imanaga projects to be a No. 4 or No. 5 starter behind Justin Steele, James Taillon and Kyle Hendricks. On the back side, Imanaga will be with Javier Assad and Jordan Wicks. They lost Marcus Stroman in free agency to the New York Yankees. </p><p>The Cubs will need to shore up their bullpen and it could be a struggle coming into 2024 with several uncertain names. However, the back of their rotation will also need to develop from within. </p><p>Overall, it has been a slow offseason with Imanaga being their big signing, though they retained Cody Bellinger, who was coming off a comeback season in 2023. </p><p>Seiya Suzuki also finished the 2023 season strong after injuries and adjustments hurt him in 2022. There was a gaffe in September, which helped the Arizona Diamondbacks take the final postseason spot, but the Cubs have shown they're in it to compete. </p><p>Aside from Imanaga, their biggest pickup was new Manager Craig Counsell, who they plucked away from the Milwaukee Brewers and within the division. David Ross, his predecessor, likely took the Cubs as far as he could. </p><p>The division is easily up for the grabs when the St. Louis Cardinals came off a down season and the others haven't proven they can hang around for 162 games, but Imanaga's role could get them over that hump into the postseason.</p><p>He doesn't need to be an ace, but a pitcher to eat innings. As long as he keeps his rotation job and even goes deeper into games the Cubs will take that, especially how he's being paid like a No. 5 starter. </p><p>There is plenty of reason for optimism for both the Cubs and their willingness to go into Japan for players. Hoyer spoke about the last seasons of having Suzuki help them in approaching Imanaga. </p><p>"I think the whole organization has learned a lot from having Seiya from these two years and what things we can do better," Hoyer said. "I think Shota really benefits from us having two years of that experience. Our hope has always been that we want to be a destination for Japanese players. We go above and beyond to make sure that transition goes smoothly."</p><p>Previously, the Cubs signed Yu Darvish after the 2017 World Series. Other names include some being infamous for the wrong reasons like Kosuke Fukudome as well as Kyuji Fujikawa and the twilight of Koji Uehara. </p><p>"We probably made some mistakes along the way and improved some things with Seiya, but our hope is that it becomes Seiya and Shota and many more. There are a lot of great players in the NPB and we hope the city of Chicago and Wrigley field and the Cubs will be a destination."</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">===</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">Follow us on X <a href="http://twitter.com/graveyardball" style="color: blue; text-decoration-line: none;">@GraveyardBall</a></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8741953424210555772.post-33434662427347450492024-02-04T20:34:00.000-08:002024-02-08T12:56:52.244-08:00Yamamoto will need to handle spotlight<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjuxr2hPkuv5RHFVF5To_p9EictN811iTIU2u3qdeUZWoxcolMOTlmLFWmHUcCDgyK9O0IpfGF453KbHApcrKciQESnFB-4oUn2rbiBMsbZcppstxcj3ShfSkbt6wZEPa2dPz2FGLtSbdA1TZKqfif1WVZnmDLN-N8BjUQjsob4NR4-dJ1Do2_0VQejdS0" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="515" data-original-width="800" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjuxr2hPkuv5RHFVF5To_p9EictN811iTIU2u3qdeUZWoxcolMOTlmLFWmHUcCDgyK9O0IpfGF453KbHApcrKciQESnFB-4oUn2rbiBMsbZcppstxcj3ShfSkbt6wZEPa2dPz2FGLtSbdA1TZKqfif1WVZnmDLN-N8BjUQjsob4NR4-dJ1Do2_0VQejdS0=w640-h412" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><p></p><p>===</p><p>Yoshinobu Yamamoto joins the Los Angeles Dodgers with sky high expectations. Not only from his success in Japan, but by having the highest guaranteed contract in AAV and years for a pitcher. </p><p>His goal was very obvious in wanting to win games. Yamamoto was overwhelmed by the teams who gave him an offer and wanted his services, but he had a simple priority.</p><p>"It was very important for me for a team that wants to win and not only now but in the future as well," Yamamoto <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kepizQV4NE&pp=ygUOeWFtYW1vdG8gcHJlc3M%3D">said through his interpreter Mako Allbee</a>. "I really felt that through this whole process, The Dodgers provided that opportunity the most. "</p><p>Several teams including the New York Yankees and New York Mets had interest, but he Dodgers matched the fiscal offer by the latter and their prestige won him over.</p><p>Yamamoto downplayed Ohtani's presence when signing, saying he would've picked them regardless for their winning abilities. </p><p>"Through my talks with the front office, it was really clear that they wanted to win," Yamamoto said. But on top of that, the fact that Shohei was doing that (by taking less money up front) also signaled that it wasn't just the front office, but it was the players that bought into this winning atmosphere as well, so that really resonated with me.</p><p>I really felt the front office people were committed in the same direction."</p><p>Despite earning a large contract, the work has just begun to live up to it. The Dodgers are a team who had a great offense and fizzled out of the postseason last October because their pitching depth was depleted. </p><p>Walker Buehler is coming off his second Tommy John surgery and missed the entire 2023 season. </p><p>Julio Urias remains a free agent and will likely be unsigned by the team after the legal trouble he's gone through.</p><p>They did add James Paxton and Tyler Glasnow by signing and trade, respectively, but their expectations don't come close to Yamamoto. </p><p>Longtime pitcher Clayton Kershaw is coming off an injury and won't return until July at the earliest. Shohei Ohtani will obviously not pitch in 2024 coming off a hybrid procedure to his elbow instead of Tommy John surgery.</p><p>Dodgers General Manager Brandon Gomes spoke about Yamamoto being special both on and off the field with his work ethic. </p><p>"There's a different level of intent and focus with each and every throw he makes leading up to that night's game," Gomes said. "Once on the mound, he features multiple weapons to navigate a lineup effectively. In addition to that, it is a truly special command that not only allows him to go deep into games, but when needed, he can feature swing-and-miss stuff that is elite."</p><p>Gomes described Yamamoto as "meticulous" for his routines in workout, recovery and diet to stay active.</p><p>In knowing something about MLB, Yamamoto got a taste of it in 2019 when attending a Dodgers playoff game as well as one in Oakland on a California trip. By coincidence, Kenta Maeda was pitching for the Dodgers.</p><p>Yamamoto's 12-year, $325 million contract through 2035 has no deferred payments compared to Ohtani. There are <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/yoshinobu-yamamotos-opt-outs-from-dodgers-contract-reportedly-depend-on-the-health-of-his-elbow-002333569.html">two opt-out options in his contract and they can kick in earlier or later depending on if he has Tommy John surgery or misses a significant amount of time with an elbow injury</a>. </p><p>If Yamamoto has Tommy John surgery or misses 134 consecutive service days from 2024-2029 due to an elbow issue, he can opt out after the 2031 and 2033 seasons. </p><p>In the event Yamamoto is healthy through his first six years, he can opt out after the 2029 and 2031 seasons.</p><p>For the injury scenario, the Dodgers could gain a $10 million conditional option for 2036. </p><p>Yamamoto will be asked to carry the Dodgers rotation with little to no grace period. He is only making $5 million in 2024, yet the expectations will always remain high. </p><p>'There is that sense of relief of saying 'I'm finally here when I finally made it,' but obviously this is where it all starts and I still got to put in the work from here on out to continue to strive to get better," Yamamoto said. </p><p>In reality, Yamamoto has barely been on a huge radar compared to others in NPB. While it's true he's won the Sawamura Award three times and had several accolades as an ace for the Orix Buffaloes, the pressure has been minimal.</p><p>Despite their recent on-field success, Orix is one of the least popular teams in Japan and <a href="https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/8990d1a90a6639c7a7f1120167a2d977b5b7fcce">plays second fiddle to the Hanshin Tigers</a> in the Kansai market. </p><p>Most of the media and fans of this area will be loud and critical of the Tigers like they're an East Coast team in an intense manner. </p><p>The Orix Buffaloes on the other hand don't have attendance even close to Hanshin in percentage. At Kyocera Dome, it's very easy to walk up and buy a ticket on Gameday with an electronic kiosk available. </p><p>In perspective, Yamamoto's humble beginnings started in the draft, where he was a fourth-round selection out of high school. </p><p>"Looking back at my high school self, you'd probably be very surprised at where I am now," Yamamoto said. "But I really feel like I have been doing the same thing since I entered NPB at 18 years old. But I think I was also blessed and very lucky to be surrounded by the right people to support me to where I am now."</p><p>His career up to this point has led to an ability to rise up and. be anonymous in Japan aside from the baseball fanatics due to playing for Orix. </p><p>Yamamoto gave up multiple runs in his only stateside appearance during the WBC win against Mexico while in Miami. He couldn't get the shutdown inning, yet he was bailed out by Japan's offense in the 9th inning, capped off by a sayonara hit by Munetaka Murakami. </p><p>These first few months will be uncharted waters, which he downplayed how anyone coming to MLB from Japan will need to adjust to the culture changes and the schedule of pitching every five days as opposed to once a week. </p><p>Southern California's media market doesn't have the same intensity as New York or Boston, but there's still plenty of people who will be loud if there is struggling. </p><p>The rotation spotlight will be on Yamamoto as he comes to Chavez Ravine. How does he handle this pressure from humble beginnings? Time will tell.</p><p>"From today moving forward, I promise to all the fans of LA that I will focus my everything to become a better player and to become a world champion," Yamamoto said. "As a member of the Dodgers, I'll stop simply admiring the players I looked up to, but rather strive to become the player that others want to become." </p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">===</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">Follow us on X <a href="http://twitter.com/graveyardball" style="color: blue; text-decoration-line: none;">@GraveyardBall</a></p><p><span data-slate-node="text" face="-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif" style="background-color: #f8f9fa; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="jss75 jss78" data-slate-leaf="true" style="border-radius: 4px; cursor: pointer;"><span data-slate-string="true"> </span></span></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8741953424210555772.post-90647499673389150452024-01-28T14:45:00.000-08:002024-01-28T14:45:06.597-08:00Matsui's wait to MLB is rewarded<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjJAM07JAPpmsn2f-mws4oZwzrNLC9qcZaXR_ZC7Fsl3-8rFOz2zIpKi77BcqHKMLC-nBm090a2_DzhbxPv0ZMVMpFghqvTsBrBLbv295Wsc045gW6zUqjkruHM8ZTIV5nipkhuT84izpatORsHi2EU5xQUYf-2bK3cDG8sCH5OuVtzL4g8UZiUULDXNG8" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjJAM07JAPpmsn2f-mws4oZwzrNLC9qcZaXR_ZC7Fsl3-8rFOz2zIpKi77BcqHKMLC-nBm090a2_DzhbxPv0ZMVMpFghqvTsBrBLbv295Wsc045gW6zUqjkruHM8ZTIV5nipkhuT84izpatORsHi2EU5xQUYf-2bK3cDG8sCH5OuVtzL4g8UZiUULDXNG8=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Yuki Matsui took the long way to MLB. </p><p>Instead of early domination and a posting, he had to wait for nine years of service time to reach international free agent rights. It's the same path Kodai Senga was forced to reach given he was on a team that never posted a player.</p><p>Matsui, 28, wanted to play in MLB several years ago with hopes of being posted, but he didn't let the waiting time hamper him. He said he needed to improve his skills to be ready for the jump across the Pacific Ocean. </p><p>"It wasn't really much of a wait for me to come here, Matsui said <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIifzgF8KCE">through interpreter Shinjo in a video press conference</a>. "I mentioned [to the team] that in wanted to pitch [in MLB] back in 2019, but I really had to get ready and I had to hone my draft in order to be a player to be wanted by these big league teams. Throughout these years, I was working on my craft and building my body. It wasn't a long wait for me as I was just focusing on baseball everyday."</p><p>He officially signed with the San Diego Padres in December, being one of four Japanese players making the switch from NPB to MLB.</p><p>What helped the process in picking the Padres? None other than having Samurai Japan teammate Yu Darvish being there.</p><p>"Darvish is a pretty big presence for me," Matsui said "It will be a big plus being able to play baseball [with him] and live close to him."</p><p>His contract with the Padres is rather fair for the market as a relief pitcher. </p><p>On the surface, it's five years for the cost of $28 million. However, there are plenty of incentives and even an opt out and team option available.</p><p>If Matsui does not have Tommy John or an elbow injury that causes more than 130 consecutive days on the injured list from 2024-2025, he has the right to opt out after three years and making a combined $14.5 million.</p><p>In the event a major elbow injury happens, Matsui's $7 million 2028 salary becomes a conditional team option with potential to become a player option.</p><p>There's also an incentive based kicker where he can increase his salary each year depending on games finished, which creates the motivation to become the team's closer.</p><p>Matsui humbly brought up how he hadn't pitched a single MLB game yet and didn't expect to close games immediately. He even spoke with players who came from MLB to NPB on needing to relearn things in baseball in this transition. </p><p>Despite winning a World Baseball Classic championship with Samurai Japan, Matsui expressed disappointment in himself as he didn't perform on the biggest stage in favor of other pitchers and didn't appear in the semi finals or finals against Mexico nor the USA. </p><p>"Beyond the great experience with that awesome team to win the WBC, for myself I wasn't able to perform as I wanted to, Matsui said. "I turned that into motivation. I'm motivated to go to the States and put on my best."</p><p>Matsui was originally a first round draft pick by the Rakuten Eagles in 2013 and he made the transition to closer in 2015 out of necessity due to the team having thin bullpen depth. This call by then-manager Dave Okubo worked wonders as he thrived in the 9th inning. </p><p>Matsui became the youngest player who have 200 saves in NPB with a career ERA of 2.40 and 1.11 WHIP. </p><p>The Padres situation is a strange transition. Last offseason, they proved to be one of the bigger spenders going all-in and signing massive contracts with Xander Bogaerts in free agency and large extensions to Manny Machado and Yu Darvish. They even had Juan Soto acquired by trade during 2022. </p><p>The 2023 Season flopped with unclutch hitting and wasting a Cy Young season from Blake Snell. </p><p>Their run differential reflected they should've been better, but they barely finished above .500 at 82-80 with most of those wins coming too late. </p><p>Manager Bob Melvin left the team for the San Francisco Giants, but the larger issue is within the ownership structure. It was revealed the Padres had to take a loan to cover expenses finishing the 2023 season due to the Regional Sports Network (RSN) deal at Bally Sports collapsing in the middle of the year. Their TV rights being dropped hurt their revenue and the payroll shedding is reflective of this going into 2024.</p><p>Padres owner passed away in November, making the structure going forward uncertain. </p><p>San Diego is in an odd middle ground where they can't rebuild when Bogaerts and Machado exist on the roster, yet they don't look good on paper to take that step and be a contender. </p><p>For Matsui, the bullpen position is open as 2023 closer Josh Hader signed a free agent deal with the Houston Astros. </p><p>Former Softbank Hawks reliever Robert Suarez has been with the Padres since 2022 and could be an option as is Tom Cosgrove. </p><p>Among other competition, the Padres also signed Woo-suk Go from the KBO's LG Twins via the posting system, who also has closing experience. </p><p>The expectations for this team are in the middle, but the opportunity for Matsui to thrive in the bullpen and be a main reliever from setup to even closer role is there.</p><p style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">===</p><p style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">Follow us on X <a href="http://twitter.com/graveyardball" style="color: blue; text-decoration-line: none;">@GraveyardBall</a></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8741953424210555772.post-47481453767165534472024-01-27T15:40:00.000-08:002024-01-27T15:40:32.187-08:00One season later: Progress Report on 2022 Seibu Lions Draft Class<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi2dFWdN_BdFWrrI7o1ZTWcbEY74od2Se89g1DxQSQeFfS78OLSiZ3E1HS4ARmEXsXu5o7zeDhLKvfJrqeL0qJylFl-9VkfSnzqykU7wNgdHHj-Stx84uuezLDNIFlRe8sV0DsTsx4Z3FD9t1lKUxgAJA8US95heYTsgjskfH2FLIYnMI2PGZXUi5QGI84" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi2dFWdN_BdFWrrI7o1ZTWcbEY74od2Se89g1DxQSQeFfS78OLSiZ3E1HS4ARmEXsXu5o7zeDhLKvfJrqeL0qJylFl-9VkfSnzqykU7wNgdHHj-Stx84uuezLDNIFlRe8sV0DsTsx4Z3FD9t1lKUxgAJA8US95heYTsgjskfH2FLIYnMI2PGZXUi5QGI84=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p>===</p><p>We conclude our Seibu Lions draft series dating back to 2014 with a brief look at the 2022 Draft Class.</p><p>Like the last few, this is a progress report and the jury is still out on all these picks. </p><p>===</p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>First round: Takuya Hiruma (Waseda University, Tokyo)</b></span></p><p>Hiruma was thought to be the best pure hitter in this class and the Lions earned his rights unopposed, even as expected at least one or two teams to contest this. For his rookie season, he had flashes while earning his first call up closer to the start of summer. </p><p>He has plenty of room to grow, but has the traits of a five-tool player.</p><p><b>Grade: A-</b></p><p>===</p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Second Round: Yudai Furukawa (Saiki Kakujo, Oita)</b></span></p><p>Furukawa was viewed as an athlete who needed to bulk up since coming out of high school. He spent the 2023 season training as he gained five kilograms. </p><p>Furukawa only appeared in one ni-gun game as he trained mostly with the third team unit. </p><p>If things project right, he could be a starting outfielder in a few years.</p><p><b>Grade: B+</b></p><p>===</p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Third round: Kaito Noda (Kyushu Kokusai, Fukuoka)</b></span></p><p>Noda was a two-way player taken as a catcher out of high school. A U18 Samurai Japan member, Noda showed good footwork as a catcher to draw attention of the scouts. He appeared in 15 ni-gun games for 2023 and hopes to build off of it.</p><p>A long term project, he could become a starting catcher in a few years. </p><p><b>Grade: B</b></p><p>===</p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Fourth Round: Minato Aoyama (Asia University, Tokyo)</b></span></p><p><span>Aoyama was given a significant amount of playing time for a rookie. Manager Kazuo Matsui had him make his ichi-gun debut in a save situation on Opening Day in 2023, where he couldn't close. </span></p><p><span>He lost his closer role despite earning high leverage situations through camp and ended the year in medium and low leverage. </span></p><p><span>In 39 games, he recorded a 2.96 ERA in 45.2 of innings of work. The jury is still out, it's a matter of if he can learn from his rookie season going forward. </span></p><p><span><b>Grade: B-</b></span></p><p>===</p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Fifth round: Haruto Yamada (Ohmi, Shiga)</b></span></p><p><span>Yamada was a 2021 Koshien tournament darling who took his school to the semifinals. For 2023, he only recorded three ni-gun games and hopes to develop his body and pitches entering 2024.</span></p><p>It's possible the Lions see him as a future relief pitcher. </p><p><b>Grade: C+</b></p><p>===</p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Sixth round: Ryosuke Kodama (Osaka Gas, Osaka)</b></span></p><p><span>Kodama was forced to play very early into the 2023 season with Sosuke Genda injured at shortstop. A shakaijin, Kodama showed his defense is solid, but his bat was lacking to be an everyday ichi-gun player.</span></p><p><span>At worst, the Lions found a defensive replacement, which is good for the sixth round. </span></p><p><span><b>Grade: B-</b></span></p><p>===</p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Ikusei Round 1: Kazuki Nomura (Ishikawa Million Stars, Ishikawa)</b></span></p><p>Nomura stayed with the third team for the 2023 season in an underwhelming first year. He appeared in only four ni-gun games.</p><p>===</p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Ikusei Round 2: Montell Higuma (Tokushima Indigo Socks, Tokushima)</b></span></p><p>Higuma saw 21 ni-gun games for 2023 and would be closer to earning a promotion compared to some players. </p><p>===</p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Ikusei Round 3: Daiki Miura (Chukyo University, Aichi)</b></span></p><p><span>Miura pitched in 13 ni-gun games with minimal impact. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>===</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Ikusei Round 4: Ryosuke Koresawa (Hosei University, Tokyo)</b></span></p><p>Koresawa was a career backup catcher in the Tokyo Big6. He appeared in 26 ni-gun games for 2023. He has an uphill battle given the catcher position on the Lions. </p><p>===</p><p><br /></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="ja"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E5%9F%BC%E7%8E%89%E8%A5%BF%E6%AD%A6%E3%83%A9%E3%82%A4%E3%82%AA%E3%83%B3%E3%82%BA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#埼玉西武ライオンズ</a> 2022ドラフトクラスの採点方法を教えてください?<br /><br />What's your <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SeibuLions?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SeibuLions</a> 2022 Draft grade? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/npbeng?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#npbeng</a><br /><br />拡散してください<br /> <a href="https://twitter.com/64Uni_Lions?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@64Uni_Lions</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/nerimamo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nerimamo</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E8%9B%AD%E9%96%93%E6%8B%93%E5%93%89?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#蛭間拓哉</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E5%8F%A4%E5%B7%9D%E9%9B%84%E5%A4%A7?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#古川雄大</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E9%87%8E%E7%94%B0%E6%B5%B7%E4%BA%BA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#野田海人</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E9%9D%92%E5%B1%B1%E7%BE%8E%E5%A4%8F%E4%BA%BA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#青山美夏人</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E5%B1%B1%E7%94%B0%E9%99%BD%E7%BF%94?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#山田陽翔</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E5%85%90%E7%8E%89%E4%BA%AE%E6%B6%BC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#児玉亮涼</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E9%87%8E%E6%9D%91%E5%92%8C%E8%BC%9D?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#野村和輝</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E3%83%A2%E3%83%B3%E3%83%86%E3%83%AB?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#モンテル</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E4%B8%89%E6%B5%A6%E5%A4%A7%E8%BC%9D?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#三浦大輝</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E6%98%AF%E6%BE%A4%E6%B6%BC%E8%BC%94?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#是澤涼輔</a></p>— Graveyard Baseball (@GraveyardBall) <a href="https://twitter.com/GraveyardBall/status/1750678243257065757?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 26, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><p><br /></p><p>===</p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Overall: B</b></span></p><p>It's too early to make any calls on these players after one season. But like most drafts, it will hinge on Hiruma, the first round pick who has very high expectations to become a starting outfielder.</p><p>===</p><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><b>Other drafts in series:</b></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><a href="https://graveyardbaseball.blogspot.com/2024/01/nine-seasons-later-grading-2014-seibu.html" style="color: blue; text-decoration-line: none;">2014</a></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><a href="https://graveyardbaseball.blogspot.com/2024/01/eight-seasons-later-grading-seibu-lions.html" style="color: blue; font-size: 13.2px; text-decoration-line: none;">2015</a></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><a href="https://graveyardbaseball.blogspot.com/2024/01/seven-seasons-later-grading-seibu-lions.html" style="color: blue; text-decoration-line: none;">2016</a></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><a href="https://graveyardbaseball.blogspot.com/2024/01/six-seasons-later-grading-seibu-lions.html" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; text-decoration-line: none;">2017</a></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><a href="https://graveyardbaseball.blogspot.com/2024/01/five-seasons-later-grading-2018-seibu.html">2018</a></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><a href="https://graveyardbaseball.blogspot.com/2024/01/four-seasons-later-grading-2019-seibu.html" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; text-decoration-line: none;">2019</a></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><a href="https://graveyardbaseball.blogspot.com/2024/01/three-seasons-later-grading-2020-seibu.html">2020</a></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><a href="https://graveyardbaseball.blogspot.com/2024/01/two-seasons-later-progress-report-on.html" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;">2021</a></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><p style="font-size: 13.2px;">===</p><p style="font-size: 13.2px;">Follow us on X <a href="http://twitter.com/graveyardball" style="color: blue; text-decoration-line: none;">@GraveyardBall</a></p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8741953424210555772.post-66578631935689829202024-01-26T15:52:00.000-08:002024-01-26T15:52:44.635-08:00Two seasons later: Progress Report on 2021 Lions draft <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj8UGFaEulx5VSCeruHmd7Vdf9dpyE4zwf4rBIxkXROd15Dyg5DDor28kpJR_Lpyhq8V26L4u6UkqNHBXhvwKISbIvPbZ1YA4PuOzeumjzGT13i_aO_crErjyFD5VOb8q_aBMiOS5fshzaf0qrbgjTc7nvmFYBh2VqhQ2Ekk7GCS3zn9N4tuCWQrR4BSVM" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="304" data-original-width="640" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj8UGFaEulx5VSCeruHmd7Vdf9dpyE4zwf4rBIxkXROd15Dyg5DDor28kpJR_Lpyhq8V26L4u6UkqNHBXhvwKISbIvPbZ1YA4PuOzeumjzGT13i_aO_crErjyFD5VOb8q_aBMiOS5fshzaf0qrbgjTc7nvmFYBh2VqhQ2Ekk7GCS3zn9N4tuCWQrR4BSVM=w640-h304" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>===</p><p>As we move to more recent draft classes, none of these grades are written in stone with the exception of two players who are no longer with the Saitama Seibu Lions.</p><p>Much of this is based on potential given many of these players are not even 25 years old. </p><p>===</p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>First round: Chihiro Sumida (Nippon Nishi Kogyo, Fukuoka)</b></span></p><p><span>After much anticipation, the Lions won the draft rights to Chihiro Sumida with three other teams. They even had Mitsuo Iida, a managing director take the drawing. </span></p><p><span>Sumida has a rough rookie season after a strong debut. However, he rebounded nicely in 2023 and can still project to be an ace of the rotation. He barely came up short of 10 wins, but nearly having one strikeout per inning gives the team hope for optimism. </span></p><p><span><b>Grade: A</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>===</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Second round: Shunsuke Sato (Tsukuba University, Ibaraki)</b></span></p><p>If the Lions lost on the rights for Sumida, they would have likely nominated Sato as their fallback option. Instead, he went unclaimed in the first round and the Lions were able to snag him in Round 2. </p><p>After getting a taste of ichi-gun action in 2022, he was a reliable setup reliever for 2023 and could easily become a closer in the future. He had the makeup of a potential first round pick, but the Lions getting him is bonus.</p><p><b>Grade: A-</b></p><p>===</p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Third round: Yuto Koga (Chuo University, Tokyo)</b></span></p><p><span>Koga was seen as an insurance pick with the potential loss of Tomoya Mori in free agency. Once Mori left the team after 2022, Koga won the starting catcher position and showed great pop speed in his defense.</span></p><p><span>With Ginjiro Sumitani back with the Lions, he can only continue to elevate his game learning from one of the best.</span></p><p><span><b>Grade: B+</b> </span></p><p>===</p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Fourth round: Shinnosuke Hada (Hachioji Gakuen, Tokyo)</b></span></p><p>Hada was drafted for his potential to throw hard combined with a versatile arsenal of pitches. </p><p>In two of years of ni-gun baseball, he has seen extended time in starts and long relief. It's possible he could be ready in 1-2 years as an ichi-gun pitcher. </p><p><b>Grade: B+</b></p><p>===</p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Fifth round: Masaya Kuroda (Hachinohe Kogyo, Aomori)</b></span></p><p><span>Like Hada, Kuroda was also drafted out of high school for his hard throwing abilities and has seen more outings in ni-gun as a starter. He enters his age 20 season in 2024 with the hopes of being a rotation candidate two years from now. </span></p><p><b>Grade: B</b></p><p>===</p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Sixth round: Seigo Nakayama (Hakuoh University, Tochigi)</b></span></p><p>Nakayama made his debut in May of 2022, but has a brutal error where he failed to catch a ball thrown by pitcher Katsunori Hirai. This led to a game losing two runs later that inning and he never recovered from it, going 0-3 in this outing.</p><p>With an ineffective ni-gun season having an OPS under .600, the Lions viewed him as expendable and put him on senryokugai after two seasons. </p><p><b>Grade: F</b></p><p>===</p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Ikusei Round 1: Takeru Furuichi (Tokushima Indigo Socks, Tokushima)</b></span></p><p>Furuichi earned a promotion to the 70-man roster in 2023 and appeared in 29 ichi-gun games as a reserve catcher. He recorded a paltry eight hits in 50 at bats, but earning a promotion in an age 21 season is always a plus.</p><p><b>Grade: C+</b></p><p>===</p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Ikusei Round 2: Natsuo Takizawa (Sekine Gakuen, Niigata)</b></span></p><p>Takizawa was the first ikusei to earn a promotion from this class from the middle of 2022. One of the shorter players on the team who can still grow, Takizawa created an early spark as a base runner and the Lions won multiple games during his first week at the ichi-gun level. </p><p>After appearing in 48 ichi-gun games in 2022, he regressed in 2023 with only 16 appearances at the top level.</p><p><b>Grade: B</b></p><p>===</p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Ikusei Round 3: Shinya Sugai (Yamamoto Gakuen, Yamagata)</b></span></p><p>Sugai was drafted for being a finesse pitcher with good breaking balls, specifically his slider.</p><p>In 2023, he made 15 ni-gun starts with a 4-2 record and a 3.12 ERA in 66.1 innings of work. It's possible he could earn a promotion down the line.</p><p><b>Grade: Satisfactory</b></p><p>===</p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Ikusei Round 4: Keishin Kawamura (Kokugakuin University, Tokyo)</b></span></p><p>Kawamura only appeared in 31 ni-gun games for 2022, but the strangest bizarre moment came in June after he requested his release for personal reasons. </p><p>It was revealed later that <a href="https://helohelion.net/archives/15316863.html#google_vignette" target="_blank">month he and his family</a> were the beneficiaries of improper benefits (bribery) which led to his brother being arrested. Kawamura returned any benefits and wasn't arrested, but he felt his damage was already done and chose to move forward in his career. </p><p><b>Grade: Incomplete</b></p><p>===</p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Overall: A</b></span></p><p>It's possible the first three players in this class could remain as ichi-gun regular for a long time if they keep this up. </p><p>Even the ikusei and high school draft picks still have potential to do some damage down the road. If anyone else becomes an ichi-gun player, it could be one of the greatest classes in a long time to have quantity and quality. </p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="ja"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E5%9F%BC%E7%8E%89%E8%A5%BF%E6%AD%A6%E3%83%A9%E3%82%A4%E3%82%AA%E3%83%B3%E3%82%BA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#埼玉西武ライオンズ</a> 2021ドラフトクラスの採点方法を教えてください?<br /><br />What's your <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SeibuLions?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SeibuLions</a> 2021 Draft grade? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/npbeng?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#npbeng</a><br /><br />拡散してください<br /> <a href="https://twitter.com/64Uni_Lions?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@64Uni_Lions</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/nerimamo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nerimamo</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E9%9A%85%E7%94%B0%E7%9F%A5%E4%B8%80%E9%83%8E?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#隅田知一郎</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E4%BD%90%E8%97%A4%E9%9A%BC%E8%BC%94?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#佐藤隼輔</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E5%8F%A4%E8%B3%80%E6%82%A0%E6%96%97?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#古賀悠斗</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E7%BE%BD%E7%94%B0%E6%85%8E%E4%B9%8B%E4%BB%8B?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#羽田慎之介</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E9%BB%92%E7%94%B0%E5%B0%86%E7%9F%A2?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#黒田将矢</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E4%B8%AD%E5%B1%B1%E8%AA%A0%E5%90%BE?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#中山誠吾</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E5%8F%A4%E5%B8%82%E5%B0%8A?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#古市尊</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E6%BB%9D%E6%BE%A4%E5%A4%8F%E5%A4%AE?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#滝澤夏央</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E8%8F%85%E4%BA%95%E4%BF%A1%E4%B9%9F?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#菅井信也</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E5%B7%9D%E6%9D%91%E5%95%93%E7%9C%9F?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#川村啓真</a></p>— Graveyard Baseball (@GraveyardBall) <a href="https://twitter.com/GraveyardBall/status/1749631857694589328?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 23, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><p>===</p><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><b>Other drafts in series:</b></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><a href="https://graveyardbaseball.blogspot.com/2024/01/nine-seasons-later-grading-2014-seibu.html" style="color: blue; text-decoration-line: none;">2014</a></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><a href="https://graveyardbaseball.blogspot.com/2024/01/eight-seasons-later-grading-seibu-lions.html" style="color: blue; font-size: 13.2px; text-decoration-line: none;">2015</a></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><a href="https://graveyardbaseball.blogspot.com/2024/01/seven-seasons-later-grading-seibu-lions.html" style="color: blue; text-decoration-line: none;">2016</a></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><a href="https://graveyardbaseball.blogspot.com/2024/01/six-seasons-later-grading-seibu-lions.html" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; text-decoration-line: none;">2017</a></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><a href="https://graveyardbaseball.blogspot.com/2024/01/five-seasons-later-grading-2018-seibu.html">2018</a></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><a href="https://graveyardbaseball.blogspot.com/2024/01/four-seasons-later-grading-2019-seibu.html" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; text-decoration-line: none;">2019</a></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><a href="https://graveyardbaseball.blogspot.com/2024/01/three-seasons-later-grading-2020-seibu.html">2020</a></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><p style="font-size: 13.2px;">===</p><p style="font-size: 13.2px;">Follow us on X <a href="http://twitter.com/graveyardball" style="color: blue; text-decoration-line: none;">@GraveyardBall</a></p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8741953424210555772.post-51471521161085954382024-01-25T16:02:00.000-08:002024-01-26T15:57:42.622-08:00Three Seasons later: Grading the 2020 Seibu Lions Draft class<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEipQWN19s4pfQ9l-1e__d6f2SLvsqrsndTXRMSF76zyRI5ryluJGKVbUdYC2L0sqy2TNbrxTld-3vfQrcZEBNxGGXd07XSkovKj08G2ytdPnAZy9WYKKjna1_RqCXU-Mt4JgY9Rq_8N_9AR_wVA4GeufMCN5nDmiVRNKCqzCdiAUyfTjuOubCIEkKlFNwQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="531" data-original-width="796" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEipQWN19s4pfQ9l-1e__d6f2SLvsqrsndTXRMSF76zyRI5ryluJGKVbUdYC2L0sqy2TNbrxTld-3vfQrcZEBNxGGXd07XSkovKj08G2ytdPnAZy9WYKKjna1_RqCXU-Mt4JgY9Rq_8N_9AR_wVA4GeufMCN5nDmiVRNKCqzCdiAUyfTjuOubCIEkKlFNwQ" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>===<div><br /></div><div>The Saitama Seibu Lions came off a pennant title, prompting to a last priority with the draft, or at least in positioning. Two players were considered the consensus best, so how did they go about it?</div><div><br /></div><div>Here's a progress report now that we're currently three seasons into this 2020 class.</div><div><br /></div><div>===</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>First round: Kento Watanabe (Toin University, Kanagawa)</b></span></div><div><br /></div><div>The Lions lost a four-way drawing for P Takahashi Hayakawa, who was thought to be the best pitcher in the class. They had no say in this with manager Hatsuhiko Tsuji being the last to put his hand in the box, therefore having no control over which ticket he'd have. </div><div><br /></div><div>They settled for Watanabe with the hopes he could be the heir to Hotaka Yamakawa on the infield as a slugger. </div><div><br /></div><div>Through three seasons, Watanabe has been a disappointment and as he enters his age 26 season, it's a make or break year determining what he is. He doesn't appear to be the power hitter nor make enough contact to be an everyday hitter. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Grade: D</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><i>Hindsight: Hanshin Tigers landed Teruaki Sato in a four-way drawing. Orix took Shunpeita Yamashita as a backup unopposed. Fighters took Hiromi Itoh. Dragons took Hiroto Takahashi, Carp took Ryoki Kurebayashi, Baystars took Taisei Irie</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>===</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Second round: Takeru Sasaki (NTT East, Tokyo)</b></span></div><div><br /></div><div>The Lions took a shakaijin pitcher with hopes he could contribute sooner than later. After a slow rookie season, he had promise as an innings eater in 2022 with some medium leverage outings. </div><div><br /></div><div>He continued to see action in 2023, but an elbow injury forced him to have Tommy John surgery. Sasaki is currently under an ikusei tier contract as he recovers. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Grade: C</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><i>Hindsight: None (Lions drafted at the end of this round). Baystars took Shugo Maki</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>===</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Third round: Takayoshi Yamamura (Tokaidai Sagami, Kanagawa)</b></span></div><div><br /></div><div>Yamamura was drafted with the projection of a possible leadoff hitter for the future. </div><div><br /></div><div>He made his ichi-gun debut in 2023 with an injury to Sosuke Genda, but is still an unfinished project. He enters his age 22 season this year and could make strides if he beats out his competition.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Grade: B</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><i>Hindsight: Carp took Haruki Ohmichi</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>===</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Fourth round: Gakuto Wakabayashi (Komazawa University, Tokyo)</b></span></div><div><br /></div><div>Wakabayashi looked like a promising player in his rookie 2021 season. However, an injury sidelined him and he wasn't able to repeat the early success. Time is starting to run out on if he can be a star they thought he had the potential to be.</div><div><br /></div><div>He has yet to play even 50 ichi-gun games in a regular season.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Grade: C-</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>===</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Fifth round: Ren Omagari (Fukuoka University, Fukuoka)</b></span></div><div><br /></div><div>Omagari came from rubber ball when drafted where the Lions saw a project. He's made a handful of appearances in low leverage, but has yet to really breakout or earn regular ichi-gun time. Like the other college players, time is running out.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Grade: D</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><i>Hindsight: Tigers took Shoki Murakami</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>===</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Sixth round: "Brandon" Taiga Tysinger (Hokkaido Nogyo Okhotsk, Hokkaido)</b></span></div><div><br /></div><div>Like Wakabayashi, Tysinger had early promise in 2021 and came in as an injury replacement. He failed to capitalize and has been a ni-gun regular ever since with no ichi-gun appearances in 2022 or 2023. </div><div><br /></div><div>The Lions dropped Brandon to ikusei status at the conclusion of the 2023 season. With this uphill battle, it's not looking good.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Grade: D</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>===</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Seventh Round: Yuta Nakamigawa (Osaka Toin, Osaka)</b></div><div><br /></div><div>At first reaction, Nakamigawa's roots with Osaka Toin brought excitement to Lions fans to continue the pipeline with this school. </div><div><br /></div><div>However, Nakamigawa was dropped to ikusei status after the 2023 season. He only appeared in 11 ni-gun games and participated in more third team games with independent clubs and university squads last season.</div><div><br /></div><div>Unfortunately, his odds of earning his way back are slim as he was the last player taken in the main draft. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Grade: D</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>===</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: large;">Ikusei Round 1: Yuto Akagami (Tohoku Koeki University, Yamagata)</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Akagami earned a promotion to the 70-man roster in 2022, but an elbow injury required a surgery and he failed to make his ichi-gun debut. </div><div><br /></div><div>Having spent most of 2023 recovering, he only appeared in one ni-gun game and was dropped back down to ikusei status for 2024. </div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Grade: Incomplete</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>===</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Ikusei Round 2: Shinya Hasegawa (Tsuruga Kehi, Fukui)</b></span></div><div><br /></div><div>Hasegawa's career started on a rough note when incorrectly using social media leading to a suspension, but he earned a promotion to the 70-man roster in 2022. For an ikusei, he's received a decent amount of playing time and had four home runs in 2023, one of them being a walkoff against the Chunichi Dragons. He could still develop into something at age 22 </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Grade: C+</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>===</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Ikusei Round 3: Joseph Ken Miyamoto (Nagoya Gakuin University, Aichi)</b></span></div><div><br /></div><div>Miyamoto is an outfielder with Ghanaian descent with a Japanese mother. He was from a lower tier baseball university team. </div><div><br /></div><div>In three seasons, he has been a ni-gun player for a handful of games and the Lions had to renew his ikusei contract last offseason. His chances of being called up are thin.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Grade: Incomplete</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>===</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: large;">Ikusei Round 4: Taishi Mameda (Urasa Jitsugyo Gakuen, Saitama)</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Mameda was taken for his fastball and it didn't hurt he has local ties to Saitama Prefecture. </div><div><br /></div><div>For 2023, Mameda earned a promotion in July and even saw a decent amount of ichi-gun action for the second half. He even earned a save in 16 games with a 0.59 ERA. If things go right, he could be a useful middle reliever. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Grade: B+</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>===</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: large;">Ikusei Round 5: Yoshinobu Mizukami (Shikoku Gakuin University, Kagawa)</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Named after former Yomiuri Giants player Yoshinobu Takahashi, Mizukami was born during the former's rookie season.</div><div><br /></div><div>Mizukami was the first ikusei from this class to earn a promotion during the 2021 season as a bright spot on a last place Lions team. He was able to build off of this and become an All Star and Rookie of the year for 2022 breaking plenty of glass ceilings for an ikusei. In a season where the Lions barely made A-class, Mizukami pitching in the 7th inning as a reliable setup man played a role in this.</div><div><br /></div><div>His pitching regressed in 2023 with lower velocity and fewer innings, but finished the year on the ichi-gun hoping to be ready for 2024. </div><div><br /></div><div>Even if his career is a flash in the pan, the Lions already found success with Mizukami.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Grade: A-</b></div><div><p></p><p>===</p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Overall: D+</b></span></p><p>This Lions class has a downward trend for their college players with a few out of high school who still have upside. It's possible Mameda and Mizukami could salvage a below average group, but only time will tell how these players age. </p><p>It already hurts Watanabe is on pace to be a bust.</p><p>===</p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="ja"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E5%9F%BC%E7%8E%89%E8%A5%BF%E6%AD%A6%E3%83%A9%E3%82%A4%E3%82%AA%E3%83%B3%E3%82%BA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#埼玉西武ライオンズ</a> 2020ドラフトクラスの採点方法を教えてください?<br /><br />What's your <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SeibuLions?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SeibuLions</a> 2020 Draft grade? <br /><br />拡散してください<br /> <a href="https://twitter.com/64Uni_Lions?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@64Uni_Lions</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/nerimamo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nerimamo</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E6%B8%A1%E9%83%A8%E5%81%A5%E4%BA%BA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#渡部健人</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E4%BD%90%E3%80%85%E6%9C%A8%E5%81%A5?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#佐々木健</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E5%B1%B1%E6%9D%91%E5%B4%87%E5%98%89?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#山村崇嘉</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E8%8B%A5%E6%9E%97%E6%A5%BD%E4%BA%BA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#若林楽人</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E5%A4%A7%E6%9B%B2%E9%8C%AC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#大曲錬</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E3%83%96%E3%83%A9%E3%83%B3%E3%83%89%E3%83%B3?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ブランドン</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E4%BB%B2%E4%B8%89%E6%B2%B3%E5%84%AA%E5%A4%AA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#仲三河優太</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E6%B0%B4%E4%B8%8A%E7%94%B1%E4%BC%B8?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#水上由伸</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E8%B5%A4%E4%B8%8A%E5%84%AA%E4%BA%BA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#赤上優人</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E9%95%B7%E8%B0%B7%E5%B7%9D%E4%BF%A1%E5%93%89?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#長谷川信哉</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E8%B1%86%E7%94%B0%E6%B3%B0%E5%BF%97?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#豆田泰志</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E3%82%B8%E3%83%A7%E3%82%BB%E3%83%95?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ジョセフ</a></p>— Graveyard Baseball (@GraveyardBall) <a href="https://twitter.com/GraveyardBall/status/1748959210686025934?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 21, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><p>===</p><div style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><b>Other drafts in series:</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><a href="https://graveyardbaseball.blogspot.com/2024/01/nine-seasons-later-grading-2014-seibu.html" style="color: blue; text-decoration-line: none;">2014</a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><a href="https://graveyardbaseball.blogspot.com/2024/01/eight-seasons-later-grading-seibu-lions.html" style="color: blue; font-size: 13.2px; text-decoration-line: none;">2015</a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><a href="https://graveyardbaseball.blogspot.com/2024/01/seven-seasons-later-grading-seibu-lions.html" style="color: blue; text-decoration-line: none;">2016</a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><a href="https://graveyardbaseball.blogspot.com/2024/01/six-seasons-later-grading-seibu-lions.html" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; text-decoration-line: none;">2017</a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><a href="https://graveyardbaseball.blogspot.com/2024/01/five-seasons-later-grading-2018-seibu.html">2018</a></div><p><a href="https://graveyardbaseball.blogspot.com/2024/01/four-seasons-later-grading-2019-seibu.html">2019</a></p><p><a href="https://graveyardbaseball.blogspot.com/2024/01/two-seasons-later-progress-report-on.html">2021</a></p><p>===</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">Follow us on X <a href="http://twitter.com/graveyardball" style="color: blue; text-decoration-line: none;">@GraveyardBall</a></p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8741953424210555772.post-5573989500938638992024-01-23T12:16:00.000-08:002024-01-26T15:59:42.384-08:00Four seasons later: Grading the 2019 Seibu Lions Draft <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEicHwTNJ5C9nZlUUSbwPtM5oJYj6mfGp32W-l-OCVuzKQV0l3QMkC9TEtrZcOi0X89ug9phg_AgL-2ALHHM9SohhwzNVq_QJzgVtM3Qkb6BWy1WJCBPq0pqAfHhAWQao7f_8-ciDBCdQTn9ZS-P5kylJ5-Jk-DFFQ_Xhl_LDS7La-ZpIXNJgU-Zh4vGOZs" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEicHwTNJ5C9nZlUUSbwPtM5oJYj6mfGp32W-l-OCVuzKQV0l3QMkC9TEtrZcOi0X89ug9phg_AgL-2ALHHM9SohhwzNVq_QJzgVtM3Qkb6BWy1WJCBPq0pqAfHhAWQao7f_8-ciDBCdQTn9ZS-P5kylJ5-Jk-DFFQ_Xhl_LDS7La-ZpIXNJgU-Zh4vGOZs=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>===</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;"><b>===<br /></b></span><p></p><div><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: large;"><b>First round: P Tetsu Miyagawa (Toshiba, Kanagawa)</b></span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: left;">The Lions attempted to go for Roki Sasaki with three other teams, but they zero control over the drawing as any representative would be the last to put their hand in the box. </div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: left;">As Tadahito Iguchi drew the winning ticket for the Chiba Lotte Marines, the Lions had to settle for plan B which Miyagawa's rights were contested with the Yomiuri Giants. </div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: left;">On the field, Miyagawa struggled to keep an ichi-gun job from location and more. He took a lot of low to medium leverage innings in 2020, but couldn't thrive off of it. His best year was in 2022 when the Lions had a loaded bullpen to take them into A-class.</div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: left;">In 2023, the Lions tried to use him as a spot starter where he had only one good outing. He was traded to the Yakult Swallows shortly after the Active Player Draft for Hiyu Motoyama. </div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: left;">With the Lions not finding a role for him as he enters his Age 29 season, it was best to cut their losses and move forward. It wouldn't be surprising if the Lions designated him as the second of two players required in the 2023 Active Player Draft. This is the price they pay for losing out on Sasaki's rights. </div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: left;"><b>Grade: D-</b></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: left;"><i>Hindsight: Hiroshima Carp took Masato Morishita unopposed. Orix took Hiroya Miyagi as their third choice. Rakuten took Hiroto Kobukata as their second choice. </i></div><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.2px;">===</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: large;"><b>Second round: P Shota Hamaya (Mitsubishi Hitachi, Kanagawa)</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div>Drafting at the end, the Lions took a shakaijin with the hopes Hamaya could help right away. </div><div><br /></div><div>He got a taste of action in 2020 and 2021 as a reliever and spot starter, but failed to take the next step. Hamaya has been buried in ni-gun for the last two seasons, one of which where he came off surgery. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Grade: F</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><i>Hindsight: Lions were the last pick of this round and couldn't take anyone, but Orix ended up with Kotaro Kurebayashi. </i><br style="background-color: white;" /><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.2px;">===</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: large;"><b>Third round: P Koki Matsuoka (Saitama Musashi Heat Bears, Saitama)<br /></b></span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;" />The Lions reached into the independent BC League for their third round pick. Matsuoka saw a taste of ichi-gun action in 2020 and 2021 in mop up duty, but couldn't earn more time. </div><div><br /></div><div>At the conclusion of the 2022 season, he was selected by the Fighters in the inaugural Active Player Draft and failed to play an ichi-gun game in 2023. After staying in ni-gun for the entire year, he's currently under an ikusei contract with the Fighters. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Grade: F</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><i>Hindsight: Marines took Akito Takabe</i><br style="background-color: white;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.2px;">===</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: large;"><b>Fourth Round: IF Ryota Kawano (Kyushu Gakuin, Kumamoto)</b></span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;" /><br />Kawano has only played five ichi-gun games in 2022. He has one sacrifice fly and one base hit to his name.</div><div><br /></div><div>With only 41 ni-gun games in 2023, time could be running out with the Lions taking a infielder in the most recent draft. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Grade: D</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><i>Hindsight: Lions were drafting at the end of this round. Swallows took Hiroki Ohnishi. </i></div><div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.2px;">===</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: large;"><b>Fifth Round: C Sena Tsuge (Honda Suzuki, Mie)</b></span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;" /><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: center;"><br /></div>The Lions again went the shakaijin route and has Tsuge lined up with the possibility of losing Tomoya Mori in the future. </div><div><br /></div><div>Tsuge is a solid backup catcher when you value his defense. However, he lost the starting job to someone younger. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Grade: C+</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><i>Hindsight: Dragons took Yuki Okabayashi</i></div><div><i><br /></i><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">===</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Sixth round: P Hiroki Inoue </b></span><b><span style="font-size: large;">(Nichidaisan, Tokyo)</span></b></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.2px;">Inoue was thought to have upside for his fastball and high velocity. He earned four games at ichi-gun in 2021, but never made an appearance since. </span></span></div><div><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;">Poor performance in 24 ni-gun games for 2023 has dropped him to Ikusei status</span>.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Grade: D-</b></div><div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">===</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>P Towa Uema (Tokushima Indigo Socks, Tokushima) </b></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><span>Uema made his debut in 2021 as a necessity due to no foreign pitchers on the roster at the start of the season. He earned one win and appeared in five games total with spot starts included.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;">However, Uema has surgery on his elbow after the season and has remained an ikusei pitcher since 2022. The Lions were forced to senryokugai him after 2023, but he is still an ikusei entering 2024. </div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><b>Grade: D</b></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">===</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>IF/OF Junichiro Kishi </b></span><b><span style="font-size: large;">(Tokushima Indigo Socks, Tokushima)</span></b></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>With the team having a lack of depth in the outfield, Kishi was a starting outfielder in 2021 with 100 games and 80 of them being starts, earning his own ouenka song. </div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">However, his bat is not enough to be an everyday player and he was used in rotation for 2022-2023. He's decent enough as depth, but given he was much older coming in out of the Shikoku Island League, there is no upside.</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><b>Grade: C</b></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><br />===<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>P Toshihiro Idei (Kanagawa University, Kanagawa) </b></span><br /><br />Drafted for his athleticism, Idei never earned a promotion to the 70-man roster and was given a fourth year for a chance at redemption in 2023. The Lions officially put him on senryokugai one last time and he remains with the team as a farm staff member for batting practice and scorekeeping. </div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><b>Grade: Incomplete</b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>===<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Overall: F</b></span><br /><br />This is a class you don't want to look at. The Lions came in last place for 2021, a first since 1979, their inaugural season in Tokorozawa moving from Fukuoka. Much of it had to do with this class failing to support with their shakaijin draft picks. Even Miyagawa faltered in games and stayed in ni-gun that year, where they finished in last by one game. </div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">When Kishi and Tsuge are the best players in this group, it's awful. </div></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">===</div>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="ja"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E5%9F%BC%E7%8E%89%E8%A5%BF%E6%AD%A6%E3%83%A9%E3%82%A4%E3%82%AA%E3%83%B3%E3%82%BA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#埼玉西武ライオンズ</a> 2019ドラフトクラスの採点方法を教えてください?<br /><br />How do you grade the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SeibuLions?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SeibuLions</a> 2019 Draft? <br /><br />拡散してください<a href="https://twitter.com/Cape_Lions?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Cape_Lions</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/64Uni_Lions?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@64Uni_Lions</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/nerimamo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nerimamo</a><br /><br /> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NPBeng?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NPBeng</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E5%AE%AE%E5%B7%9D%E5%93%B2?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#宮川哲</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E6%B5%9C%E5%B1%8B%E5%B0%86%E5%A4%AA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#浜屋将太</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E6%9D%BE%E5%B2%A1%E6%B4%B8%E5%B8%8C?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#松岡洸希</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E5%B7%9D%E9%87%8E%E6%B6%BC%E5%A4%9A?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#川野涼多</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E6%9F%98%E6%A4%8D%E4%B8%96%E9%82%A3?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#柘植世那</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E4%BA%95%E4%B8%8A%E5%BA%83%E8%BC%9D?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#井上広輝</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E4%B8%8A%E9%96%93%E6%B0%B8%E9%81%A0?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#上間永遠</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E5%B2%B8%E6%BD%A4%E4%B8%80%E9%83%8E?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#岸潤一郎</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E5%87%BA%E4%BA%95%E6%95%8F%E5%8D%9A?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#出井敏博</a></p>— Graveyard Baseball (@GraveyardBall) <a href="https://twitter.com/GraveyardBall/status/1747906140686483809?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 18, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><p style="font-size: 13.2px;">===</p><div style="font-size: 13.2px;"><b>Other drafts in series:</b></div><div style="font-size: 13.2px;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="font-size: 13.2px;"><a href="https://graveyardbaseball.blogspot.com/2024/01/nine-seasons-later-grading-2014-seibu.html" style="color: blue; text-decoration-line: none;">2014</a></div><div style="font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: 13.2px;"><a href="https://graveyardbaseball.blogspot.com/2024/01/eight-seasons-later-grading-seibu-lions.html" style="color: blue; font-size: 13.2px; text-decoration-line: none;">2015</a></div><div style="font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: 13.2px;"><a href="https://graveyardbaseball.blogspot.com/2024/01/seven-seasons-later-grading-seibu-lions.html" style="color: blue; text-decoration-line: none;">2016</a></div><div style="font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: 13.2px;"><a href="https://graveyardbaseball.blogspot.com/2024/01/six-seasons-later-grading-seibu-lions.html" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; text-decoration-line: none;">2017</a></div><div style="font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: 13.2px;"><a href="https://graveyardbaseball.blogspot.com/2024/01/five-seasons-later-grading-2018-seibu.html">2018</a></div><div style="font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: 13.2px;"><a href="https://graveyardbaseball.blogspot.com/2024/01/three-seasons-later-grading-2020-seibu.html">2020</a></div><div style="font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: 13.2px;"><a href="https://graveyardbaseball.blogspot.com/2024/01/two-seasons-later-progress-report-on.html" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;">2021</a></div><div style="font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: 13.2px;">===</div><p style="font-size: 13.2px;">Follow us on X <a href="http://twitter.com/graveyardball" style="color: blue; text-decoration-line: none;">@GraveyardBall</a></p></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8741953424210555772.post-54217777089241218502024-01-20T01:15:00.000-08:002024-01-20T01:15:30.003-08:002024 Seibu Lions salary list<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOQKVr1DiJOkfdIcXMpqY8AqBi5-mDMXApRbcgH_yzOP2mJvKwGLdgm94MkNv91huRloHO0TnhOv2yBUeRwo76EiLyABOxOsWcICuw7ERf2S6jAgAwCcVFHREvHKHq_sxyZrEYBL4QIM4SIBzt7qyB2NE3VtVPubY9yilPEwbA_wt0cM8KAXcQfUzpITo/s2048/20231209_163310.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOQKVr1DiJOkfdIcXMpqY8AqBi5-mDMXApRbcgH_yzOP2mJvKwGLdgm94MkNv91huRloHO0TnhOv2yBUeRwo76EiLyABOxOsWcICuw7ERf2S6jAgAwCcVFHREvHKHq_sxyZrEYBL4QIM4SIBzt7qyB2NE3VtVPubY9yilPEwbA_wt0cM8KAXcQfUzpITo/w400-h266/20231209_163310.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>===</p><p>In November and December of 2023, the Saitama Seibu Lions and all other NPB teams did their salary negotiations with all players for the following season. </p><p><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.2px;">Here are the reported figures for the 2024 Seibu Lions: </span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;">Legend: </span></p><p><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.2px;">^ - Raise from 2023</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.2px;">|v| - Paycut from 2023</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.2px;">= - Same wages</span><br /></p><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></div><div><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.2px;">AVG/OBP/SLG for position players. </span></span><br /><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.2px;"> </span></span><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">===</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Pitchers: </b></span></p><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">Kona Takahashi: ¥165 million, ^ by ¥85<span style="font-size: 13.2px;"> million</span><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">; (10-8), 2.21 ERA in 23 games, 155 innings</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">Kaima Taira: ¥250 million ^ by ¥80 million; (11-7), 2.40 ERA, in 23 games, 150 innings</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">Tatsushi Masuda: ¥240 million |v| by ¥60 million; (4-4), 19 saves, 5.45 ERA in 40 games, 44 innings </div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><i>Masuda is in the final year of a four-year contract </i></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">Katsunori Hirai: </span><span style="font-size: 13.2px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">¥90 million ^ by ¥10 million; (4-3), 28 holds, 2.55 ERA in 54 games, 53 innings </span><span style="font-size: 13.2px;"> (signed multi-year contract to return)</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">Tatsuya Imai: ¥80 million, ^ by ¥35 million, (10-5), 2.30 ERA in 19 games, 133 innings</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">Wataru Matsumoto: ¥58 million, |v| by ¥7 million, (6-8), 3.47 ERA in 20 games, 116.2 innings</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">Chihiro Sumida: </span><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">¥40 million, ^ by </span><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">¥20 million; (9-10), 3.44 ERA in 22 games, 131 innings</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">Yoshinobu Mizukami: ¥33 million |v| by ¥7 million, (0-2), 2.12 ERA, 5 HLD, 1 SV in 23 games, 17 innings</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">Kaito Yoza: ¥30 million |v| by ¥3 million (2-6), 3.69 ERA in 15 games, 83 innings</span><span style="font-size: 13.2px;"> </span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">Shunsuke Sato: </span><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">¥30 million ^ by </span><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">¥14 million; (1-2), 2.50 ERA, 18 HLD in 48 games, 39.2 innings</span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">Keisuke Honda: ¥27 million [v] by ¥3 million; (0-1), 2 HLD, 1.56 ERA in 25 games, 34.2 innings</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;">Minato Aoyama: ¥14 million, ^ by ¥4 million, (0-1), 3 SV, 2.96 ERA in 39 games, 45.2 innings</span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">Ichiro Tamura: ¥13 million ^ by ¥3 million; (2-1), 6 HLD, 1 SV, 1.52 ERA in 24 games, 23.2 innings</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">Yutaro Watanabe: ¥8.2 million [v] by </span><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">¥300 million</span><span style="font-size: 13.2px;"> ; (1-0), 0.82 ERA in 2 games, 11 innings</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">Ren Omagari: ¥8.2 million ^ by </span><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">¥200K</span><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">; (0-0), 5.40 ERA in 10 games, 10 innings</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">Shota Hamaya: ¥7.5 million [v] by ¥2.5 million; (7-6), 4.68 ERA in 17 ni-gun games</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">Taishi Mameda: ¥7.5 million ^ by </span><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">¥2.8 million</span><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">; (0-0), 1 SV, 6 HLD, 0.59 ERA in 16 games, 15.1 innings</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><div>Haruto Yamada: ¥7 million, =; (0-0), 5.87 ERA in three ni-gun games</div></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">Masaya Kuroda: </span><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">¥6.5 million =; (3-3), 3.93 ERA in 13 ni-gun games</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">Shinnosuke Hada: </span><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">¥6 million =; (1-2), 2.15 ERA in eight ni-gun games</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">Yuto Akagami: ¥4.7 million =; (0-0), 0.00 ERA in one ni-gun game</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">Hiroshi Kaino: ¥40 million ^ by ¥4 million; (3-1), 2 SV, 8 HLD, 2.53 ERA in 46 games, 42.2 innings with Softbank Hawks</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">Yuta Nakamura: ¥10 million, (0-0), 1.29 ERA in five games with Hiroshima Carp </span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">Albert Abreu: ¥150 million - 45 games with New York Yankees in MLB</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">Bo Takahashi: Unreported (Made ¥35 million in 2023), (0-1), 3.00 ERA in 28 games, 36 innings</div></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">Jefry Yan: ¥75 million - 6 games with Miami Marlins affiliate in AAA</div><div><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">===</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Infielders:</b></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">Sosuke Genda: ¥300 million =; .257/.307/.300, 0 HR in 100 games</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;"><i>Genda signed a five-year extension through 2027</i></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">Takeya Nakamura: ¥150 million |v| by ¥50 million; .258/.389/.481, 17 HR in 88 games</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">Shuta Tonosaki: ¥160 million =; .260/.338/.400, 12 HR in 136 games</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;"><i>Tonosaki signed a four-year contract through 2026</i></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">Ryusei Sato: ¥22 million ^ by ¥11 million; .263/.390/.378, 3 HR in 91 games</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">Shota Hiranuma: </span><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">¥19 million ^ by </span><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">¥4 million</span><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">; .245/.284/.363, 2 HR in 67 games </span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">Naomasa Yohkawa: ¥18 million |v| by ¥4 million; .167/.286/.292, 1 HR in nine games</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">Kento Watanabe: ¥16 million ^ by </span><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">¥4 million</span><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">; .214/.273/.375, 6 HR in 57 games </span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">Ryosuke Kodama ¥13 million ^ by ¥3.5 million; .221/.244/.279, 0 HR in 56 games</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">Wataru Takamatsu: ¥10.6 million =; .000/.000/.000 in 2 games</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><i>Takamatsu was acquired in mid season trade with Chunichi Dragons for Seiji Kawagoe</i></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><i>Kakeru Yamanobe: ¥9.7 million [v] by ¥1 million ; .205/.319/.295, 0 HR in 35 games</i></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">Takayoshi Yamamura: ¥8 million ^ by ¥1 million; .286/.333/.714, 2 HR in four games</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">Natsuo Takizawa: ¥7.3 million |v| by ¥200K; .188/.188/.375, 1 HR in 16 games</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">Ryota Kawano: ¥6.5 million |v| by ¥1 million; .182/.258/.300, 3 HR in 41 ni-gun games</span></p></div><div><br /></div><div>Jesus Aguilar: ¥210 million - 36 games with Oakland A's in MLB <br /><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">===</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Outfielders: </b></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">Takumi Kuriyama: ¥108 million |v| by ¥71 million; .217/.346/.376, 7 HR in 77 games</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">Yuji Kaneko: ¥70 million =; .179/.222/.226, 0 HR in 47 games</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">Shohei Suzuki: ¥23 million ^ by ¥8 million; .240/.286/.289, 0 HR in 72 games</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">Junichiro Kishi: ¥16.</span>5 million ^ by ¥2 million ; .209/.269/.288, 3 HR in 61 games</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">Takuya Hiruma: ¥16 million ^ by ¥6 million; .232/.280/.293, 2 HR in 56 games</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">Seiji Kawagoe: ¥14 million ^ by ¥2 million ; .259/.346/.381, 2 HR in 50 games</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">Gakuto Wakabayashi: ¥12.2 million =; .244/.261/.356, 1 HR in 36 games </span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">Manaya Nishikawa: ¥11 million ^ by ¥3 million ; .227/.269/.299, 1 HR in 41 games</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">Wataru Takagi: ¥7 million |v| by ¥500K ; .158/.158/.158, 0 HR in five games</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">Shinya Hasegawa: ¥11 million ^ by </span><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">¥4.3 million; </span><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">.222/.276/.339, 4 HR in 59 games</span> </p><br />Yudai Furukawa: ¥7.5 million =; .000/.000/.000 in one ni-gun game</div><div><br /></div><div>Franchy Cordero: ¥100 million - 24 games with New York Yankees in MLB<br /><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">===</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Catchers: </b></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">Yuto Koga: ¥28 million ^ by ¥13 million; .218/.294/.301, 2 HR in 100 games</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">Sena Tsuge: ¥22 million ^ by ¥2 million; .184/.214/.216, 0 HR in 59 games</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">Masatoshi Okada: ¥10 million |v| by ¥20 million; No games registered coming off surgery</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span>Takeru Furuichi: </span><span>¥7 million ^ by ¥2.3 million; .160/.208/.160, 0 HR in 29 games, earned promotion from ikusei </span></p>Kaito Noda: ¥6.5 million =; .121/.151/.121, 0 HR in 15 ni-gun games<p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">===</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">===</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Ikusei: </b></span></p><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">Towa Uema: </span><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">¥5 million =;</span><span style="font-size: 13.2px;"> (1-2), 9.95 ERA in three ni-gun games</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">Ryosuke Moriwaki: ¥36</span> million |v| by ¥4 million, (2-1), 12 HLD, 1.95 ERA, 3 SV in 31 games, 27.2 innings</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;"><i>Moriwaki will miss the 2024 season coming off an artery surgery. </i></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">Takeru Sasaki: ¥20 million =; (0-1), 0.87 ERA, 4 HLD in 21 games, 20.2 innings</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;"><i>Sasaki dropped to Ikusei status</i></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">Hiroki Inoue: ¥5 million [v] by </span><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">¥400K, </span><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">(1-1), 4.62 ERA in 24 ni-gun games</span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;"><i>Inoue dropped to Ikusei status </i></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">Brandon Tysinger: ¥6 million [v] by ¥1 million ; .270/.318/.402, 4 HR in 37 ni-gun games </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;"><i>Brandon dropped to Ikusei status</i></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">Shoya Makino: ¥6.6 million |v| by ¥800K ; .221/.276/.326, 2 HR in 42 ni-gun games</span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;"><i>Makino dropped to Ikusei status and is recovering from surgery. </i></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">Sho Ito: </span><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">¥5 million [v] by </span><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">¥300K; (2-0), 3.76 ERA in 30 ni-gun games</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">Yuta Nakamigawa: ¥5.5 million |v| by ¥500K; .345/.424/.517, 1 HR in 11 ni-gun games</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;"><i>Nakamigawa dropped to Ikusei status </i></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">Kaito Awatsu: <span style="font-size: 13.2px;">¥5 million </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 13.2px;">[v] by </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 13.2px;">¥300K;</span><span style="font-size: 13.2px;"> (2-3), 1.95 ERA in 30 ni-gun games</span><span style="font-size: 13.2px;"> </span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">Hiromasa Saito: </span><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">¥4.7 million [v] by </span><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">¥300K; (3-4), 2.70 ERA in 40 ni-gun games</span></div><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">Shinya Sugai: </span><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">¥2.8 million =; (4-2), 3.12 ERA in 15 ni-gun games</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;"></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">Joseph Ken Miyamoto: ¥4 million =; .172/.241/.250, 0 HR in 22 ni-gun games </p>Kazuki Nomura ¥3.2 million =; .071/.071/.071, 0 HR in 4 ni-gun games <br /><br />Montell Higuma ¥4 million =; .277/.292/.362, 1 HR in 21 ni-gun games<br /><br />Daiki Miura ¥4 million =; (1-1), 6.06 ERA in 13 <span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.2px;">ni-gun games</span><br /><br />Ryosuke Koresawa ¥4 million =; .207/.258/.362, 2 HR in 26 ni-gun games<div><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;" /></div><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">=== </p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>2023 Draft picks with uniform numbers listed:</b></span></p><div><b>Main Draft</b></div><div><br /></div></div>1. (#21) LHP Natsuki Takeuchi: ¥16 million + ¥100 million signing bonus + up to ¥50 million in incentives <div><br /></div><div>2. (#11) RHP Taiga Ueda: ¥12.5 million + ¥70 million signing bonus</div><div><br /></div><div>3. (#47) LHP Haruki Sugiyama: ¥7 million + ¥50 million signing bonus</div><div><br /></div><div>4. (#41) RHP Harusei Narita: ¥6.5 million + ¥40 million signing bonus</div><div><br /></div><div>5. (#56) RHP Taisei Miyazawa: ¥9 million + ¥30 million signing bonus</div><div><br /></div><div>6. (#99) IF Leon Murata: ¥7 million + ¥30 million signing bonus</div><div><br /></div><div>7. (#23) RHP Ryota Itogawa: ¥9.5 million + ¥20 million signing bonus</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Ikusei Draft</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>1. (#125) LHP Joseph Konosuke Sinclair: ¥4 million + ¥3.5 million signing bonus</div><div><br /></div><div>2. (#126) RHP Asahi Taniguchi: ¥2.8 million + ¥3.5 million signing bonus</div><div><br /></div><div>3. (#129) LHP Masahiro Kawashimi: ¥2.8 million + ¥3.5 million signing bonus</div><div><br /></div><div>4. (#130) IF Koji Kaneko: ¥3.2 million + ¥3.5 million signing bonus</div><div><br /></div><div>5. (#131) RHP Shota Kise: ¥2.8 million + ¥3.5 million signing bonus</div><div><br /></div><div>6. (#132) OF Koichi Okumura: ¥4 million + ¥3.5 million signing bonus</div><div><br /></div><div><div><i>Keep in mind education affects salary. Someone with a college education or from the industrial leagues as a shakaijin will have a higher salary than someone out of high school unless they're a first round draft pick. </i></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">===</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><i>Follow us on Twitter <a href="https://graveyardbaseball.blogspot.com/2020/11/twitter.com/graveyardball" style="color: blue; text-decoration-line: none;">@GraveyardBall</a></i></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8741953424210555772.post-31266884274965393712024-01-18T12:19:00.000-08:002024-01-26T15:59:30.033-08:00Five Seasons later: Grading the 2018 Seibu Lions Draft Class<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi2c0cJbSgrPy4ibyl7YOpqAF2RDVeWltbTRFptzc_jO6kxjVZCh6ayDspQq_ENp02d2wIpPqDKQapXa8VCZmE732P3rHtzPPaIc9X5uSS5p_g2PRb5aMRqGCiLJJcP3HHGwKFlmECVwET9H82lAy-AEBtWEo13Hr5LiUgewb2ywZvF6EeiLaxcyoV1eM4" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="855" data-original-width="1280" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi2c0cJbSgrPy4ibyl7YOpqAF2RDVeWltbTRFptzc_jO6kxjVZCh6ayDspQq_ENp02d2wIpPqDKQapXa8VCZmE732P3rHtzPPaIc9X5uSS5p_g2PRb5aMRqGCiLJJcP3HHGwKFlmECVwET9H82lAy-AEBtWEo13Hr5LiUgewb2ywZvF6EeiLaxcyoV1eM4=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>===<div><br /></div><div>The Lions came off a pennant winning season, putting them at the end of a draft and not having the same access to a drawing if it came down to one. What tactics did they go with?<br /><p></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;">===</span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="verdana, geneva, sans-serif"><b>First round: P Wataru Matsumoto (Nittai University, Tokyo)</b></span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="verdana, geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;">The Lions were the only team to take a college player in opening part of the first round for the draft. All 11 other teams had opposition to their picks while the Lions scooped one of the top pitchers available for the short term. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">Matsumoto has been a rotation starter since being drafted and has reached at least 100 innings in each season since 2020. He's not an ace, but a dependable mid rotation starter. Many thought he was a safe pick and if anything, he has a high floor in spite of a low ceiling. </p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><b>Grade: B+ </b></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><b style="font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></b><span face="verdana, geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"></span><i style="font-size: 13.2px;">Hindsight: The Tigers took Koji Chikamoto, Hawks took Hiroshi Kaino, Swallows took Noboru Shimizu</i><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><b style="font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></b><span face="verdana, geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"></span><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">===</b><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><b style="font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></b><span face="verdana, geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"></span><b style="font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Second round: P Yutaro Watanabe (Urawa Gakuin HS, Saitama)</span></b><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="verdana, geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;">Watanabe made his ichi-gun debut in 2021 and showed good promise as a starter. He was thought to be a first round draft pick if the Lions lost out on the rights to Matsumoto. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span face="verdana, geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;">His playing time was limited in the next two seasons, but he ended 2023 as a spot starter showing some promise in those outings. The next two years will be make or break for Watanabe as he enters his age 24-25 seasons. Can he be a rotation regular? Time will tell. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span face="verdana, geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"> </span><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">Grade: B</b><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><b style="font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></b><span face="verdana, geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"></span><i style="font-size: 13.2px;">Hindsight: None (Lions were drafting at the end of this round)</i><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><b style="font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></b><span face="verdana, geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"></span><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">===</b><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><b style="font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></b><span face="verdana, geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"></span><b style="font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Third round: IF Kakeru Yamanobe (Mitsubishi Motors Okazaki, Aichi)</span></b><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="verdana, geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;">Yamanobe was hoping to continue the trend of a position player being taken in the third round in an even-numbered year as compared to his senpai (Hideto Asamura, Shogo Akiyama, Yuji Kaneko, Shuta Tonosaki, Sosuke Genda). This shakaijin failed to make an early impact in his first professional year with only one base hit in nine games. </span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="verdana, geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></span><span face="verdana, geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;">The Lions were hoping he could be insurance with the loss of Asamura in free agency. However, his poor hitting forces him to be replacement player at best. He's only on the roster for depth reasons. </span><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">Grade: D-</b></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><i>Hindsight: Marines took Kazuya Ojima, Baystars took Shinichi Ohnuki, Tigers took Seiya Kinami</i><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><b style="font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></b><span face="verdana, geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"></span><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">===</b><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><b style="font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></b><span face="verdana, geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"></span><b style="font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Fourth round: P Kaito Awatsu (Higashi Nihon Kokusai, Fukushima)</span></b><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="verdana, geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;">Awatsu was a college pitcher who was inspired to pitch in a similar manner to Tetsuya Shiozaki, who is currently working in the Lions front office. He was a regular reliever in ni-gun with a 4.56 ERA in 32 games. Awatsu made his ichi-gun debut in a game I attended against the Yomiuri Giants in garbage time, allowing two runs in two innings. It was his only career ichi-gun action up to this point. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span face="verdana, geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;">He was unable to play another ichi-gun game with an injury in 2021. Since 2022, the Lions currently have him under an ikusei contract. </span><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">Grade: F</b></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;"><i>Hindsight: None (Lions drafted at the end of this round)</i></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;"><i><br /></i></span><span face="verdana, geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"></span><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">===</b><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><b style="font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></b><span face="verdana, geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"></span><b style="font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Fifth Round: C Shoya Makino (</span></b><b style="font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Yugakkankoto HS</span></b><b style="font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">, Ishikawa)</span></b><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="verdana, geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;">Makino made his debut in 2022 with 11 ichi-gun games. However, he has Tommy John surgery to sideline, which led to a lengthy amount of time off and he's been under an ikusei contract since 2023. </span><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">Grade: Incomplete</b></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><i>Hindsight: Orix took Sho Gibo. </i><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><b style="font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></b><span face="verdana, geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"></span><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">===</b><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><b style="font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></b><span face="verdana, geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"></span><b style="font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Sixth Round: P Ryosuke Moriwaki (Sega Sammy, Tokyo)</span></b><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="verdana, geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;">Moriwaki saw ichi-gun time in the first half of the 2019 as a reliever, but he couldn't hold his position as a 7th inning setup man. In an up and down year, he is most remembered for starting a bean war with the Orix Buffaloes as he hit a few batters. This includes a bases-loaded HBP which drew an Orix coach to make contact with him. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">Moriwaki has been a reliable setup reliever since 2020 where 2021 was his only down season. When the Lions need relief for the 5th to 7th innings as a bridge to the 8th, Moriwaki was called upon and delivered more times than not. </p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">Unfortunately, he will be sidelined for all of 2024 with a Brachial Artery patch surgery. The Lions designated him to an ikusei contract as he recovers. </p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">Grade: B+</b></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><i>Hindsight: None (Lions drafted near the end)</i><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="verdana, geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"></span><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">===</b><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><b style="font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"></span><b style="font-size: large;">Seventh round: IF Ryusei Sato (Fuji University, Iwate)</b><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;">Sato was the only rookie to make the Opening Day roster and was at the ichi-gun for most of the 2019 season. He spent his first year on the bench, playing mostly 3B as a defensive replacement, but excelled when given the chance. Sato even had a few timely hits in his young career. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"> It all blew up when he was caught breaking team COVID rules by going golfing with Makoto Aiuchi and speeding as a driver. He lost his place and fell out of favor, prompting a trade with the Fighters which brought Shota Hiranuma and Katsuhiko Kumon in return. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">With the Fighters, his biggest highlight was <a href="https://youtu.be/M4BMUze-KVQ?si=T3LjRNJNYSf8nj2i">denying a no-hitter to Orix pitcher Ren Mukunoki, who was one strike away</a>. With controversy with Haruka Yamada's wife <a href="http://girlsreport.net/archives/47703004.html">slandering</a> Sosuke Genda's family, the Lions traded him to the Fighters to bring Sato back with the team.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">Sato saw the most ichi-gun time in his return season of 2023 showing the promise he he once held in 2019. His <a href="https://youtu.be/EAlvBcL_G78?si=jHwxIB24Yo9MZDVM">timely hit knocked the Rakuten Eagles</a> out of the postseason and nearly won the player of the month award for reaching base nearly every game in September. </p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">Kumon was solid depth in 2022, before he was senryokugai in 2023 while Hiranuma is a decent bench player. With Sato as a trade piece getting other contributions while also dumping deadweight in Kimura and Yamada, this is a win for the Lions. The Lions even got to cash in on Kimura's <a href="https://youtu.be/cIxNqp4XuUQ?si=g64DzJrKyGJsPg2x">retirement game in Tokorozawa</a>. If Sato can earn an ichi-gun regular role for the next few years at 3B, it's icing on the cake. <span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif"> </span><b>Grade: B+</b></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span><i>Hindsight: Orix took Keita Nakagawa</i></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"></span><b style="font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">===</span></b></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b><b style="font-size: large;">Ikusei 1: P Aoi Tono (Nikkei University, Fukuoka)</b><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="verdana, geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;">Tono lived up to the billing of an ikusei pick early on. However, a career-ending injury to his ligament forced him to retire. He left the team in April of 2021. </span><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">Grade: Incomplete</b><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><b style="font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></b><span face="verdana, geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"></span><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">===</b><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><b style="font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></b><span face="verdana, geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"></span><b style="font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ikusei 2: P Jiyu Okubo (Hokkai HS, Hokkaido)</span></b><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="verdana, geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">Okubo was picked for his size and possible upside regarding a high school pitcher. He was unable to earn a promotion as he struggled during the 2021 season with the independent BC League's Saitama Musashi Heat Bears. Okubo was a senryokugai at the conclusion of the 2021 season. <b>Grade: Incomplete</b></span></span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="verdana, geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;"><b><br /></b></span></span><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"></span><span face="verdana, geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"></span><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">===</b><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><b style="font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"></span><b style="font-size: large;">Ikusei 3: C Daichi Nakaguma (Tokuyama University, Yamaguchi)</b><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;">Nakaguma earned a promotion to the 70-man roster in 2022 and made his debut in a July game with one at-bat as a defensive replacement. However, he couldn't earn more ichi-gun playing time in favor of Yuta Koga and Sena Tsuge when Tomoya Mori left in free agency.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">The Lions designated Nakaguma as a senryokugai at the conclusion of the 2023 season and he was forced to retire from playing. </span><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">Grade: Incomplete</b><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><b style="font-size: large;"><br /></b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"></span><b style="font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">===</span></b></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span face="verdana, geneva, sans-serif"><b>Overall:</b></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;">If you're hitting on your first two picks, the rest can be ignored and Moriwaki staying at the ichi-gun is a success in finding three regulars. Can Watanabe earn ichi-gun playing time? Matsumoto ended up being a safe, but reliable pick while it's even possible for Sato to become a late bloomer. There's enough success in this class to give it a positive grade even if there are no stars. </span><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">Grade: B+</b></p><div><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">===</p><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><b>Other drafts in series:</b></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><a href="https://graveyardbaseball.blogspot.com/2024/01/nine-seasons-later-grading-2014-seibu.html" style="color: blue; text-decoration-line: none;">2014</a></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><a href="https://graveyardbaseball.blogspot.com/2024/01/eight-seasons-later-grading-seibu-lions.html" style="color: blue; font-size: 13.2px; text-decoration-line: none;">2015</a></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><a href="https://graveyardbaseball.blogspot.com/2024/01/seven-seasons-later-grading-seibu-lions.html" style="color: blue; text-decoration-line: none;">2016</a></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><a href="https://graveyardbaseball.blogspot.com/2024/01/six-seasons-later-grading-seibu-lions.html" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; text-decoration-line: none;">2017</a></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><a href="https://graveyardbaseball.blogspot.com/2024/01/four-seasons-later-grading-2019-seibu.html" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;">2019</a></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><a href="https://graveyardbaseball.blogspot.com/2024/01/three-seasons-later-grading-2020-seibu.html">2020</a></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><a href="https://graveyardbaseball.blogspot.com/2024/01/two-seasons-later-progress-report-on.html" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;">2021</a></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">===</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></div>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="ja"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E5%9F%BC%E7%8E%89%E8%A5%BF%E6%AD%A6%E3%83%A9%E3%82%A4%E3%82%AA%E3%83%B3%E3%82%BA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#埼玉西武ライオンズ</a> 2018ドラフトクラスの採点方法を教えてください?<br /><br />How do you grade the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SeibuLions?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SeibuLions</a> 2018 Draft? <br /><br />拡散してください<a href="https://twitter.com/Cape_Lions?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Cape_Lions</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/64Uni_Lions?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@64Uni_Lions</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/nerimamo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nerimamo</a><br /><br /> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NPBeng?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NPBeng</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E6%9D%BE%E6%9C%AC%E8%88%AA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#松本航</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E6%B8%A1%E9%82%89%E5%8B%87%E5%A4%AA%E6%9C%97?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#渡邉勇太朗</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E5%B1%B1%E9%87%8E%E8%BE%BA%E7%BF%94?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#山野辺翔</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E7%B2%9F%E6%B4%A5%E5%87%B1%E5%A3%AB?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#粟津凱士</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E7%89%A7%E9%87%8E%E7%BF%94%E7%9F%A2?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#牧野翔矢</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E6%A3%AE%E8%84%87%E4%BA%AE%E4%BB%8B?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#森脇亮介</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E4%BD%90%E8%97%A4%E9%BE%8D%E4%B8%96?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#佐藤龍世</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E6%9D%B1%E9%87%8E%E8%91%B5?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#東野葵</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E5%A4%A7%E7%AA%AA%E5%A3%AB%E5%A4%A2?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#大窪士夢</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E4%B8%AD%E7%86%8A%E5%A4%A7%E6%99%BA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#中熊大智</a></p>— Graveyard Baseball (@GraveyardBall) <a href="https://twitter.com/GraveyardBall/status/1747456242958631119?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 17, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">===</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">Follow us on X <a href="http://twitter.com/graveyardball" style="color: blue; text-decoration-line: none;">@GraveyardBall</a></p></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8741953424210555772.post-14036017055898785342024-01-16T12:06:00.000-08:002024-01-26T15:59:17.876-08:00Six seasons later: Grading the Seibu Lions 2017 Draft class<p> </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjiGXeqpxfGJpV8_C0Rl-aMzgGX7PjTgH7ADN4rnGni2VkaY29ZFUXXBgFGVsaK4fchKvywSNjq-VPILXjZiz5Oq7p_jxJqsNpP2xj85_Gp_fj6Ji_KmE3qwAmeluFWTskrGk6k8JSmc3mWrqxkYeEAw6DDGfKfxDqMD2cpHOBpFVngzV5jDuzbH0KcNJk" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjiGXeqpxfGJpV8_C0Rl-aMzgGX7PjTgH7ADN4rnGni2VkaY29ZFUXXBgFGVsaK4fchKvywSNjq-VPILXjZiz5Oq7p_jxJqsNpP2xj85_Gp_fj6Ji_KmE3qwAmeluFWTskrGk6k8JSmc3mWrqxkYeEAw6DDGfKfxDqMD2cpHOBpFVngzV5jDuzbH0KcNJk=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;">Coming off their first A-class season in four years, the Saitama Seibu Lions entered the draft with different expectations this time around. There was a hyped up Kotaro Kiyomiya that would draw a big crowd, but the Lions took a different path. Here's how things have looked after four seasons for the 2017 draft class:</span><i style="font-size: 13.2px;"> </i><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><b>First round: P Hiromasa Saito (Meiji University, Tokyo)</b></span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;">The Lions tried going for shakaijin pitcher Daiki Tajima, but lost the drawing to the Orix Buffaloes. Saito ended up being their fallback option. There was an emphasis for a left handed pitcher as Saito likely wasn't the best talent available after the first round opening. He was a huge disappoint through two years. After getting his feet wet in 2018 as a long relief swingman, his ichi-gun time diminished with a scheduled split start to take three innings and a few bullpen appearances.</span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;">He failed to make any impact at the ichi-gun level despite his success in Australia. He's currently under an ikusei contract. </span><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">Grade: F</b><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><b style="font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"></span><i style="font-size: 13.2px;">Hindsight: The Baystars took Katsuki Azuma, Swallows got Munetaka Murakami unopposed. </i><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><b style="font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"></span><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">===</b><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><b style="font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"></span><b style="font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Second round: IF/OF Manaya Nishikawa (Hanasaki Tokuharu HS, Saitama)</span></b><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;">Nishikawa was part of a Koshien championship team in 2017 and was even teammates with his senpai Aito Takeda at one point. He made progression to keep earning ichi-gun playing time from 2020-2023, but has yet to breakout or have a starting position for an entire season. Coming into his age 25 season, he'll need to breakout soon, or else he'll be seen as a rotation outfielder. </span><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">Grade: C-</b><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><b style="font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"></span><i style="font-size: 13.2px;">Hindsight: Softbank Hawks took Rei Takahashi, Chiba took Yudai Fujioka</i><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><b style="font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"></span><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">===</b><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><b style="font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"></span><b style="font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Third round: P Sho Ito (Tokushima Indigo Socks, Tokushima)</span></b><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;">Ito was taken as a 19-year old having only spent one year in Indy ball. After a promising first year, which included a spot start victory, he only saw mop up duties in 2019 while not faring as well for six games. His role has been limited at the ichi-gun and couldn't build off his 2018 season. After taking low to medium leverage innings, he underwent Tommy John surgery and has been under an ikusei contract since 2022. </span><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">Grade: D-</b></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><i>Hindsight: Orix took Shuhei Fukuda, Yomiuri took Takumi Oshiro</i><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><b style="font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"></span><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">===</b><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><b style="font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"></span><b style="font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Fourth round: P Kaima Taira (Yaeyama Shoko HS, Okinawa)</span></b><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;">Taira spent the entire 2018 season in ni-gun, but earned his first call up in thee second half of 2019. He's the hardest throwing the pitcher the Lions have and while he was inconsistent, there was plenty of promise for him to take high leverage innings. He pitched in 26 ichi-gun games for 2019 and earned high leverage innings. In 2020, he was the setup man and in 2021, he became the closer due to an ineffective and injured Tatsushi Masuda. Taira set a Pacific League record for most consecutive innings without allowing an earned run to start the year and kept his closer role. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif"> Taira entered the Lions rotation in 2023 and passed his test with flying colors. It's very likely the Lions will post him to MLB someday. </span><b>Grade: A</b></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><i>Hindsight: Swallows took Yasutaka Shiomi</i></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><b style="font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"></span><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">===</b><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><b style="font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"></span><b style="font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Fifth Round: P Kaito Yoza (Gifu Keizai University, Gifu)</span></b><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;">Yoza is a submarine pitcher thought to be the heir to Kazuhisa Makita, who was outgoing that offseason. His career has started out slow, recovering from an injury and surgery in 2018 where he spent 2019 under an ikusei contract. Yoza's long road to coming back finally came late in 2019 with two ni-gun appearances. The Lions liked what they saw and promoted him back to the 70-man roster after the season. Yoza has been a flexible pitcher for both spot starting and in relief. At worst, he's been an innings eater which is still decent value for the 5th round. </span><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">Grade: B</b><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><b style="font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"></span><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">===</b><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><b style="font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"></span><b style="font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sixth Round: IF Ryusei Tsunashima (Itoigakawa Hakurei HS, Niigata)</span></b><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;">Tsunashima was taken as a long term project for 3B and anywhere else on the infield. He made his ichi-gun debut in 2021 and appeared in seven games, but he was considered expendable as the team cut after the season. </span><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">Grade: F</b><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><b style="font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"></span><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">===</b><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><b style="font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"></span><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><b>Ikusei 1: OF Wataru Takagi (Shinsokan HS, Fukuoka)</b></span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;">Takagi was a two-way player coming off a shoulder injury, but the Lions saw him as a position player. He earned a quick promotion to the 70-man roster after a decent ni-gun season in 2018. In 83 ni-gun games, he had a slashline of .256/.302/.453 with 12 HRs. He made his ichi-gun debut in June of 2019 with one late at-bat for his only appearance. He saw some ichi-gun time expand in 2020 for a brief stretch, but couldn't repeat or find the same success</span><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;">. </span><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">Grade: C</b></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><b style="font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"></span><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">===</b><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><b style="font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"></span><b style="font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Ikusei 2: C Masato Saito (Hokkaido Kyoiku University, Hokkaido)</span></b><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;">M. Saito has been a farm catcher for most of his time with the Lions. He earned a surprise promotion to the 70-man roster in the middle of the 2019 season when the depth became thin. M. Saito had a brief callup as an emergency third catcher, but never appeared in a game. He made his ichi-gun debut in 2021 as a replacement player. He saw a handful of games with his last being in July 2023. Masato was part of the senryokugai at the conclusion of the season and has retired as a player to become a bullpen catcher. </span><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">Grade: Incomplete</b><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><b style="font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"></span><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">===</b><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><b>Overall:</b></span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;">This class hasn't aged well except through Taira and Yoza. Drafting Saito is a cautionary tale to not draft for need. As a team, it is best to take the best talent available no matter what. Don't put yourself in a position of need. It could be worse, but it hinges on Nishikawa. </span><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">Grade: C+</b></p></div><br />===<div><br /><div><div><b>Other drafts in series:</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><a href="https://graveyardbaseball.blogspot.com/2024/01/nine-seasons-later-grading-2014-seibu.html">2014</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://graveyardbaseball.blogspot.com/2024/01/eight-seasons-later-grading-seibu-lions.html" style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-decoration-line: none;">2015</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://graveyardbaseball.blogspot.com/2024/01/seven-seasons-later-grading-seibu-lions.html">2016</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://graveyardbaseball.blogspot.com/2024/01/five-seasons-later-grading-2018-seibu.html">2018</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://graveyardbaseball.blogspot.com/2024/01/four-seasons-later-grading-2019-seibu.html">2019</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://graveyardbaseball.blogspot.com/2024/01/three-seasons-later-grading-2020-seibu.html" style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">2020</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://graveyardbaseball.blogspot.com/2024/01/two-seasons-later-progress-report-on.html">2021</a></div><div><br /></div><div>===</div><div><p></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="ja">これまでに <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E5%9F%BC%E7%8E%89%E8%A5%BF%E6%AD%A6%E3%83%A9%E3%82%A4%E3%82%AA%E3%83%B3%E3%82%BA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#埼玉西武ライオンズ</a> 2017ドラフトクラスをどのように評価していますか?<br /><br />How do you grade the 2017 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/seibulions?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#seibulions</a> draft class? <br /><br />ご共有をお願いします <a href="https://twitter.com/Cape_Lions?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Cape_Lions</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/64Uni_Lions?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@64Uni_Lions</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/nerimamo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nerimamo</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NPBeng?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NPBeng</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E9%BD%8A%E8%97%A4%E5%A4%A7%E5%B0%86?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#齊藤大将</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E8%A5%BF%E5%B7%9D%E6%84%9B%E4%B9%9F?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#西川愛也</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E4%BC%8A%E8%97%A4%E7%BF%94?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#伊藤翔</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E5%B9%B3%E8%89%AF%E6%B5%B7%E9%A6%AC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#平良海馬</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E8%88%87%E5%BA%A7%E6%B5%B7%E4%BA%BA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#與座海人</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E7%B6%B1%E5%B3%B6%E9%BE%8D%E7%94%9F?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#綱島龍生</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E9%AB%98%E6%9C%A8%E6%B8%89?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#高木渉</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E9%BD%8A%E8%97%A4%E8%AA%A0%E4%BA%BA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#齊藤誠人</a></p>— Graveyard Baseball (@GraveyardBall) <a href="https://twitter.com/GraveyardBall/status/1745755370394398831?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 12, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">===</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">Follow us on X <a href="http://twitter.com/graveyardball" style="color: blue; text-decoration-line: none;">@GraveyardBall</a></p></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8741953424210555772.post-25499798470513225882024-01-13T06:56:00.000-08:002024-01-26T15:59:06.095-08:00Seven seasons later: Grading the Seibu Lions 2016 Draft class<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhKp_PEGBbabQVC6VQn7J6VmsdxngDX2zyq-NyyYzWNBoF6oRssb8arGJoOB1211zLeNibbEiSv4bL8sBWfqqtyDiypvHUCcp9ozwVY7VQT7J489kUzIxbgC3aSltikumSx4yoo0ifpTulYsdCWvwLuhwnpO6ssQEKZyezyQ8k-OT54wp7gujorjmXA3W8" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="513" data-original-width="770" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhKp_PEGBbabQVC6VQn7J6VmsdxngDX2zyq-NyyYzWNBoF6oRssb8arGJoOB1211zLeNibbEiSv4bL8sBWfqqtyDiypvHUCcp9ozwVY7VQT7J489kUzIxbgC3aSltikumSx4yoo0ifpTulYsdCWvwLuhwnpO6ssQEKZyezyQ8k-OT54wp7gujorjmXA3W8=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: start;">===</div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: start;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: start;">The Saitama Seibu Lions had several pitching options to take in this draft, but there was a huge difference of opinion in the first round. </div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: start;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: start;">===</div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: start;"><br /></div><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: start;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><b>First round: P Tatsuya Imai (Sakushin Gakuin, Tochigi)</b></span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;">The Lions did not go for the hyped up Seigi Tanaka and all six B-class teams took a different player as a way of punishing those who went for him. There was no opposition for Imai's rights.</span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;">Imai's first season of professional baseball was cut short due to injury, where he suffered a shoulder problem in spring training camp. A suspension delayed his ichi-gun debut in 2018, but he made progress and continued to stay at the top level before being overwhelmed in the postseason. He put in a larger workload for 2019 while still developing, but remained inconsistent as a whole.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: start;">Despite an injury riddled 2022 season, Imai has gotten better with age and had his first 10 win season in 2023. His expectations of being an elite ace are out the window and he humbly changed his jersey number to #48, but Imai is a front end rotation starter and remains more successful than the others taken in this round. </p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: start;"><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">Grade: A-</b></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: start;"><b style="font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></b><i style="font-size: 13.2px;">Hindsight: Taisuke Yamaoka was taken by Orix. Haruhiro Hamaguchi taken by the Baystars. Dragons took Yuya Yanagi in a coin flip draw. Hanshin took Yusuke Ohyama. </i><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;">===</span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><b>Second round: P Shunta Nakatsuka (Hakuoh University, Tochigi) </b></span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;">Nakatsuka failed to earn a roster spot during his five years in NPB. At one point, he almost finished a game being one out away, but three consecutive walks without a strike forced a hook. </span><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;">He saw two ichi-gun games in 2018 with no success and the same control problems continued to linger. </span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;">He also received a workload in Australia with the Melbourne Aces and again struggled with control out of the bullpen. In Australia, he was known as "The Big Man" due to his size. His last ichi-gun action had six games in 2020, before the Lions cut him after the 2021 season. </span><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">Grade: F</b><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><i style="font-size: 13.2px;">Hindsight: Yuta Kuroki was drafted by Orix. Yota Kyoda was drafted by the Chunichi Dragons. Tomohito Sakai was taken by the Marines and since switched to the Eagles as part of free agency compensation for Minabu Mima. Kazunari Ishii has been a regular fielder for the Fighters. Seishu Hatake has contributed for the Giants. </i><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;">===</span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><b>Third round: IF Sosuke Genda (Toyota Motors, Aichi)</b></span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;">The Lions took a shakaijin in the third round and he played every single inning at the ichi-gun level for 2017. Genda became the fourth player in NPB history to accomplish this feat and he won the 2017 Pacfic League rookie of the award. He avoided any sophomore slump in 2018 and became a Best IX SS from 2018-2021. Genda has also won the Golden Glove six consecutive times from 2018-2023. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: start;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;">He reached free agency in the 2023 season, but signed long term through his prime years in the winter before. A Best IX Shortstop to fill an immediate hole for years? An easy call. </span><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">Grade: A+</b><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><i style="font-size: 13.2px;">Hindsight: None </i><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><i style="font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></i><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;">===</span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><b>Fourth round: OF Shohei Suzuki (Shizuoka HS, Shizuoka) </b></span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;">The Lions took a HS outfielder as a future prospect. Suzuki made good progress in ni-gun and the Lions like what they're seeing him, hoping he can develop into a potential leadoff hitter. He earned his first ichi-gun action in 2019 as a reserve outfielder and even saw a handful of starts in right field.</span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;">His role expanded from 2020-2023, but couldn't keep his starting spot in an outfield that became a revolving door. <b> </b>Injuries and ineffectiveness have kept him as a rotational player. Entering his age 26 season, time is starting to run out on having upside with a poor walk rate. <b>Grade: D+</b></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: start;"><b style="font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"></span><i style="font-size: 13.2px;">Hindsight: Orix took Yoshinobu Yamamoto. D</i><i>ragons took Shotaro Kasahara. </i></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: start;"><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;">===</span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><b>Fifth round: P Katsunori Hirai (Honda Suzuka, Mie)</b></span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;">Hirai was one of the oldest players taken in the class as he was a shakaijin playing in Mie prefecture. He cracked the ichi-gun level in May of 2017 and never had to look back, earning innings in medium leverage. For 2018. he was part of a up and down bullpen where he was prone to giving up home runs.</span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><b style="font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif">In 2019, he earned the setup man role and thrived under Kazuyoshi Ono. However, his arm was shot by the end of the year by overplaying him in every role from leading by 1 run to tie games or even trailing by a few runs. By appearing in 81 games, it was a new Pacific League record. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: start;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif">After some regression from 2020-2021, he had a resurgence as a reliable setup man from 2022-2023. Hirai reached domestic free agency in 2023, but opted to stay with the Lions, locking up his prime. </span><b>Grade A-</b></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: start;"><i>Hindsight: None</i><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><b style="font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></b><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">===</b><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><b>Sixth round: P Ichiro Tamura (Rikkyo University, Tokyo)</b></span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif">Tamura has mostly taken mop up innings while staying alive at the ichi-gun level. He even earned a win and save in 2021. Despite a slow 2022, Tamura was called up to eat low leverage innings in 2023. While his career has been walking the tightrope, he's still on the roster for 2024, that's a win to find someone remaining. </span><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">Grade: B-</b><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><b style="font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></b><i style="font-size: 13.2px;">Hindsight: Rakuten took Yuhei Takanashi in the 9th round. Marines took Atsuki Taneichi. Baystars took Keita Sano in the 9th round. </i><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;">===</span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><b>Overall: </b></span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;">Imai appears to be the second best high school pitcher in this class after Yamamoto, while a starting SS in Genda to help immediately and a reliever in Hirai are all positive picks. All three players had a role in the pennant success from 2018-2019. It's one of the best classes within the last 10 years by the Lions. </span><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">Grade: A</b><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /></p></div><br /><p></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="ja"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E5%9F%BC%E7%8E%89%E8%A5%BF%E6%AD%A6%E3%83%A9%E3%82%A4%E3%82%AA%E3%83%B3%E3%82%BA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#埼玉西武ライオンズ</a> 2016ドラフトクラスの採点方法を教えてください?<br /><br />How do you grade the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SeibuLions?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SeibuLions</a> 2016 Draft class? <br /><br />拡散してください<a href="https://twitter.com/Cape_Lions?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Cape_Lions</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/64Uni_Lions?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@64Uni_Lions</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/nerimamo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nerimamo</a><br /><br /> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NPBeng?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NPBeng</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E4%BB%8A%E4%BA%95%E9%81%94%E4%B9%9F?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#今井達也</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E4%B8%AD%E5%A1%9A%E9%A7%BF%E5%A4%AA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#中塚駿太</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E6%BA%90%E7%94%B0%E5%A3%AE%E4%BA%AE?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#源田壮亮</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E9%88%B4%E6%9C%A8%E5%B0%86%E5%B9%B3?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#鈴木将平</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E5%B9%B3%E4%BA%95%E5%85%8B%E5%85%B8?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#平井克典</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E7%94%B0%E6%9D%91%E4%BC%8A%E7%9F%A5%E9%83%8E?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#田村伊知郎</a></p>— Graveyard Baseball (@GraveyardBall) <a href="https://twitter.com/GraveyardBall/status/1745003967023653006?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 10, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"> <span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;">===</span></p><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><b>Other drafts in series:</b></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><a href="https://graveyardbaseball.blogspot.com/2024/01/nine-seasons-later-grading-2014-seibu.html" style="color: #10b0f6; font-size: 13.2px;">2014</a></div><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"></span></p><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><a href="https://graveyardbaseball.blogspot.com/2024/01/eight-seasons-later-grading-seibu-lions.html" style="color: blue; text-decoration-line: none;">2015</a></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><a href="https://graveyardbaseball.blogspot.com/2024/01/six-seasons-later-grading-seibu-lions.html" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;">2017</a></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><a href="https://graveyardbaseball.blogspot.com/2024/01/five-seasons-later-grading-2018-seibu.html" style="color: blue; font-size: 13.2px; text-decoration-line: none;">2018</a></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><a href="https://graveyardbaseball.blogspot.com/2024/01/four-seasons-later-grading-2019-seibu.html" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;">2019</a></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><a href="https://graveyardbaseball.blogspot.com/2024/01/three-seasons-later-grading-2020-seibu.html" style="font-size: 13.2px;">2020</a></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><a href="https://graveyardbaseball.blogspot.com/2024/01/two-seasons-later-progress-report-on.html" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;">2021</a></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">===</div><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">Follow us on X <a href="http://twitter.com/graveyardball" style="color: blue; text-decoration-line: none;">@GraveyardBall</a></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8741953424210555772.post-41974335010322058342024-01-11T12:17:00.000-08:002024-01-11T12:17:16.228-08:00Lions select P Kaino as compensation for loss of Yamakawa <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEga7-96rfp12bdA-Pky_XappwT_jHagxFNUUAzhEq4FAa1UHVHtt48qhEoc5q5DR-NmmnFtFwl7o-9HAZjZZxfNax1SCexHVvS6OtB6sqqvp4G5DrI4CfV4Plw-FCGXSvO0hznUYgRruv5CHvEhNCUUjjSvqGgS8iQ3YooGqmfuzFAZ4Wj-UCDdoNXQaVE" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEga7-96rfp12bdA-Pky_XappwT_jHagxFNUUAzhEq4FAa1UHVHtt48qhEoc5q5DR-NmmnFtFwl7o-9HAZjZZxfNax1SCexHVvS6OtB6sqqvp4G5DrI4CfV4Plw-FCGXSvO0hznUYgRruv5CHvEhNCUUjjSvqGgS8iQ3YooGqmfuzFAZ4Wj-UCDdoNXQaVE" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>The Saitama Seibu Lions had one more step in closing the book on Hotaka Yamakawa. After the Softbank Hawks signed him to a multi-year deal, the Lions had to choose a compensation selection between cash and a player or more cash.</p><p>With the Hawks protected list in, the Lions selected RHP Hiroshi Kaino as their compensatory selection on Thursday. </p><p>Kaino, 27, was a mainstay in the Hawks bullpen working as a middle reliever. Originally he was a first round draft pick by the Hawks in 2018 in the same class at Wataru Matsumoto.</p><p>When drafted, he was viewed as a raw hard thrower in a class full of pitchers. With the Lions moving Taira to the rotation, they lacked a reliever who had high velocity in 2023 and he can throw as hard as 160 km/H (99 mph). </p><p>In 2023, Kaino had a 2.53 ERA, 2 saves, 8 holds, and strikeouts in 42.2 innings of work. </p><p>He should be part of a mix in the bullpen and could compete with Tatsushi Masuda, Yoshinobu Mizukami, Taishi Mameda and others for the closer role. </p><p>===</p><p>Follow us on X <a href="http://Twitter.com/graveyardball">@GraveyardBall</a></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8741953424210555772.post-38524756400548464062024-01-10T12:20:00.000-08:002024-01-26T15:58:52.171-08:00Eight seasons later: Grading the Seibu Lions 2015 Draft Class<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjlJxz9EW4IX6Xmkz9O4HKTefrfREJhRKzaw6QhWxgccqq8z_XtgQJkzgwSthRI2y7wP3_3gkV6t1GKhcfq9IjLkrJGr4xL6waM9SPzo1z5aysbnuMNwp3aMdnGrYe9esz1fApubeP9T2T1aImfRx7ZFrbF_4X34v4FodU2Gd8e4a8Tpcg1KD9lG7OagiI" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="524" data-original-width="846" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjlJxz9EW4IX6Xmkz9O4HKTefrfREJhRKzaw6QhWxgccqq8z_XtgQJkzgwSthRI2y7wP3_3gkV6t1GKhcfq9IjLkrJGr4xL6waM9SPzo1z5aysbnuMNwp3aMdnGrYe9esz1fApubeP9T2T1aImfRx7ZFrbF_4X34v4FodU2Gd8e4a8Tpcg1KD9lG7OagiI" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">===</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;">The Saitama Seibu Lions came off a poor second half of the season in 2015, which included a franchise-record 13-game losing streak in the midst of a cold stretch. There was one obvious flaw that the team knew and this draft had several players.</span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;">Here is what happened with a reaction:</span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="verdana, geneva, sans-serif"><b>First round: P Shinsaburo Tawata (Fuji University, Iwate)</b></span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="verdana, geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;">By taking a pitcher out of Fuji University, it was the third straight year the Lions took someone out of this school following Hotaka Yamakawa and Shuta Tonosaki. Tawata was taken without opposition even though they made an announcement the day before.</span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="verdana, geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;">Tawata had two slow starts to his career in 2016 and 2017, but a good second half made it all promising. He had a great 2018 as the wins leader, but regressed in 2019 while being the opening day starter. One thing that has been clear of Tawata: his strikeout rate fell even though his 2018 season had wins. His health declined in 2019 and stayed on an ikusei contract before the team released him for good after 2021. His career </span><span face="verdana, geneva, sans-serif">was a flash in the pan. </span><b>Grade: C-</b></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><i style="font-size: 13.2px;">Hindsight: The Orix Buffaloes took Masataka Yoshida and the Baystars selected Shota Imanaga unopposed. </i><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="verdana, geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;">===</span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="verdana, geneva, sans-serif"><b>Second round: P Seiji Kawagoe (Hokkai Gakuen University, Hokkaido) </b></span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="verdana, geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;">Kawagoe was a two-way player in college and was drafted as a pitcher, despite having potential in the OF too. Injuries derailed his career early on and his jersey number reassignment showed he regressed. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span face="verdana, geneva, sans-serif">He switched to being an outfielder after three seasons and had a part time role. While he was useful for a handful of matchups, the Lions wasted his development by trying to use him as a pitcher and he has only tried salvaging his remaining time.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span face="verdana, geneva, sans-serif">Kawagoe was traded in July 2023 to the Chunichi Dragons for Wataru Takamatsu, ending his time with the Lions.</span><span face="verdana, geneva, sans-serif"> </span><b>Grade: F</b></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><b style="font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></b><span face="verdana, geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"></span><i style="font-size: 13.2px;">Hindsight: The Fighters selected P Takayuki Kato with this pick. Ryota Sekiya was drafted by the Marines.</i><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="verdana, geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;">===</span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="verdana, geneva, sans-serif"><b>Third round: P Shogo Noda, (Seino Unyu, Gifu) </b></span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="verdana, geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;">The Lions went with a shakaijin in the third round and Noda has worked his way up to the ichi-gun early. In his first year of 2016, he started to get meaningful innings when the season ended and had low leverage outings in 2017. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span face="verdana, geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;">He took a workload of medium leverage innings in 2018, but couldn't stay at the ichi-gun for long in 2019. After struggling in ni-gun for 2020, the Lions cut him when the season was over. </span><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">Grade: D</b><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><i style="font-size: 13.2px;">Hindsight: The Eagles took Eigoro Mogi. Dragons took Takuya Kinoshita. Orix took Koji Oshiro</i><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="verdana, geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;">===</span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="verdana, geneva, sans-serif"><b>Fourth round: OF Aito Takeda (Hanasaki Tokuharu HS, Saitama) </b></span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="verdana, geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;">The Lions took a HS outfielder from their own backyard in "Aito" Takeda (formerly Otaki) as he was part of a Summer Koshien team that had a decent run. Aito earned a few games at the ichi-gun level and was hit by pitch in his first career plate appearance in 2017. </span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="verdana, geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></span><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"></span><span face="verdana, geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;">He saw almost no time in 2018, but was mostly on the bench in 2019 as a defensive replacement or emergency outfielder. He even had a walkoff error hit, but his bat wasn't good enough to be a starter. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span face="verdana, geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;">Aito was an ichi-gun regular in 2021, but his bat was nothing special. He was an opening day starter in 2022 and 2023, but couldn't keep his job at the ichi-gun level. The Lions designated him as one of two players available for the Active Player Draft at the conclusion of the 2023 season and he was selected by the Chiba Lotte Marines, a team he had great production against. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">Grade: D</b><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><i style="font-size: 13.2px;">Hindsight: The Baystars took C Yasutaka Tobashira and the Dragons took Hiroto Fuku with this pick. Marines took Taiki Tojo. Tigers took Atsushi Mochizuki. </i><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="verdana, geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;">===</span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="verdana, geneva, sans-serif"><b>Fifth round: P Tadasuke Minamikawa (JR Shikoku, Kagawa)</b></span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="verdana, geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;">A shakaijin from Shikoku was taken in this round by the Lions, but Minamikawa did little at the ichi-gun level. From 2016-2019, he had a total of 14 ichi-gun appearances which were all in low leverage. His only appearance in 2019 featured three walks and no recorded outs with two wild pitches. The inherited runners eventually scored, leaving him with an infinity ERA for the 2019 season. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span face="verdana, geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;">He fell out of favor among the Lions pitchers and was part of the seryokugai at the end of 2019. <b>Grade: F</b></span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><i style="font-size: 13.2px;">Hindsight: The Hiroshima Carp selected Ryoma Nishikawa in this round. Koyo Aoyagi was drafted by the Hanshin Tigers. Ryota Ishibashi was taken by the Eagles. Toshiki Abe was drafted by the Dragons. </i><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="verdana, geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;">===</span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="verdana, geneva, sans-serif"><b>Sixth round: P Keisuke Honda (Tohoku Gakuin University, Miyagi)</b></span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="verdana, geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;">Honda is only the second-best known Keisuke Honda in Japan behind the midfielder of the same name. He was mostly a ni-gun starter from 2016-2018 while being productive, but couldn't crack much time at the ichi-gun minus some spot starts and relief appearances. </span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="verdana, geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></span><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"></span><span face="verdana, geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;">He was part of the 2016 U23 Baseball World Cup in Mexico, where Samurai Japan won. Honda also dominated the Australian Baseball League in that same year in the five starts he was given. He finally became a regular starting pitcher in 2019, recording a 6-6 record with a 4.63 ERA in 91.1 IP and 16 starts.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">Honda has a spot starter role from 2020-2021 while he's thrived more as a reliever since 2022. The Lions have put him in medium to low leverage to eat innings, but he's been solid as a bridge to the setup reliever before the 8th inning. </p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span face="verdana, geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"> </span><span face="verdana, geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"> </span><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">Grade: B</b><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><i style="font-size: 13.2px;">Hindsight: None.</i><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="verdana, geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;">===</span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="verdana, geneva, sans-serif"><b>Seventh round: IF Nien Ting Wu (Daichi Kogyo University, Kagoshima)</b></span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="verdana, geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;">Wu is originally from Taiwan, but moved to Japan at a young age due to his father being a player in the shakaijin leagues. He attended high school in Okayama prefecture and his father's connection to the Lions was being a teammate of now GM Hisanobu "Nabe-Q" Watanabe.</span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="verdana, geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;">With the Lions 2016 season being all but over, Wu started games at SS at the end of of the year and had quite a few at bats. His time diminished in 2017 due to the emergence of Sosuke Genda. He saw no ichi-gun games in 2019 with Ryusei Sato leaping him on the depth chart. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span face="verdana, geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;">While in ni-gun, the Lions have used him all over the infield and outfield as a utility player, but others are blocked him from being at the top level. He finally had more opportunities in 2021 and was average as a starter on the infield, but his bat became a weakness. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">Knowing he would remain as a part time player only, Wu left the Lions on his own will to spend his remaining playing career in his native country Taiwan. Wu was nothing but a glorified bench player. </p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span face="verdana, geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"> </span><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">Grade: C</b><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><b style="font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></b><span face="verdana, geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"></span><i style="font-size: 13.2px;">Hindsight: </i><i style="font-size: 13.2px;">Kohei Suzuki was taken by Orix.</i><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="verdana, geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;">===</span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="verdana, geneva, sans-serif"><b>Eighth round: P Tsubasa Kokuba (Daichi Kogyo University, Kagoshima) </b></span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="verdana, geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;">Kokuba was a teammate of Wu's and an Okinawa native. He saw a short time at the ichi-gun at the end of 2016, but failed to play a game at the ichi-gun level from 2017-2018. However, he earned a late callup in 2019 where he initially saw mop up duty innings. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span face="verdana, geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;">Eventually, he took medium leverage situations if necessary and earned a win out of the bullpen. In 15 games, he finished with a 3.68 ERA in 14.2 innings. Kokuba saw seven ichi-gun games in 2020 and the Lions cut him after the season due to poor performance. </span><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">Grade: D</b><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><i style="font-size: 13.2px;">Hindsight: None for now</i><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="verdana, geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;">===</span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="verdana, geneva, sans-serif"><b>Ninth round: P Koki Fujita (Hirosaki Kogyo HS, Aomori)</b></span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="verdana, geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;">Fujita was the only HS pitcher selected in this class and he spent the 2016 season recovering from an injury. He got his feet wet out of the bullpen for three ni-gun games in 2017 and his workload continued at the farm level to 2018 and 2019. In 27 ni-gu games, Fujita recorded a 1-1 record with a 5.87 ERA as a reliever for 23 innings. His injury derailed his career and he never saw an ichi-gun game. Fujita was cut after the 2020 season. </span><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">Grade: Incomplete</b><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><i style="font-size: 13.2px;">Hindsight: None</i><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="verdana, geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;">===</span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="verdana, geneva, sans-serif"><b>Tenth round: P Naoaki Matsumoto (Kagawa Olive Guyners, Kagawa)</b></span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="verdana, geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;">The Lions took a flyer on a pitcher from the Shikoku Island League as Matsumoto turned 25 a month after he was drafted. While having a great underdog story of being the last player drafted and playing in a hospital league while helping elders to playing well in the Indy League, he did done little at the ichi-gun.</span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="verdana, geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;">He received a call up in late 2016 for some brief appearances in Fukuoka. Matsumoto had 24 innings of mop up duty in 24 games back in 2018, but recorded a 6.75 ERA. He had another four ichi-gun games in 2019, but it didn't amount to much. Tthe Lions cut him after the 2019 season as part of the senryokugai. It was a great story, but he couldn't overcome all the odds. </span><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">Grade: D-</b><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><i style="font-size: 13.2px;">Hindsight: Orix took Yutaro Sugimoto. </i><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="verdana, geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;">===</span></p></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Overall: F</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div>The Lions absolutely failed in this draft with only Honda remaining on the roster for 2024. Others were traded, let go or straight up injured.</div><div><br /></div><div>On paper, Tawata looked like a possible ace, but his body broke down and it was short lived. There were options available in the first round as shown from Imanaga and Masataka Yoshida, but it wasn't meant to be. The flopping of picks after Tawata hurt this team for 2020-2023 with almost no help. </div><div><br /></div>===<div><b>Other drafts in series:</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><a href="https://graveyardbaseball.blogspot.com/2024/01/nine-seasons-later-grading-2014-seibu.html">2014</a></div><div><div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://graveyardbaseball.blogspot.com/2024/01/seven-seasons-later-grading-seibu-lions.html">2016</a></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://graveyardbaseball.blogspot.com/2024/01/six-seasons-later-grading-seibu-lions.html">2017</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://graveyardbaseball.blogspot.com/2024/01/five-seasons-later-grading-2018-seibu.html" style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-decoration-line: none;">2018</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://graveyardbaseball.blogspot.com/2024/01/four-seasons-later-grading-2019-seibu.html">2019</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://graveyardbaseball.blogspot.com/2024/01/three-seasons-later-grading-2020-seibu.html" style="background-color: white; color: #10b0f6; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">2020</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://graveyardbaseball.blogspot.com/2024/01/two-seasons-later-progress-report-on.html">2021</a><br /><div><br /></div><div>===<br /><p></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="ja"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E5%9F%BC%E7%8E%89%E8%A5%BF%E6%AD%A6%E3%83%A9%E3%82%A4%E3%82%AA%E3%83%B3%E3%82%BA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#埼玉西武ライオンズ</a> 2015ドラフトクラスの採点方法を教えてください?<br /><br />How do you grade the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SeibuLions?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SeibuLions</a> 2015 Draft class? <br /><br />拡散してください<a href="https://twitter.com/Cape_Lions?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Cape_Lions</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/64Uni_Lions?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@64Uni_Lions</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/nerimamo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nerimamo</a><br /> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NPBeng?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NPBeng</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E5%A4%9A%E5%92%8C%E7%94%B0%E7%9C%9F%E4%B8%89%E9%83%8E?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#多和田真三郎</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E5%B7%9D%E8%B6%8A%E8%AA%A0%E5%8F%B8?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#川越誠司</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E9%87%8E%E7%94%B0%E6%98%87%E5%90%BE?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#野田昇吾</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E6%84%9B%E6%96%97?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#愛斗</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E5%8D%97%E5%B7%9D%E5%BF%A0%E4%BA%AE?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#南川忠亮</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E6%9C%AC%E7%94%B0%E5%9C%AD%E4%BD%91?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#本田圭佑</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E5%91%89%E5%BF%B5%E5%BA%AD?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#呉念庭</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E5%9C%8B%E5%A0%B4%E7%BF%BC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#國場翼</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E8%97%A4%E7%94%B0%E8%88%AA%E7%94%9F?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#藤田航生</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E6%9D%BE%E6%9C%AC%E7%9B%B4%E6%99%83?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#松本直晃</a></p>— Graveyard Baseball (@GraveyardBall) <a href="https://twitter.com/GraveyardBall/status/1744559350448902620?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 9, 2024</a></blockquote><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;">===</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">Follow us on X <a href="http://twitter.com/graveyardball" style="color: blue; text-decoration-line: none;">@GraveyardBall</a></p></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8741953424210555772.post-54532793921710506562024-01-08T12:52:00.000-08:002024-01-26T15:57:58.340-08:00Nine seasons later: Grading the 2014 Seibu Lions draft class<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiKEd1Rje8GH8bmMO-3tI6wq-SbsBi_wPBoLPHQT1HxZy_BSY18DkxB41SikxBefqYfzt3xVEmDj4W-gmWq2t0np82Kx86-WvL2XEOZhFLQVknoK4NB79ZoYjxphObJbD2_jdT4q5Zd7wZbg36nTdPwEHoLm9auwFVepb7BknxKEp0zPNaxKxBXbGeeL08" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="349" data-original-width="620" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiKEd1Rje8GH8bmMO-3tI6wq-SbsBi_wPBoLPHQT1HxZy_BSY18DkxB41SikxBefqYfzt3xVEmDj4W-gmWq2t0np82Kx86-WvL2XEOZhFLQVknoK4NB79ZoYjxphObJbD2_jdT4q5Zd7wZbg36nTdPwEHoLm9auwFVepb7BknxKEp0zPNaxKxBXbGeeL08=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>It's officially that time of the year to look back at the last NPB Drafts by the Saitama Seibu Lions and see how they aged. </p><p>Coming into the 2014 NPB Draft, the Lions came off a forgettable season where manager Haruki Ihara resigned ib </p><p>===</p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>First round: P Kona Takahashi (Maebashi Ikuei HS, Gunma)</b></span></p><p>Kona Takahashi won the 2013 Koshien tournament as a junior and was taken by the Lions without opposition in the first round. A big difference of opinion ended up favoring the Lions to land his rights.</p><p>In his first two years, he threw two shutouts and already reached three complete games. He suffered some setbacks in 2017-2018 with poor condition and injury, but rebounded in 2019 with his biggest workload yet of 123.2 IP before being hurt in September. </p><p>He put in three consecutive 10-win seasons from 2021 and established himself as the team's ace in 2022. With some strong performances, he will likely reach his desire to be posted to MLB after the 2024 season. </p><p>Producing someone to make it to the Majors is always a strong grade. </p><p><b>Grade</b>: <b>A-</b></p><p>Hindsight: The Baystars won the rights to Yasuaki Yamasaki as a second choice, where they had a 50-50 chance of landing him against the Hanshin Tigers. Kohei Arihara was the consensus best player available, which the Fighters won a four-way drawing for his rights. Kazuma Okamoto was taken without opposition by the Giants. Sachiya Yamasaki was taken by Orix unopposed. </p><p>===</p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;">Second round: P Yasuo Sano (Heisei Kokusai Univesrsity, Saitama)</span></b></p><p>Sano was given a spot start in 2015 and had some time in the bullpen for 2016, where he earned a win. His role expanded in 2017 as he became the sixth starter and the Lions were tight, giving him strictly four to five innings at most. He showed good progress as the starter and earned plenty of run support, but a knee injury in June ended his season. </p><p>After a short ichi-gun season in 2018, he had his biggest workload yet in 2019 with 67.2 IP. The Lions used him as a spot starter, but mostly in middle relief when the team was trailing or tied. He registered a 4.39 ERA for 2019. </p><p>Sano's role continues to diminish as a mop up pitcher and he was let go at the conclusion of the 2022 season.</p><p><b>Grade: D</b></p><p>Hindsight: The Hanshin Tigers drafted Tsuyoshi Ishizaki in this round. Kenta Ishida was drafted by the Baystars. Kazuki Yabuta was taken by the Carp. Yuma Mune was taken by the Buffaloes. Hawks took Ryoya Kurihara. Rakuten took Fumiya Ono</p><p>===</p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Third round: IF Shuta Tonosaki (Fuji University, Iwate)</b></span></p><p>Tonosaki started off as a pinch runner and defensive replacement as he earned ichi-gun playing time by the end of his rookie year 2015. His role diminished under Norio Tanabe in 2016, but he spent the entire 2017 at the ichi-gun level. </p><p>Hatsuhiko Tsuji initially had him as a defensive replacement, but some poor hitting in the outfield made Tonosaki start in left field and later right field, a position he held for the rest of the year. He was a starting right fielder in 2018 until his injury prevented him from playing a full season. For 2019, he switched back to the infield at 2B and played every game, reaching the 20+ HR milestone for the first time. </p><p>With an .846 OPS while batting sixth in the lineup, he has been a reliable starter with 22 stolen bases and has shown to be a better athlete than his predecessor Hideto Asamura.</p><p>Tonosaki has battled injuries and regressed since his peak 2019 season. </p><p>He's been a reliable 2B on defense despite his offense and power hitting regressing recently. Finding a starting player is always a plus.</p><p> <b>Grade: B+</b></p><p>Hindsight: None. The Lions were drafting near the end of this round and couldn't take many options. </p><p>===</p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;">Fourth round: P Yusuke Tamamura (Tsuruga Kehi HS, Fukui)</span></b></p><p>Tamamura graduated high school a year before and likely dropped out of Asia University, but it didn't prevent the Lions from taking him as a 19 year old. He's become a regular starter at the ni-gun level, but he came off a poor 2017 with a 8.39 ERA in 39.2 innings of work. He had a double-digit ERA down in ni-gun for 2018, which told the Lions they had enough of him. Tamamura was cut at the end of the year as part of the seryokugai. </p><p> <b>Grade: F</b></p><p>Hindsight: Naoya Ishikawa was taken by the Fighters. </p><p>===</p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;">Fifth round: IF Haruka Yamada (Saga Kogyo HS, Saga)</span></b></p><p>Yamada was called up briefly to the ichi-gun as an emergency infielder in 2017 for a week. However, he didn't play a game and has been a regular ni-gun starter. He earned a call up in 2018 and even hit a solo HR as his only hit. He only appeared in four ichi-gun games in 2019 with others leaping him on the depth chart. </p><p>Yamada was a defensive replacement at best more known for his dugout celebrations and funny antics shown on air. He was traded after the 2022 season to the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters for Ryusei Sato after controversy from his wife causing problems with other players' families. The Fighters let him go after the 2023 season and he is currently on an ikusei contract with the Rakuten Eagles.</p><p>If we're going by the trade itself, it's looking like a win for the Lions with what Ryusei Sato has done, but this pick is all but nothing for production. </p><p><b>Grade: D-</b></p><p>Hindsight: Kai Ueda was drafted by the Tigers</p><p>===</p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Ikusei: OF Daisuke Togawa (Hokkai HS, Hokkaido</b>)</span></p><p>Togawa earned a promotion to the 70-man roster one year after being drafted when the 2015 season ended.</p><p> </p><p>His first callup to an chi-gun game was in 2019 and he hit an important home run during that span. He even earned a hero interview after that win. </p><p>The Lions had a brief revolving door in right field and he appeared in only 10 games, hitting .174/.240/.348. Togawa saw only a handful of ichi-gun games per season since that 2019 debut and was senryokugai after the 2022 season.</p><p>Any ikusei working their way up is always a positive, though his time was short.</p><p><b>Grade: C-</b></p><p>Hindsight: None </p><p>===</p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;">Overall: </span></b></p><p>The Lions found an everyday starter in Tonosaki while also having a starting pitcher in Kona Takahashi. Two players is better than none and despite Takahashi soon to leave, having a front end rotation pitcher makes this a positive class as really good, not great. </p><p><b>Grade: B+</b></p><p>Hindsight: Takahashi has proven to the best first round pitcher in this class. Getting him with no opposition with other teams distracted by Kohei Arihara? It's a win. </p><p>===</p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="ja"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E5%9F%BC%E7%8E%89%E8%A5%BF%E6%AD%A6%E3%83%A9%E3%82%A4%E3%82%AA%E3%83%B3%E3%82%BA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#埼玉西武ライオンズ</a> 2014ドラフトクラスの採点方法を教えてください?<br /><br />How do you grade the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SeibuLions?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SeibuLions</a> 2014 Draft class? <br /><br />拡散してください<a href="https://twitter.com/Cape_Lions?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Cape_Lions</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/64Uni_Lions?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@64Uni_Lions</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/nerimamo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nerimamo</a><br /> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NPBeng?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NPBeng</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E9%AB%98%E6%A9%8B%E5%85%89%E6%88%90?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#高橋光成</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E4%BD%90%E9%87%8E%E6%B3%B0%E9%9B%84?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#佐野泰雄</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E5%A4%96%E5%B4%8E%E4%BF%AE%E6%B1%B0?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#外崎修汰</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E7%8E%89%E6%9D%91%E7%A5%90%E5%85%B8?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#玉村祐典</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E5%B1%B1%E7%94%B0%E9%81%A5%E6%A5%93?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#山田遥楓</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E6%88%B8%E5%B7%9D%E5%A4%A7%E8%BC%94?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#戸川大輔</a></p>— Graveyard Baseball (@GraveyardBall) <a href="https://twitter.com/GraveyardBall/status/1744275421955232231?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 8, 2024</a></blockquote><p>===</p><div><b>Other drafts in series:</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><a href="https://graveyardbaseball.blogspot.com/2024/01/eight-seasons-later-grading-seibu-lions.html">2015</a></div><div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://graveyardbaseball.blogspot.com/2024/01/seven-seasons-later-grading-seibu-lions.html">2016</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://graveyardbaseball.blogspot.com/2024/01/six-seasons-later-grading-seibu-lions.html">2017</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://graveyardbaseball.blogspot.com/2024/01/five-seasons-later-grading-2018-seibu.html" style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-decoration-line: none;">2018</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://graveyardbaseball.blogspot.com/2024/01/four-seasons-later-grading-2019-seibu.html">2019</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://graveyardbaseball.blogspot.com/2024/01/three-seasons-later-grading-2020-seibu.html" style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">2020</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://graveyardbaseball.blogspot.com/2024/01/two-seasons-later-progress-report-on.html">2021</a></div><div><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;" /></div></div><p> <span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.2px;">===</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">Follow us on X <a href="http://twitter.com/graveyardball" style="color: blue; text-decoration-line: none;">@GraveyardBall</a></p> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8741953424210555772.post-44664766550875702842024-01-06T14:32:00.000-08:002024-01-06T14:32:45.598-08:00Oakland A's / Seibu Lions Series: David MacKinnon<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXjzZIjbTVtks7_2oUwIxASHKMRa18BHitGgAQVrICJB9r41U1w7tpe5nKg5Rq0QdAn_Yj-FV0oVPBtRVnCaEtcwIkLB9LByqx8WUhWsxQ6swVGs5FufZNXfVL1a5qxmWblTvtsAmgUP_09QeEXqMNJaeIfrUb7xhr9G2r4vrqpv1SPvbmq_WwoSVt-OI/s1043/photo4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="422" data-original-width="1043" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXjzZIjbTVtks7_2oUwIxASHKMRa18BHitGgAQVrICJB9r41U1w7tpe5nKg5Rq0QdAn_Yj-FV0oVPBtRVnCaEtcwIkLB9LByqx8WUhWsxQ6swVGs5FufZNXfVL1a5qxmWblTvtsAmgUP_09QeEXqMNJaeIfrUb7xhr9G2r4vrqpv1SPvbmq_WwoSVt-OI/w640-h258/photo4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>===</p><p>The Saitama Seibu Lions signed another foreigner with Oakland A's ties as he became available after the 2022 season. As with many, Japan becomes a different opportunity. </p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>David MacKinnon</b></span></p><p><b>Tenures: 2022 with the Oakland Athletics, 2023 with the Seibu Lions</b></p><p><b>Statistics with Oakland: 6 games, 14 PAs, .000/.071/.000, 0 HRs, 0 RBIs</b></p><p><b>Statistics with the Seibu Lions: 127 games, 514 PAs, .259/.327/.401, 15 HRs, 50 RBIs</b></p><p><b>==</b></p><p>Born and raised in the Greater Boston Area, MacKinnon was a multi-sport athlete in baseball and soccer. His skills carried over to the collegiate level where he was at the University of Hartford. </p><p>Despite having "no power" as he often remarked, MacKinnon's baseball skills were noticed in his senior season and the Los Angeles Angels drafted him in the 32nd round of the 2017 MLB Draft. </p><p>He worked his way up the ladder of the minor leagues and made his debut in the Major Leagues as a call up in Anaheim in June of 2022. It was here where he got to be teammates with MVP winners Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani. </p><p>MacKinnon appeared in 16 MLB games with the Angels as a part time infielder, where he has a promising first month but cooled off in July. In perspective, it <a href="https://theathletic.com/3392921/2022/06/30/angels-david-mackinnon-hartford/">was an improbable journey to go from a small University with dissolving sports programs to the Majors</a>. </p><p>The Angels designated him for assignment in August and the Oakland A's claimed MacKinnon off waivers. After spending some games in Las Vegas at the AAA level, the A's called him up later in the month to fill a roster space due to an injury to OF Ramon Laureano. </p><p>With Oakland, MacKinnon only appeared in six games with no hits recorded and one walk having 14 plate appearances. He scored two runs, with one after a walk and a second time as a ghost runner in extra innings. He was optioned down to AAA at the conclusion of August and non-tendered by the A's after the 2022 season ended. </p><p>The Lions signed MacKinnon to be an everyday infielder and he appeared as a starter for majority of the season, with games at 3B and 1B. His fielding and soccer skills in particular showed, giving the team's infield a boost for any ground ball pitchers.</p><p>The 2023 season was a forgettable 5th place year for the Lions where their offense lacked power and hitting for average, yet MacKinnon was one constant through all of this and he was second on the team in HRs with 15 despite having "no power". </p><p>He was thrust into the cleanup role in several games even though he's not built as a power hitter. MacKinnon was not a flashy hitter, nor slugger, but was consistent at hitting his own weight while also providing occasional pop and even brought a different observation to the strike zone and approaches to how Japan does baseball. Because of his defense, his WAR was north of 2.0. </p><p>The Lions ended up letting MacKinnon go when at negotiations by offering something so low as a sign to say they had no desire to keep him. The Lions pretended to be "in negotiations", but with no contract signed for a lengthy time after the December 1 deadline, his departure was already inevitable without formal announcement. </p><p>The Lions later signed Jesus Aguilar with the hopes of finding an infielder who can hit for home runs and have potential to be a slugger. </p><p>For the 2024 season, he signed with the Samsung Lions of KBO, a League where former teammate Dietrich Enns also joined. </p><p>MacKinnon kept himself professional and did a great job of fan service even it became public he would take the trains home. Even I was able to find both he and Bo Takahashi on a ride before we parted ways for a meet up after a game.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZJyMha4yHWWvZ2MSkz0oQ6o3mePzPdQu3mihrRZzzkJzPl2sAGqqQmDtlefAK632ergos19aYO3MhSO8tpjnhJ2ajmXBBW3o9Si8HNn4nC8I269YBnn6HLmd2A6sYmvj9FwW9FFH52Lej9SB0m1EYLcFek0660McYaT38wMB-siwMjNaWFz2IwddrvEY/s4032/PXL_20230920_130847797.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZJyMha4yHWWvZ2MSkz0oQ6o3mePzPdQu3mihrRZzzkJzPl2sAGqqQmDtlefAK632ergos19aYO3MhSO8tpjnhJ2ajmXBBW3o9Si8HNn4nC8I269YBnn6HLmd2A6sYmvj9FwW9FFH52Lej9SB0m1EYLcFek0660McYaT38wMB-siwMjNaWFz2IwddrvEY/w400-h300/PXL_20230920_130847797.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>We wish MacKinnon the best of luck in KBO. </p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">===</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 13.2px;"><b>Others in the series: </b></span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /></p><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><a href="http://graveyardbaseball.blogspot.com/2015/12/the-oakland-asseibu-lions-series-mateo.html" style="color: blue; text-decoration-line: none;">Mateo "Matty" Alou</a></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><a href="http://graveyardbaseball.blogspot.com/2015/12/the-oakland-asseibu-lions-series-john.html" style="color: blue; text-decoration-line: none;">John Wasdin</a></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><a href="http://graveyardbaseball.blogspot.com/2016/01/the-oakland-asseibu-lions-series-jose.html" style="color: blue; text-decoration-line: none;">Jose Ortiz</a></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><a href="http://graveyardbaseball.blogspot.com/2016/01/the-oakland-asseibu-lions-series-ty-van.html" style="color: blue; text-decoration-line: none;">Ty Van Burkleo</a></div><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><a href="http://graveyardbaseball.blogspot.com/2016/01/the-oakland-asseibu-lions-series-taylor.html" rel="nofollow" style="color: blue; font-size: 13.2px; text-decoration-line: none;">Taylor Duncan</a></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><a href="http://graveyardbaseball.blogspot.com/2016/01/the-oakland-asseibu-lions-series-roger.html" style="color: blue; font-size: 13.2px; text-decoration-line: none;">Roger Repoz</a><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><a href="http://graveyardbaseball.blogspot.com/2016/01/oakland-asseibu-lions-series-jim-tyrone.html" style="color: blue; font-size: 13.2px; text-decoration-line: none;">Jim Tyrone</a><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><a href="http://graveyardbaseball.blogspot.com/2016/02/oakland-asseibu-lions-series-esteban.html" style="color: blue; font-size: 13.2px; text-decoration-line: none;">Esteban German</a><span style="font-size: 13.2px;"> </span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><a href="http://graveyardbaseball.blogspot.com/2016/02/oakland-asseibu-lions-series-bert.html" style="color: blue; font-size: 13.2px; text-decoration-line: none;">Bert Campaneris</a><span style="font-size: 13.2px;"> </span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><a href="http://graveyardbaseball.blogspot.com/2016/02/oakland-asseibu-lions-series-hiram.html" style="color: blue; font-size: 13.2px; text-decoration-line: none;">Hiram Bocachica</a></p><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><a href="https://graveyardbaseball.blogspot.com/2021/02/oakland-asseibu-lions-series-dee-brown.html" style="color: blue; text-decoration-line: none;">Dee Brown</a></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><a href="https://graveyardbaseball.blogspot.com/2021/02/oakland-as-seibu-lions-series-neil.html" style="color: blue; text-decoration-line: none;">Neil Wagner </a></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><a href="https://graveyardbaseball.blogspot.com/2021/02/oakland-as-seibu-lions-series-sean-nolin.html" style="color: blue; text-decoration-line: none;">Sean Nolin</a></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><a href="https://graveyardbaseball.blogspot.com/2022/01/oakland-as-seibu-lions-series-brian.html" style="color: blue; text-decoration-line: none;">Brian Schlitter</a></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><a href="https://graveyardbaseball.blogspot.com/2022/02/oakland-as-seibu-lions-series-zach-neal.html" style="color: blue; text-decoration-line: none;">Zach Neal</a></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><a href="https://graveyardbaseball.blogspot.com/2022/12/oakland-as-seibu-lions-series-burch.html" style="color: blue; text-decoration-line: none;">Burch Smith</a><br /><br />===</div><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">Follow us on X <a href="http://twitter.com/graveyardball" style="color: blue; text-decoration-line: none;">@GraveyardBall</a></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8741953424210555772.post-72894802849018281472024-01-05T15:42:00.000-08:002024-01-05T15:44:02.369-08:00Ohtani took team player role with Dodgers for Yamamoto, teammates <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjmEw_q64MhKVZcGUd2nAwN11PWKREBXrEtPAELcqh9WDiiGXgsUvkHD2Mrs9oy5Av9shncRuS22y0jXSQ9h8ClfoQOoaLINfZ_sBxvWohHVDiKUIL3h1anrd6tTmDDB52VH_ahyvi8cvB8UjDJhpUPo6M5F4Hs4gsIXV-aTZ_sl-hXfn5ES9zKNK5XWkA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjmEw_q64MhKVZcGUd2nAwN11PWKREBXrEtPAELcqh9WDiiGXgsUvkHD2Mrs9oy5Av9shncRuS22y0jXSQ9h8ClfoQOoaLINfZ_sBxvWohHVDiKUIL3h1anrd6tTmDDB52VH_ahyvi8cvB8UjDJhpUPo6M5F4Hs4gsIXV-aTZ_sl-hXfn5ES9zKNK5XWkA=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>===</p><p>Shohei Ohtani <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C0pR_vyvLpR/?hl=en">casually announced</a> on his Instagram he would sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers. </p><p>In his introductory press conference, Ohtani politely thanked the Angels before signing with LA, but gave clear reasoning why he joined the team across the freeway: He wants to win.</p><p>"I mean obviously I want to win championships, and I want when people look back at the championships I won," Ohtani <a href="https://theathletic.com/5138379/2023/12/14/shohei-ohtani-transcript-annotated-dodgers-press-conference/">said through his interpreter</a>, Ippei Mizuhara. "I want people to know or think that I was a core member, and I was a big deal, or I was a big part of that championship winning team."</p><p>His contract became a 10 year, $700 million contract with deferred payments beginning in 2034 for a combined $680 million after his playing tenure would end.</p><p>It was clear Ohtani proposed this idea to all teams who wanted to pursue him in order to help them sign other players and stay easy against the Competitive Balance Tax (CBT).</p><p>In turn, the Dodgers were able to sign Yoshinobu Yamamoto (12 year, $325 million with opt outs) and Tyler Glasnow (5 year, $135.5 million extension through 2029). </p><p>Ohtani <a href="https://graveyardbaseball.blogspot.com/2023/08/angels-waste-years-of-shohei-ohtani.html">comes from a team who wasted six years of his career</a>, no winning record despite winning multiple MVP awards and being teammates with a three-time MVP in Mike Trout. </p><p>Health was an issue, but the Angels could never win with the poorly constricted pitching staff. </p><p>While he won't pitch a game in 2024, coming off an alternative surgery to traditional Tommy John, he should have an impact immediately for the Dodgers offense. In fact, he's in a shadow with players who are already great in Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman.</p><p>Later in December, Yamamoto had his introductory press conference and while he carefully dodged questions about Ohtani as his teammate, he also wanted to win as his primary desire. </p><p><span face="proxima-nova, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; font-size: 18px;">“It was very important to me to go to a team that wants to win,” <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YFEK5g58uU">Yamamoto said through his interpreter Mako Allbee</a>. “And not only now, but in the future as well. I really felt that through this whole process, the Dodgers provided that opportunity to the most.” </span></p><p>Despite the significant signings by the Dodgers, their rotation is still flawed on paper given who is coming off injury. </p><p>The recently acquired Glasnow had an oblique injury in 2023 and missed nearly two months of action. </p><p>Walker Buehler is coming off Tommy John surgery as is Dustin May, who will likely miss all of 2024. Last postseason, the Dodgers had nearly no starting pitchers remaining with Clayton Kershaw laying an egg against the Arizona Diamondbacks. </p><p>Nothing is a surefire thing, but Yamamoto and Ohtani should give them a boost for this season ahead.</p><p>From a marketing standpoint, Ohtani's presence pays for itself and the Angels learned this by not wanting to trade him. An automatic cash cow, plenty of visitors from Japan will visit Chavez Ravine like they did for Hideo Nomo nearly three decades ago.</p><p>The Dodgers spent several offseasons being mostly inactive or letting other players walk when they can afford it. Most notably, Trea Turner signed with the Philadelphia Phillies one year ago, Justin Turner joined the Boston Red Sox, Cody Bellinger signed with the Chicago Cubs (he's currently a free agent at the time of this writing), and even two years ago, Cory Seager signed a massive contract with the Texas Rangers.</p><p>It was this offseason they put all their resources into wanting Ohtani after missing out on him in 2017. </p><p>For Ohtani, he gives back right away with the recent earthquake in Ishikawa prefecture and the Dodgers matched his donation. Los Angeles is known for stars in Hollywood, yet it will be Ohtani carrying the baseball world and bringing others with him. </p><p>===</p><p>Follow us on X <a href="http://Twitter.com/graveyardball">@GraveyardBall</a></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8741953424210555772.post-17374643388632197672023-12-20T12:26:00.000-08:002023-12-20T12:26:53.924-08:00Seibu Lions add Jesus Aguilar<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgTuIVA8v_hEBEH7-5KKa5QY_HDmCqAa9ICAnpRoh4vyI8b3WItCtNv40PR46_Ze71CoU8VZ4K8fwAQHmI5AVl9TexbiifFZyxMUVSyDLYIDJin7guSpDmdv4dWGHxdRq18HNemT7NfZ7GqDAN5eGU1q2hz1Mhmo-g5Moh5IX5IBXpUxeaE4gtn_q-s1Qc" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1536" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgTuIVA8v_hEBEH7-5KKa5QY_HDmCqAa9ICAnpRoh4vyI8b3WItCtNv40PR46_Ze71CoU8VZ4K8fwAQHmI5AVl9TexbiifFZyxMUVSyDLYIDJin7guSpDmdv4dWGHxdRq18HNemT7NfZ7GqDAN5eGU1q2hz1Mhmo-g5Moh5IX5IBXpUxeaE4gtn_q-s1Qc" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>The Saitama Seibu Lions <a href="https://www.seibulions.jp/news/detail/202300366148.html">announced</a> the signing of Jesus Aguilar on Thursday. </p><p>Aguilar, 33, has nearly 800 MLB games in his career spanning across 10 seasons. Most notably he won a fan vote for the 2018 MLB All Star game with the Milwaukee Brewers. </p><p>In 2023, Aguilar started the season with the Oakland Athletics before being designated for assignment in May. He spent the rest of 2023 in the Atlanta Braves minor league system at the AAA level with a slash line of .271/.373/.379. </p><p>With the recent loss of Hotaka Yamakawa to free agency, the Lions will slot Aguilar at the 1B position which also replaces David MacKinmon's roster spot.</p><p>On paper, he has potential to provide more pop, a Lions team who lacked power hitting had MacKinnon leading the way at 15 HRs in 2023.</p><p>By default, Aguilar becomes a core-4 player on an anemic offense and will be a critical reason the Lions will have success or falter. He's the highest paid foreigners at just north of ¥210 million with the most experience.</p><p>Home runs came at a premium and the Lions believe he can be the cleanup hitter the team was missing last year. </p><p>The Lions also <a href="https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/32f6f1fbd732c7cc3beee4f6fa913f53f4f0bbf5">signed</a> pitcher Jefry Yan, as the team now has five foreigners under contract joining Aguilar, Franchy Cordero and Albert Abreu. Yan saw AAA as the highest level of baseball with some shares of dominance in AA. </p><p>===</p><p><i>Follow us on Twitter <a href="http://Twitter.com/graveyardball">@GraveyardBall</a></i></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8741953424210555772.post-20821988291477311112023-12-07T01:49:00.000-08:002023-12-07T01:49:56.820-08:00Report: Lions sign Abreu, Cordero among new foreigners <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgveB9bb3yZTtpYLnJrLU15DhVhfSWeFf6LfgeGVHlg09yFMNPux28GPA-BdlPKmiHrGdXecZAg_WC_WK1hD0RNVdKPnPeM2UTwUJ9psYEXR6f0E70vc47jjQU7WNvPsDGPstnvlVZVjlIS04_P9H5sEwMU1oex8AFhjoPXP5uUGnDKOuP2N03h41LnRuk" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgveB9bb3yZTtpYLnJrLU15DhVhfSWeFf6LfgeGVHlg09yFMNPux28GPA-BdlPKmiHrGdXecZAg_WC_WK1hD0RNVdKPnPeM2UTwUJ9psYEXR6f0E70vc47jjQU7WNvPsDGPstnvlVZVjlIS04_P9H5sEwMU1oex8AFhjoPXP5uUGnDKOuP2N03h41LnRuk=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>The Saitama Seibu Lions <a href="https://www.seibulions.jp/news/detail/202300362860.html">announced</a> on Thursday that they signed RHP Albert Abreu and OF Franchy Cordero. </p><p>Abreu, 28, was part of the New York Yankees bullpen in 2023 where he pitched 59 MLB innings with a 4.73 ERA in middle relief. </p><p>Most of his role was as a mop up duty pitcher with occasional medium leverage outings. He's capable of hitting 100 mph (161 km/h) and the Lions hope he can be a closer. Control and command are two weaknesses he will need to work on in order to have a successful time in Japan. </p><p>He was initially part of the Houston Astros as an amateur free agent and a trading piece for Brian McCann in 2016. Abreu also has brief stints with the Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals in 2022.</p><p>Cordero, 29, was also with the Yankees in 2023, appearing in only 24 games. His career-high in MLB games for a single season is 84, with the Boston Red Sox in 2022.</p><p>According to statcast, he can make very hard contact capable<a href="https://www.fantraxhq.com/statcast-101-barrel-rates-launch-angle/"> of hitting "barrels</a>". In the last four season, his batting average hovered the Mendoza line, yet if he made contact, it could go deep as he hit eight home runs in 2022.</p><p>The Lions have missed power hitting with no one close to 20 HRs in 2023. Cordero could be a heavy boom or bust signing with no middle ground. How does he adapt to Japanese pitching? That's a question to be answered. </p><p>===</p><p>Follow us on X <a href="http://Twitter.com/graveyardball">@GraveyardBall</a></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8741953424210555772.post-58397400502765473672023-12-06T01:21:00.000-08:002023-12-06T05:15:01.527-08:00Report: Lions have stopped negotiating with David MacKinnon<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQECZ9HUoBaQIzr3mbcc_YzaFVS2h6zMuKZFjtsswYmZMQ0h5WMiYaQSma1iNoyypBVnzJ-BR4L_euqdUkl6QhszkP57Q_ZgJOcrlCdvsCbNxLJNcPVDCRRDKpapXmNrLAwwIMB9rTQOR5kDZTElAGlJNnWdm9JVW5T9Q_jjkQ7xzU-o8EDtczOndawaU" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1069" data-original-width="981" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQECZ9HUoBaQIzr3mbcc_YzaFVS2h6zMuKZFjtsswYmZMQ0h5WMiYaQSma1iNoyypBVnzJ-BR4L_euqdUkl6QhszkP57Q_ZgJOcrlCdvsCbNxLJNcPVDCRRDKpapXmNrLAwwIMB9rTQOR5kDZTElAGlJNnWdm9JVW5T9Q_jjkQ7xzU-o8EDtczOndawaU" width="220" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>The Saitama Seibu Lions offseason took a different turn. In a stage of negotiations, a source reports IF David MacKinnon will not return to the Lions for 2024.</p><p>MacKinnon, who will be 29 later this month, had a productive first season in Japan for the Lions with a .728 OPS and 15 HRs, which the latter led the team. </p><p>An everyday infielder at either first or third base, MacKinnon kept his job until a brief injury took place in August. </p><p>He <a href="https://nishispo.nishinippon.co.jp/article/804246">became a free agent officially on December 1</a> when the deadline passed. Dietrich Enns and Nien Ting Wu were also designated in this category. </p><p>General Manager Hisanobu "Nabe-Q" Watanabe made statements of being "in negotiations" with MacKinnon and his agent on reaching a contract, yet it took longer than expected.</p><p>Both sides failed to reach an agreement and MacKinnon is free to sign anywhere.</p><p>The last time the Lions let a foreign player walk in NPB free agency was Dennis Sarfate, where he was with the team in 2013, but then signed with the Softbank Hawks and finished his playing career in Fukuoka. </p><p>===</p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Lions retain Hirai</b></span></p><p>The Lions had other free agents to worry about as RP Katsunori Hirai filed his domestic FA option. However, it was <a href="https://www.nikkansports.com/m/baseball/news/202312060000014_m.html">announced</a> on Wednesday that he will stay with the Lions on a multi-year contract. </p><p>In 2023, he threw in 54 games with a 2.55 ERA and 28 holds.</p><p>===</p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Wu departs Lions</b></span></p><p>In an emotional farewell, Nien Ting Wu <a href="https://full-count.jp/2023/12/01/post1479981/">announced</a> his intention to return to Taiwan and play in the CPBL. </p><p>Wu, 30, was mostly a reserve infielder and saw very few starts aside from 2016. Despite tearing it up in ni-gun, there was no room for him at the ichi-gun level unless Sosuke Genda or Shuta Tonosaki were injured. </p><p>He was originally a 7th round draft pick of the Lions in 2015 and his father played alongside Nabe-Q. </p><p>===</p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Yamakawa remains a free agent</b></span></p><p>Hotaka Yamakawa, former Pacific League MVP, filed his domestic FA option and has not found a suitor yet.</p><p>The Lions only offered him a one-year contract. In 2023, he was suspended by the team for majority of the season after alleged inappropriate sexual assault on a woman. </p><p>He was legally cleared with no indictment, but the Lions chose not to play him for the remainder of the season as he only practiced with the san-gun unit. </p><p>===</p><p><i>Follow us on X <a href="http://Twitter.com/graveyardball">@GraveyardBall</a></i></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8741953424210555772.post-40766854527371911552023-10-28T15:59:00.002-07:002023-10-29T00:33:57.350-07:002023 NPB Draft: A summary of each Lions pick<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyGU0ZP4bVSvY1qL7nnFuKJDZneZOv9Jf4a-pyY0Bk7DgfkPXXBKszliFKebBRU-4TXEnQGD3tc2DFYq5WjHDudNwjLpIqwOuf_RtXlvqp6xhvyf45oo8vpZtr-FKl8cDSqezjyjr3tmtb8Ul7yi_lFerKrDQf_S234ErNeQggIEVvYb3BfhozqOk8Pf4/s1920/photo1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyGU0ZP4bVSvY1qL7nnFuKJDZneZOv9Jf4a-pyY0Bk7DgfkPXXBKszliFKebBRU-4TXEnQGD3tc2DFYq5WjHDudNwjLpIqwOuf_RtXlvqp6xhvyf45oo8vpZtr-FKl8cDSqezjyjr3tmtb8Ul7yi_lFerKrDQf_S234ErNeQggIEVvYb3BfhozqOk8Pf4/w640-h360/photo1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>===</p><p>The Saitama Seibu Lions drafted a total of 13 players combined in the 2023 NPB Draft and ikusei rounds. </p><p>Their first round had some thrill to it with winning a three-way drawing for the rights to LHP Natsuki Takeuchi. Here is a summary of each pick:</p><p>===</p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Round 1: LHP Natsuki Takeuchi </b></span><b><span style="font-size: large;">武内 夏暉</span></b></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiD48TSKF2E_P2FUnR9evUC85Pt8gy9WRKUYfiPzuInsEt1oz95t4JS1B1N9m2XBIaMuQlDlZFySmJlwhrTDO_P7cY71feNQK7FC7F8jZ4PrGul-sU-cf4z0ELtt17oYgBPd54qi7PuSN8DfRNd0vJyTxGXziiCKwVotISY2D96ggX8MPh53vftZGGXZS8" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="532" data-original-width="600" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiD48TSKF2E_P2FUnR9evUC85Pt8gy9WRKUYfiPzuInsEt1oz95t4JS1B1N9m2XBIaMuQlDlZFySmJlwhrTDO_P7cY71feNQK7FC7F8jZ4PrGul-sU-cf4z0ELtt17oYgBPd54qi7PuSN8DfRNd0vJyTxGXziiCKwVotISY2D96ggX8MPh53vftZGGXZS8=w400-h354" width="400" /></a></b></span></div><p></p><div><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">College:</b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"> Koku Gakuin (Tokyo)</span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">High School:</b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"> Yahata Minami (Fukuoka)</span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">Date of Birth:</b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"> July 21, 2001</span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">Height:</b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"> 185 cm (6' q")</span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">Weight:</b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"> 90 kg (198 lbs)</span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">Throws/Bats: </b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 13.2px;">Left/Left</span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 13.2px;">Takeuchi is viewed as one of the best players available in this draft. He can hit 153 km/H while throwing a fastball, slider, changeup and curve ball. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 13.2px;">For his college career, he was a star in his junior season and remained a starter. He also participated in the national Japan-America University baseball tournament as a reliever..</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 13.2px;">The Lions likely had him as the No. 1 ok ayer on their draft board valuing both his velocity and excellence in control. This also shores up the depth for the left-handed rotation to join Chihiro Sumida. If everything goes right, he could be inserted into the starting rotation to begin the 2024 season. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 13.2px;">Trivially as a Fukuoka Prefecture native, his inspiration and game is modeled after Tsuyoshi Wada and he was a fan club member for the Softbank Hawks since elementary school. He's also a fan of the restaurant chain Sukesan Udon.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 13.2px;"><b>Team quote: </b>"He is a skillful and clever pitcher with good control and a high level of perfection."</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 13.2px;">===</span></p><p><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-size: large;"><b>Round 2: RHP Taiga Ueda </b></span><b><span style="font-size: large;">(上田 大河)</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;"></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhErKAmEneWAjLkUra0IyZkaU6fZxS1bj5shu0vX5QpeEn2zJB6zirZgpHMNnLZ2RSPHFGiriOc-O2k536XWCN_2_TaE69c6TtFfZcjlxgZ8chih7IqdRpLkMGatk1lBkBFp9wXDdlaBatKQOiAbl4EcgrC_wGREuroCwa0J88VeHXhiFjTgJX_9pBniXo" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="441" data-original-width="640" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhErKAmEneWAjLkUra0IyZkaU6fZxS1bj5shu0vX5QpeEn2zJB6zirZgpHMNnLZ2RSPHFGiriOc-O2k536XWCN_2_TaE69c6TtFfZcjlxgZ8chih7IqdRpLkMGatk1lBkBFp9wXDdlaBatKQOiAbl4EcgrC_wGREuroCwa0J88VeHXhiFjTgJX_9pBniXo=w400-h276" width="400" /></a></span></b></div><p></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">College:</b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"> Osaka Shogyo (Osaka)</span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">High School:</b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"> Osaka Shogyo (Osaka)</span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">Date of Birth:</b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"> November 15, 2001</span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">Height:</b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"> 182 cm (6' 0")</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">Weight:</b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"> 86 kg (190 lbs)</span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">Throws/Bats:</b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"> </span><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 13.2px;">Right</span><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 13.2px;">/Right</span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" />Ueda has experience as both a reliever and starter with the ability to top out at 154 km/h. Besides a fastball, he can also throw a cutter, changeup, slider, curve and fork ball. </p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">He emerged in his senior season with a low ERA of 1.33 and was part of the national championship tournament.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">With his power pitching abilities, he could develop into an effective reliever. </p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 13.2px;"></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">Team Quote:</b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"> "He is a highly capable, tough and ready-to-play pitcher with a high physical strength</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 13.2px;">."</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 13.2px;">===</span></p><p><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-size: large;"><b>Round 3: LHP Haruki Sugiyama </b></span><b><span style="font-size: large;">(杉山 遙希)</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;"></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4w47C-CTdbcJ-m_ftiiwtVCtw5cWYXScRG-SHmPHzatfIIPI45ITClpkqYHMW0Pvh-OjC6gr-avvxHlC0rk1n6gWrRYtznra7pO7VtTDsdwjmAf2A1-DIWiUpe24rtaNb5RmFdEeV938b9bevSx9ywiDLv27_Bt8pPH1fXn2VeN0OR43NhATm7A8KPPI/s633/photo4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="403" data-original-width="633" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4w47C-CTdbcJ-m_ftiiwtVCtw5cWYXScRG-SHmPHzatfIIPI45ITClpkqYHMW0Pvh-OjC6gr-avvxHlC0rk1n6gWrRYtznra7pO7VtTDsdwjmAf2A1-DIWiUpe24rtaNb5RmFdEeV938b9bevSx9ywiDLv27_Bt8pPH1fXn2VeN0OR43NhATm7A8KPPI/w400-h255/photo4.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div></div></div><p></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">High School:</b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"> Yokohama (Kanagawa)</span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">Date of Birth:</b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"> S</span>eptember 23, 2005</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">Height:</b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"> 181 cm (5' 11")</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">Weight:</b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"> 80 kg (176 lbs)</span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">Throws/Bats:</b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"> Lef</span><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 13.2px;">t</span><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 13.2px;">/Left</span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" />Sugiyama has a max velocity of 147 km/H and can throw a fastball, curve, slider and changeup. He was the ace pitcher at Yokohama High School for three seasons and pitched at the Koshien tournament in two of them. Notably, he gave up a losing home run to eventual Kanagawa and national tournament champions Keio High school in his senior season. </p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">The Lions see a future left-handed pitcher who could be a rotation candidate down the line. He appears to be a control pitcher and should develop in a few years. </p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 13.2px;"></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">Team Quote:</b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"> "He is a skilled left-handed pitcher who has a sharp fast ball and is also highly accurate with his breaking balls</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 13.2px;">."</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 13.2px;">===</span></p><p style="background-color: white;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-size: large;"><b>Round 4: RHP Harusei Narita (</b></span><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><b>成田 晴風)</b></span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi48JsqJpdLLcF0k_FNWSN0mgXUs2TNwaCTVeTRWhYBHviQiqiswmNukGf7DMFVLYCRLSMO-Tzq7EcDLdrvhHyG9So-bEct7SAuCoziigEcEpxm_2YbY3kNLLhPLc_yt4ddMG97SsEXW7zlm1g8jXLIlHZN9G6DiPL6yRKQAv37qKzJy2MHdF21so7FCiA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1080" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi48JsqJpdLLcF0k_FNWSN0mgXUs2TNwaCTVeTRWhYBHviQiqiswmNukGf7DMFVLYCRLSMO-Tzq7EcDLdrvhHyG9So-bEct7SAuCoziigEcEpxm_2YbY3kNLLhPLc_yt4ddMG97SsEXW7zlm1g8jXLIlHZN9G6DiPL6yRKQAv37qKzJy2MHdF21so7FCiA=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></span></div><p></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">High School: </b><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">H</span>irosaki Kogyo (Aomori)</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">Date of Birth: </b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;">February 27, 2006</span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">Height: </b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;">185 cm (6' 1")</span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">Weight: </b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;">86 kg (190 lbs)</span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">Throws/Bats: </b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;">Right</span><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;">/Right</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">Narita has a fastball that can top out at 150 km/h with the ability to also throw a slider, Curve, cutter, changeup and fork. His ability to mix up his pitches and versatility likely drew attention of the scouts. He has no Koshien tournament experience and his school only finished as high as the Aomori Prefectural semi-finals. </p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">His velocity and size should only improve with time as he's only 17 at the time of this writing. In a few years of developing, Narita could be a rotation candidate. </p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">Trivially, his family farms both tomatoes and asparagus. </p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><b>Team quote: </b>"He is a pitcher who can push through with force and throw a variety of breaking balls with high horsepower (velocity)."</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">===</p><p style="background-color: white;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><b>Round 5: RHP Taisei Miyazawa (</b></span><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><b>宮澤 太成)</b></span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq_zLl6TGkmnluMFkXHwkbaTgIAvcSd287mVIFbgL8hW8uFNSKHqN0ieK5yz7qhM5EdBgJ1mcwxG-x2iORQVYUEjmcnzAa86THYjDNsUq8e0Pa25OppUxgZ4Qee3fKteNAflQXI1xMbyp_6wu0U4XMZmPVtTkEYn9ijPNMPwrbiVckyhV_Z8vm76BQgPA/s900/photo4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq_zLl6TGkmnluMFkXHwkbaTgIAvcSd287mVIFbgL8hW8uFNSKHqN0ieK5yz7qhM5EdBgJ1mcwxG-x2iORQVYUEjmcnzAa86THYjDNsUq8e0Pa25OppUxgZ4Qee3fKteNAflQXI1xMbyp_6wu0U4XMZmPVtTkEYn9ijPNMPwrbiVckyhV_Z8vm76BQgPA/w400-h266/photo4.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="background-color: transparent;"><b style="font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></b></span></div><div style="font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="background-color: transparent;"><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">Independent League Team:</b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"> Tokushima Indigo Socks (Tokushima)</span></span></div><p></p><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><p><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">College:</b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"> Hokkaido (Hokkaido)</span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">High School:</b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"> Nagano (Nagano)</span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">Date of Birth:</b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"> April 15, 1999</span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">Height:</b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"> 185 cm (6' 1")</span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">Weight:</b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"> 95 kg (209 lbs)</span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">Throws/Bats:</b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"> </span><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 13.2px;">Right</span><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 13.2px;">/Right</span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /></p><p>Miyazawa has a maximum velocity of 155 km/h and can throw a curve, fastball and fork ball. He only played in the Shikoku Island League for the 2023 season after earning his way on through a tryout. He sat out his senior year in college due to an injury, but strengthened himself after rehab. </p><p>This resulted in a very unconventional path to baseball. While playing independent League baseball in the Shikoku Island league, he was also taking classes to finish his degree at Hokkaido University, a Division II baseball program. He became the <a href="https://www.hokudai.ac.jp/news/2023/10/45-1.html">first baseball player drafted in university</a> history. </p><p>In one season with the Tokushima Indigo Socks, he threw away a reliever and has only 19.1 innings of work. With the Lions, he could be a relief pitcher if the coaches can fix his command. </p><p><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">Team Quote:</b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"> "He is an attractive pitcher with two distinctive forkballs and a powerful fastball</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 13.2px;">."</span></p></div><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;">===</p><p style="background-color: white;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><b>Round 6: IF Leon Murata (</b></span><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><b>村田 怜音)</b></span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2F2eco0tvp_Pdw4zQVtGjDNbMkfNW2J8Zw_ioNAG9UretWud03WeKZZhHoSGxx4dpshuSDGR_dQXi-FH2uXOvlrI3vAhPs84-UHK78Z7XJNNCqv14ag5FjgHw7eYVePP5-nnwuGbpfpGsx3rELwRYkgSlLLDohigjxZDUJDQd8h1wBUBD_KIy99LEpxk/s1280/photo4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2F2eco0tvp_Pdw4zQVtGjDNbMkfNW2J8Zw_ioNAG9UretWud03WeKZZhHoSGxx4dpshuSDGR_dQXi-FH2uXOvlrI3vAhPs84-UHK78Z7XJNNCqv14ag5FjgHw7eYVePP5-nnwuGbpfpGsx3rELwRYkgSlLLDohigjxZDUJDQd8h1wBUBD_KIy99LEpxk/w400-h266/photo4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">College:</b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"> Kogakkan (Mie)</span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">High School:</b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"> Ouka (Mie)</span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">Date of Birth:</b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"> August 4, 2001</span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">Height:</b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"> 196 cm (6' 5")</span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">Weight:</b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"> 110 kg (243 lbs)</span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">Throws/Bats:</b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"> </span><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 13.2px;">Right</span><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 13.2px;">/Right</span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br /></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">Murata was the cleanup hitter in college and showed he can hit with power. He earned the cleanup hitting position in his freshman season and attracted the attention of scouts at various university tournament games. </p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">Mostly a first baseman, he provides immediate competition for a position of need with Kento Watanabe. How can he hit against professional is the question. </p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">Team Quote:</b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"> "Although he is raw, his power hitting made him attractive</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 13.2px;">. He can be a cleanup hitter in the future."</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 13.2px;">===</span></p><p style="background-color: white;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-size: large;"><b>Round 7: RHP Ryota Itogawa (</b></span><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><b>糸川 亮太)</b></span></span></p><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><b style="font-size: 13.2px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjkRdwI73y_rwEQbj7ckedRiY0bIqC9a72Y4OTifXydTgzLIVHa3BHUhUabyWLH62QB5mAtCnOK4_l7ty4AJ-CMZKu-qPKr5xK3T06G_zXqFd_NYRAlv3aWJgohugBMaoWd2pZGVbE5FASePMd1JoLNdjiP_JTk-fD3Y9VYO0tZJuIhtcMjbEPBs4gC_4/s3568/photo4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2368" data-original-width="3568" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjkRdwI73y_rwEQbj7ckedRiY0bIqC9a72Y4OTifXydTgzLIVHa3BHUhUabyWLH62QB5mAtCnOK4_l7ty4AJ-CMZKu-qPKr5xK3T06G_zXqFd_NYRAlv3aWJgohugBMaoWd2pZGVbE5FASePMd1JoLNdjiP_JTk-fD3Y9VYO0tZJuIhtcMjbEPBs4gC_4/w400-h265/photo4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></b></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">Industrial League Team:</b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"> ENEOS (Kanagawa)</span></div><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: large;"></span></p><div style="background-color: white;"><p style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">College:</b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"> Rissho (Tokyo)</span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">High School:</b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"> Kawanoe (Ehime)</span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">Date of Birth:</b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"> April 30, 1998</span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">Height:</b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"> 174 cm (5' 9")</span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">Weight:</b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"> 77 kg (170 lbs)</span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">Throws/Bats:</b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"> </span><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 13.2px;">Right</span><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 13.2px;">/Right</span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br /></p><p style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">Itogawa can throw as fast as 149 km/h with a fastball, slider, curve, sinker and changeup in his arsenal. He has experience as a starter and reliever. Itogawa's breaking balls are his specialty with the sinker being a main weapon while also having good control. </p><p style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">Notably, he was teammates with fellow draftee Ryuki Watarai (first round pick of the Yokohama DeNA Baystars) at ENEOS as they won a shakaijin championship together. For the championship game, he was the winning staffing pitcher. He was once on the collegiate Samurai Japan team. </p><p style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">The Lions really liked his breaking pitches and think he could come in as a reliever. </p><p style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">Team Quote:</b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"> "He is a pitcher with an effective sinker. We are looking forward to him being an immediate ichi-gun pitcher.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 13.2px;">"</span></p><p style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"></p><p style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">===</p><p style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Ikusei round</b></span></p><p><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><b>Round 1: LHP </b></span><b style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Joseph </b><b style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Konosuke </b><b style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Sinclair </b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><b> ジョセフ 孝ノ助 </b></span><b style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">シンクレア</b></p><p style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMaJd7Lk86CgbLnivuNOz5ESxZXyU6yNVzhgbZp_kD56kPJzs3g7LgnjwbL3hVoc82XfLzThe6cnUISNQ8OoBjW0hhSGjpIuKS-k68WdAFLkPlvxeMZ-OJx5lYzEEcZReUdn_yFFkpJAZrFxt0bruRJjTICNcBzwEEnDvv-YXheesN65uAUdD0KnxbLEU/s1012/photo4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="624" data-original-width="1012" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMaJd7Lk86CgbLnivuNOz5ESxZXyU6yNVzhgbZp_kD56kPJzs3g7LgnjwbL3hVoc82XfLzThe6cnUISNQ8OoBjW0hhSGjpIuKS-k68WdAFLkPlvxeMZ-OJx5lYzEEcZReUdn_yFFkpJAZrFxt0bruRJjTICNcBzwEEnDvv-YXheesN65uAUdD0KnxbLEU/w400-h246/photo4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><div style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">Independent League Team:</b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"> Tokushima Indigo Socks (Tokushima)</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><p><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">College:</b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"> Mary (North Dakota), Cochise Junior College (Arizona)</span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">High School:</b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"> John Oliver (Vancouver, British Columbia)</span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">Date of Birth:</b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"> June 12, 2001</span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">Height:</b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"> 193 cm (6' 4")</span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">Weight:</b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"> 94 kg (207 lbs)</span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">Throws/Bats:</b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"> Left</span><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 13.2px;">/Right</span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /></p><p>Primarily a relief pitcher, he had a dominant 27 innings of work in 2023 with 22 strikeouts. His top speed is 151 km/h where he can throw a two-sean fastball and a slider. </p><p>Sinclair is a half-Canadian Japanese born citizen with a Canadian father. He was also part team Canada during the Little League World Championship. He was born in Saitama Prefecture. </p><p><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">Team Quote:</b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"> "He is a pitcher who has an angular fastball and slider that has an advantage due to his height.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 13.2px;">"</span></p><p></p><p style="font-size: 13.2px;">===</p></div><p style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><b>Round 2: RHP </b><b>Asahi Taniguchi</b></p><p style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhAlT5VPHYIEQcxhHVWYIjTKRVU5uEoocz-4GZ1OiUM13SWPjlKwWPUFIkBkrGSdYH1XiqcTUs9t2EsFTyIbktyqtec5Ii0TKQ4VHbUNBGhkqWfof9uiVxskvfRASjpqTd_IMDleoJFNpE4EiLv2sH9ujaFxhUsLGwsuaT73mSyH6a11PvrQes5cHBUE_w" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="433" data-original-width="640" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhAlT5VPHYIEQcxhHVWYIjTKRVU5uEoocz-4GZ1OiUM13SWPjlKwWPUFIkBkrGSdYH1XiqcTUs9t2EsFTyIbktyqtec5Ii0TKQ4VHbUNBGhkqWfof9uiVxskvfRASjpqTd_IMDleoJFNpE4EiLv2sH9ujaFxhUsLGwsuaT73mSyH6a11PvrQes5cHBUE_w=w400-h271" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">Independent League Team:</b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"> Tokushima Indigo Socks (Tokushima)</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><p><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">High School:</b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"> Koryo (Hiroshima)</span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">Date of Birth:</b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"> April 3, 2004</span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">Height:</b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"> 185 cm (6' 1")</span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">Weight:</b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"> 8</span>5 kg (187 lbs)</p><p><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">Throws/Bats:</b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"> Right</span><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 13.2px;">/Right</span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br /></p><p>Taniguchi was only drafted for potential and age, being 19 at the time of this writing. </p><p>Control was largest problem when he was a pitcher. He is mostly an athlete who needs refining. The Lions see him as a position player instead of pitcher.</p><p>One year removed from high school, Taniguchi has very minimal experience in recorded games. </p><p>He appeared in only 3 games with the Indigo Socks as a reliever and had one relief appearance in high school during the Hiroshima prefectural Koshien qualifier tournament. </p><p><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">Team Quote:</b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"> "He has great physical traits and plenty of room to grow. There are high hopes for him as a fielder.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 13.2px;">"</span></p></div><p style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;">===</p><p><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><b>Round 3: LHP Masahiro Kawashimo (川下将</b></span><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><b>勲)</b></span></p><p style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFmQgt1Tw2VyhP90fcvdKBV3anypRfx8lPF7I_LkQni6hx_b60T8FUObdeEP0LUZxie58WSdo-6Dr3jhXjIpU-rdgkCl1kDb1zvECv3AYMCFTS5yr8qm63tvuozB9uNNTpLcA-rt7xFKwDEcHZkTSqbT0QEwzot-DeqHwYLqaaJRIgSrVHA2l3k0aXes4/s492/photo4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="356" data-original-width="492" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFmQgt1Tw2VyhP90fcvdKBV3anypRfx8lPF7I_LkQni6hx_b60T8FUObdeEP0LUZxie58WSdo-6Dr3jhXjIpU-rdgkCl1kDb1zvECv3AYMCFTS5yr8qm63tvuozB9uNNTpLcA-rt7xFKwDEcHZkTSqbT0QEwzot-DeqHwYLqaaJRIgSrVHA2l3k0aXes4/w400-h290/photo4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><p></p><p style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">High School:</b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"> Hakodate Yuto (Hokkaido)</span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">Date of Birth:</b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"> April 3, 2005</span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">Height:</b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"> 186 cm (6' 1")</span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">Weight:</b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"> 72 kg (159 lbs)</span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">Throws/Bats:</b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"> Left</span><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 13.2px;">/Left</span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /></p><p style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">Kawashimo was the ace for his high school and will need to bulk up in order to earn a promotion. He can top out at 142 km/h with a slider, changeup, curve and fastball in his arsenal. </p><p style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">He has an unusual form when pitching with a high knee lift, but this could be an advantage with time. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><p style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">Team Quote:</b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"> "He has a well-balanced form and is a pitcher who can throw angular fastballs from his tall body</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 13.2px;">."</span></p></div></div><p style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;">===</p><p style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Round 4: IF Koji Kaneko (金子功児)</b></span></p><p style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjsc5DKAhsqZvSwhmITvLi6gqWiYwlD_RbhcKXcEDiMuqZ1G0o3FXuFZikc2S3GDnrazrFvgV6pLXleEjzbeLu6ZGoBFcR4htIGdWmZ9HvT4gHxqVvcYRuTH-d9YT1s_0tc4qdYu9tT5L7PtAov9c9PGZze2w5nkpNxZQhbvo01Wq7HtcvYhqhs1VUNfvs" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="620" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjsc5DKAhsqZvSwhmITvLi6gqWiYwlD_RbhcKXcEDiMuqZ1G0o3FXuFZikc2S3GDnrazrFvgV6pLXleEjzbeLu6ZGoBFcR4htIGdWmZ9HvT4gHxqVvcYRuTH-d9YT1s_0tc4qdYu9tT5L7PtAov9c9PGZze2w5nkpNxZQhbvo01Wq7HtcvYhqhs1VUNfvs=w400-h194" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><div style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">Independent League Team:</b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"> Saitama Musashi Heat Bears (Saitama, BC League)</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><p><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">High School:</b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"> Komyo Gakuin Sagaminara (Kanagawa)</span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">Date of Birth:</b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"> September 2, 2003</span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">Height:</b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"> 185 cm (6' 1")</span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">Weight:</b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"> 86</span> kg (190 lbs)</p><p><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">Throws/Bats:</b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"> Right</span><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 13.2px;">/Right</span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br /></p><p>Kaneko was the starting shortstop for the Heat Bears out of the BC League with 109 hits in 121 games, four home runs and 43 RBIs for a .242 career batting average. </p><p>He has good defense with a strong arm and can run 50 meters in 6.2 seconds. That being said, he had his share of errors with 29 in his last 65 games. </p><p>If he improves his offense and fielding, it can earn a promotion. </p><p><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">Team Quote:</b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"> "He has a good balance between hitting and defense. There is a good sense of awareness."</span></p></div></div><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent;">===</span></p><p><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-size: large;"><b>Round 5: RHP Shota Kise (</b></span><b><span style="font-size: large;">木瀬 翔太)</span></b></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjN9NBi_mpiQc7s6yq5loeBF03SLGejTamR78BGuqUcAdnSxfDSlGjPi49XttYZWjnaFJkyFvJMxzZqGVKYJBSUqapekPLFNoj2t_vu4D3EC0KD3xZHeyp7dO3SeESr_puP7mP1TKArPCWBlg1-Bm8f0c9htnp3hRpAAYS4ucVgH8axUOp27TCUG90z_mo" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="440" data-original-width="650" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjN9NBi_mpiQc7s6yq5loeBF03SLGejTamR78BGuqUcAdnSxfDSlGjPi49XttYZWjnaFJkyFvJMxzZqGVKYJBSUqapekPLFNoj2t_vu4D3EC0KD3xZHeyp7dO3SeESr_puP7mP1TKArPCWBlg1-Bm8f0c9htnp3hRpAAYS4ucVgH8axUOp27TCUG90z_mo=w400-h271" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">High School:</b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"> Kitasaga (Kyoto)</span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">Date of Birth:</b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"> April 5, 2005</span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">Height:</b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"> 185 cm (6' 1")</span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">Weight:</b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"> 82 kg (181 lbs)</span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">Throws/Bats:</b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"> </span><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 13.2px;">Right</span><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 13.2px;">/Right</span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">Kise attracted scouts during the Kyoto prefectural Koshien qualifiers where he pitched a complete game as the team's ace. He can top out at 146km/h and can take advantage of a good fastball from his height. Kise can also throw a slider, cutter, changeup, and two types of fork balls. </p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">Impressively, he improved his velocity from 130 km/h to 146 km/h in three years of high school.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">Team Quote:</b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"> "He has a well-balanced physique, good arm motion and has great potential as a pitcher."</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent;">===</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Round 6: OF Koichi Okumura (奥村光一)</b></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgBzPbpK0phYzz1q_qENoHesGVysc9_JLs27kt_dMuQSdUxmlVFNE-xhcx-9hN744F8YB7BJOIo7Vmdy8QerhpGw_zj_Qqa7f2bG1DCvP7A4O3-8aQ_Z47vFLbxr-4CYyNHZBD1tshPbNuC-8vWt02ia_cTOzEV8IoOXFq8LLmryIvSi5fytFgfF4rnLIo" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgBzPbpK0phYzz1q_qENoHesGVysc9_JLs27kt_dMuQSdUxmlVFNE-xhcx-9hN744F8YB7BJOIo7Vmdy8QerhpGw_zj_Qqa7f2bG1DCvP7A4O3-8aQ_Z47vFLbxr-4CYyNHZBD1tshPbNuC-8vWt02ia_cTOzEV8IoOXFq8LLmryIvSi5fytFgfF4rnLIo=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">Independent </b><b>League Team:</b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif"> Gunma Diamond Pegasus (Gunma)</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><p><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">College:</b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"> Tokai (Tokyo)</span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">High School:</b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"> Tokai (Shizuoka)</span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">Date of Birth:</b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"> December 24, 1999</span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">Height:</b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"> 177 cm (5' 10")</span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">Weight:</b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"> 82 kg (181 lbs)</span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">Throws/Bats:</b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"> </span><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 13.2px;">Right</span><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 13.2px;">/Right</span><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /></p><p>Okumura led the BC League with 33 stolen bases in 2023 and had an on-base percentage of .400. He can run 50 meters in 5.9 seconds. </p><p>If his bat develops, he could be a pinch runner or substitute for the late games. That being said, his window is shorter given he will be 25 at the start of 2024. The Lions see him as an athlete they can coach. </p><p><b style="font-size: 13.2px;">Team Quote:</b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.2px;"> "He is a player with a great overall physical ability and a combination of speed and power.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 13.2px;">"</span></p></div><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent;">===</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: large;"><b>Quick analysis</b></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent;">The Lions took the best player on their board and stuck with it throughout the draft. Many may question why their below average offense wasn't addressed in this draft with only one position player taken in he main round, but talent appeared to trump anything else.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent;">Long term, the Lions need pitching options when Kona Takahashi and eventually Kaima Taira want to go to MLB someday. They took a decent amount of flyers in the ikusei round with hopes someone can earn a promotion.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent;">On offense, this is a vote of confidence in Kento Watanabe, Gakuto Wakabayashi, Shohei Suzuki and Takuya Hiruma to grow and improve their game. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent;">Takeuchi doesn't have the highest upside on paper, but his control was valued more than anything velocity related. He should be a mainstay in the rotation. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent;">It will take time to evaluate this class, but in a good 4-5 years, a decent chunk of it will either be established or flaming out. </span></p><p>===</p><p>Follow us on X <a href="http://Twitter.com/graveyardball">@GraveyardBall</a> </p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8741953424210555772.post-58039811091154527952023-10-26T03:26:00.004-07:002023-10-28T15:58:39.890-07:00Lions land Takeuchi as their first round draft pick <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixP8wrUIJws6jzMacTq9vwBvO0mAR8iOeIGYp9WFFXgVNagcg5R1lE5Z_VWEKHRkBMXPCkLnJVXDrDCX3jw1kOlCddhrptSC3c5HgtW2XTOwTHlZvJtCg7VwbpkgWH0je04N3LO8ZLwdDl9aLhCzMSp0hOFHd6VKpQ6XDSBL41gBcO65s3_yApJW2FiEY/s1069/FB_IMG_1698310013559.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1069" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixP8wrUIJws6jzMacTq9vwBvO0mAR8iOeIGYp9WFFXgVNagcg5R1lE5Z_VWEKHRkBMXPCkLnJVXDrDCX3jw1kOlCddhrptSC3c5HgtW2XTOwTHlZvJtCg7VwbpkgWH0je04N3LO8ZLwdDl9aLhCzMSp0hOFHd6VKpQ6XDSBL41gBcO65s3_yApJW2FiEY/s320/FB_IMG_1698310013559.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>===</p><p>When the 2023 NPB Draft commenced, a form of normalcy returned in a giant conference room at a hotel with all executives gathering once again.</p><p>The Saitama Seibu Lions ended up getting LHP Natsuki Takeuchi, their intended target with the first round draft pick. Both the Yakult Swallows and Fukuoka Softbank Hawks tried to go for Takeuchi's rights, but manager Kazuo Matsui had the winning ticket. </p><p>Takeuchi is thought to have some of the best control for a college pitcher and can hit 153 km/h. On paper, he could be in the Lions rotation for the start of 2024. </p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Lions 2023 Draft Picks:</b></span></p><p>1. LHP Natsuki Takeuchi, Koku Gakuen University</p><p>2. RHP Taiga Ueda, Osaka Shogo University</p><p>3. LHP Haruki Sugiyama, Yokohama High School</p><p>4. RHP Harusei Narita, Hirosaki Kogyo High School</p><p>5. RHP Taisei Miyazawa, Tokushima Indigo Socks (Shikoku Island League)</p><p>6. IF Leon Murata, Kogakkan University </p><p> 7. RHP Ryota Itogawa, ENOS</p><p><b>Ikusei picks</b></p><p>1. LHP Sinclair Joseph Konosuke, Tokushima Indigo Socks</p><p>2. IF Asahi Taniguchi, Tokushima Indigo Socks</p><p>3. LHP Masahiro Kawashimo, Hakodate Yuto High School</p><p>4. IF Koji Kaneko, Saitama Musashi Heat Bears (BC League)</p><p>5. RHP Shota Kise, Kita Saga High School</p><p>6. OF Koichi Okumura, Gunma Diamond Pegasus (BC League)</p><p>We will have a detailed piece on all draft picks in a future post. </p><p>===</p><p>Follow us on X <a href="http://Twitter.com/graveyardball">@GraveyardBall</a> </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8741953424210555772.post-45993628850628732822023-10-24T02:14:00.006-07:002023-10-25T19:25:48.514-07:00Lions announce Takeuchi as their 2023 draft nomination <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjydzm7iJjLoc8DBMhdrSQa5FX6TWYKuA9ntbSvEJlkbGWeVwsStPJrLpPExJl5UtIJHRK1NTOos7Jnt4kNGCbA8ZH8cDFJCQn5twHvHcpKs_fRyBbE5BbTumyCauvspiHxIDMFe73c89boHwD8dXzHIWTeozAkTNvHTVsIiA7QkmphNic-AqjJuhYaF7A/s640/20231024-00010000-nishispo-000-1-view.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="596" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjydzm7iJjLoc8DBMhdrSQa5FX6TWYKuA9ntbSvEJlkbGWeVwsStPJrLpPExJl5UtIJHRK1NTOos7Jnt4kNGCbA8ZH8cDFJCQn5twHvHcpKs_fRyBbE5BbTumyCauvspiHxIDMFe73c89boHwD8dXzHIWTeozAkTNvHTVsIiA7QkmphNic-AqjJuhYaF7A/s320/20231024-00010000-nishispo-000-1-view.jpg" width="298" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p>===</p><p>The Saitama Seibu Lions <a href="https://www.nikkansports.com/m/baseball/news/202310240000759_m.html?mode=all">announced</a> their first round draft nomination as LHP Natsuki Takeuchi on Tuesday. </p><p>Takeuchi is a college pitcher out of Koku Gakuin University in Tokyo.</p><p><br /></p><p>"Out of the many potential candidates, Takeuchi is the most talented this year," General Manager Hisanobu "Nabe-Q" Watanabe said in a statement. "We are thinking of adding a little more depth to our left-handed starting rotation.''</p><p>Nabe-Q attributed to his control and high velocity being a big factor as to why they like Takeuchi the most. </p><p>Since 2015, this is the seventh time the Lions have announced their first round draft pick before the draft itself. They only concealed their pick in 2016 and 2018 for Tatsuya Imai and Wataru Matsumoto, respectively. </p><p>Here are the previous first draft pick attempts: </p><p>2015: Shinsaburo Tawata, no opposition</p><p>2016: Tatsuya Imai, no opposition</p><p>2017: Daiki Tajima, lost to Orix Buffaloes</p><p>Took Hiromasa Saito unopposed</p><p>2018: Wataru Matsumoto, no opposition </p><p>2019: Roki Sasaki, lost four way drawing to Chiba Lotte Marines</p><p>Took Tetsu Miyagawa and won drawing against Yomiuri Giants for his rights </p><p>2020: Takahisa Hayakawa, lost four way drawing to Rakuten Eagles</p><p>Took Kento Watanabe unopposed</p><p>2021: Chihiro Sumida, won four-way drawing</p><p>2022: Takuya Hiruma, no opposition</p><p>2023: Natsuki Takeuchi?</p><p>Takeuchi has multiple teams linked to him beyond the Lions. It's very likely this pick will be contested by at least one or two other teams. As many as five teams could go for his rights. </p><p>He can throw a fastball, curve, slider and changeup mixing up his style. His maximum velocity is 153 km/H. </p><p>===</p><p>Follow us on X <a href="http://Twitter.com/graveyardball">@GraveyardBall</a> </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8741953424210555772.post-16971309700769083702023-10-23T12:02:00.004-07:002023-10-24T02:23:20.449-07:002023 NPB Draft: Where do the Lions go from here?<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvFDtkXfswQWeYbvVl4IC3xd7DVAZd1hW0lXhCYD_WlJzTnOg4fivZG-hNhXmQfPfDtZK79jWYnArnS-HQqkaPGg7TVAWwXM7siB0uVbRPlJlMBATbj4x-IZw1gMLMZjX5DNpvNpnXPQ9S__1IvMxDmkxesJ-cXgVYJ9Kj_k9Zhe18q1Xn3oDrZXWIRx0/s500/2023053001b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvFDtkXfswQWeYbvVl4IC3xd7DVAZd1hW0lXhCYD_WlJzTnOg4fivZG-hNhXmQfPfDtZK79jWYnArnS-HQqkaPGg7TVAWwXM7siB0uVbRPlJlMBATbj4x-IZw1gMLMZjX5DNpvNpnXPQ9S__1IvMxDmkxesJ-cXgVYJ9Kj_k9Zhe18q1Xn3oDrZXWIRx0/s320/2023053001b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">===</div><p></p><p>The 2023 NPB Draft takes place on Thursday, October 26. While the Japan Series is the biggest distraction for the Hanshin Tigers and Orix Buffaloes, it's time for the rest of the league to look at their future and see who could be part of the plan going forward.</p><p>For the Saitama Seibu Lions, they're eyeing about 10 names for their first round nomination. </p><p>Here's a look at each position:</p><p>===</p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Pitcher:</b></span></p><p>The Lions <a href="https://graveyardbaseball.blogspot.com/2023/10/lions-announce-takeuchi-as-their-draft.html">announced</a> Natsuki Takeuchi as their nomination </p><p>There's been a higher load of pitchers being scouted and looked at by the Lions staff. Based on needs, any bullpen or rotation depth doesn't hurt to have. Factor in Kona Takahashi and Kaima Taira aiming to go to MLB someday and you need to think long term. </p><p>Long term, LHP Yugo Maesa (Osaka Toin High School) could be an intriguing fall back option. Others include RHP Hayato Fuji and RHP Kenichi Murata out of university pitchers.</p><p>High school names have two-way players Keita Manabe (Koryo), Seiya Yokoyama (Ueda Nishi) and Issei Konno (Furukawa Gakuen). </p><p>Expect at least four pitchers in this class.</p><p>===</p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Catcher</b></span></p><p>The catcher situation has been rather fragile with Yuto Koga and Sena Tsuge taking the load. They can play defense, but offense is lacking. </p><p>Yuya Shinto (Jobu University) is a candidate the Lions could take. They've also looked at Shuna Hori (Hotoku Gakuen High School) for a long term option.</p><p>In the senryokugai list, Masato Saito and Shota Makino were let go. </p><p>Given Sena Tsuge is also coming off surgery on his elbow, they could take another depth option. </p><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">===</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Infielder</b></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The news was all centered on Rintaro Sasaki (Hanamaki Higashi HS), but it became an <a href="https://graveyardbaseball.blogspot.com/2023/10/rintaro-sasakis-decision-is-for-best-in.html">announcement he would go to University</a> in the USA to obtain his goal of playing in MLB. </span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Dan Kajiyama (Takeda HS) and Yuya Tanoue (Nihon Fujisawa HS) have been scouted. Leon Murata (Kogakkan University) is another candidate. </span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">===</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Outfield</b></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;">The outfield is the biggest short term weakness on the Lions since 2020. Unfortunately, the estimated board doesn't project anyone to be seen. The only player the Lions have looked at is Ibuki Momotani (Ritsumeikan University). He counts as a kohai for Yuji Kaneko. </div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;">It's likely the Lions trust their picks from within hoping Takuya Hiruma develops while Manaya Nishikawa and Shohei Suzuki can be everyday starters if not Gakuto Wakabayashi. </div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;">Fans would want immediate help and Kyoto Ueda (Meiji University) or Ryuki Watarai (JX-ENEOS) would make a lot of sense for immediate needs. It appears both players aren't being looked at, unless the team is pulling a 180 and tricking everyone. </div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Lions appear to be fine with this area in the short term, but there haven't been any candidates who look to be there long term. They're hoping Kenton Watanabe can develop. </span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">===</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Outlook</b></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;">The Lions made a major cutting announcement with a combined 16 players (including two foreign ikusei) being let go. Seven players on the 70 man roster were cut while nine ikusei were designated as senryokugai. </div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;">Logically, they should draft seven players before the ikusei round based on the roster openings. Even if pending free agents like Hotaka Yamakawa and Katsunori Hirai were on the roster, there's a total of 56 domestic players under contract. They had six foreigners last season which would bump the number to 61, so the roster openings are there for up to nine if they keep the slots open for imports. </div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;">Most reports indicate the Lions are eyeing a pitcher in the first round, but it hasn't been publicly announced at the time of this writing. </div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;">Only the Hiroshima Carp have announced their nomination with Hayato Tsunehiro of Aoyama Gakuin. Everyone else has been silent. </div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;">===</div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="ja">2023年 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E3%83%89%E3%83%A9%E3%83%95%E3%83%88?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ドラフト</a>、ライオンズのドラフト1位には誰を指名して欲しい?<br /><br />Who do you want to see the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/seibulions?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#seibulions</a> nominate with their first round selection?<br /><br />拡散してください <a href="https://twitter.com/nerimamo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nerimamo</a><a href="https://twitter.com/64Uni_Lions?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@64Uni_Lions</a><a href="https://twitter.com/Cape_Lions?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Cape_Lions</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/seibulions?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#seibulions</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E5%9F%BC%E7%8E%89%E8%A5%BF%E6%AD%A6%E3%83%A9%E3%82%A4%E3%82%AA%E3%83%B3%E3%82%BA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#埼玉西武ライオンズ</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E5%B8%B8%E5%BA%83%E7%BE%BD%E4%B9%9F%E6%96%97?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#常広羽也斗</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E6%AD%A6%E5%86%85%E5%A4%8F%E6%9A%89?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#武内夏暉</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E5%BA%A6%E4%BC%9A%E9%9A%86%E8%BC%9D?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#度会隆輝</a></p>— Graveyard Baseball (@GraveyardBall) <a href="https://twitter.com/GraveyardBall/status/1711654565286699410?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 10, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">===</div><p><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.2px;">Follow us on X </span><a href="http://twitter.com/graveyardball" style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-decoration-line: none;">@GraveyardBall</a> </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8741953424210555772.post-46711811892061537362023-10-21T14:53:00.001-07:002023-10-21T14:53:25.821-07:00Lions announce 2024 coaching staff <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiAB51Kvr9lAQlBdmdboNrkTZjeV0tvaIB_ZsxFNae8hIk6yV5k2fEEkdzo1_XUUFa4MI3LSDeyS-pvL0JsWl3phOPQ6vKZF92aY8-NS2Tq5LmCrQONVaDA6MEydt5wlMP4TmXIJrQdKk-rVTXdypwm2q7D2VcZh4p6gwwKym_6H3V-3E9mbUNfJsy2_60" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="428" data-original-width="760" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiAB51Kvr9lAQlBdmdboNrkTZjeV0tvaIB_ZsxFNae8hIk6yV5k2fEEkdzo1_XUUFa4MI3LSDeyS-pvL0JsWl3phOPQ6vKZF92aY8-NS2Tq5LmCrQONVaDA6MEydt5wlMP4TmXIJrQdKk-rVTXdypwm2q7D2VcZh4p6gwwKym_6H3V-3E9mbUNfJsy2_60=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p>===<div><br /></div><div>The Saitama Seibu Lions <a href="https://www.seibulions.jp/news/detail/202300350827.html">announced their 2024 coaching staff</a> one week after the regular season ended this month. </div><div><br /></div><div>Majority of the staff remains the same, with only one leaving. Farm pitching coach Tetsuya Utsumi left the Lions staff to join the Yomiuri Giants and Shinnosuke Abe's team, whom he played majority of his career for. </div><div><br /></div><div>New additions to the staff include Daiki Enokida and Tomoshi Aoki at the farm level. </div><div><br /></div><div>Enokida, 37, played for the Lions from 2018-2021 and came over through a trade with the Hanshin Tigers. He will serve as a farm pitching coach and be learning under Tatsuya Oishi. </div><div><br /></div><div>Aoki, 44, played for the Hiroshima Carp from 1998-2000 and had stints as a player in the independent BC League. Mostly recently he was a coach at Rissho University. </div><div><br /></div><div>Otherwise, we've seen two coaches swap places from ichi-gun to ni-gun as listed below.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here is the full staff: </div><div><br /><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Ichi-gun staff</b></span><br /><div><br /></div><div>Manager: 77 Kazuo Matsui</div><div><br /></div><div>Head Coach: 83 Yosuke Hiraishi</div><div><br /></div><div>Pitching Coach: 81 Kiyoshi Toyoda</div><div><br /></div><div>Pitching Coach: 93 Hayato Aoki</div><div><br /></div><div>Battery Coach 82 Kosuke Noda</div><div><br /></div><div>Hitting Coach: 80 Shigenobu Shima</div><div><br /></div><div>Hitting Coach: 91 Hisashi Takayama</div><div><br /></div><div>Infield Defense and Base Running: 76 Masahiro Abe (Moves from ni-gun to ichi-gun)</div><div><br /></div><div>Outfield Defense and Base Running: 86 Shogo Akada</div><div><br /></div><div>===</div><div><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Ni-gun staff</b></span><br /><br />Manager: 74 Fumiya Nishiguchi</div><div><div><br /></div><div>Field General Coach: 79 Tatsuya Oseki</div><div><br /></div><div>Battery Coach: 96 Shota Nakata</div><div><br /></div><div>Ikusei Battery Coach, Bullpen Catcher and human resources director:<br /></div><div>98 Yuta Arakawa</div><div><br /></div><div>Hitting Coach: 88 Hiroyuki Oshima</div><div><br /></div><div>Infield Defense and Base Running Coach: 87 Satoshi Kuroda (moves from ichi-gun)</div><div><br /></div><div>Outfield Defense and Base Running Coach: 84 Masato Kumashiro</div><div><br /></div><div>Ikusei Infield Defense and Base Running Coach: 94 Yuji Onizaki</div><div><br /></div><div>Pitching General Coach: 95 Tatsuya Oishi</div><div><br /></div><div>Pitching Coach: 90 Shunichiro Osada</div><div><br /></div><div>Pitching Coach: 85 Daiki Enokida</div><div><br /></div><div>Ikusei Coach and Human Resources Development Chief: 97 Tomoshi Aoki</div><div><br /></div><div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">===</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">Follow us on X <a href="http://twitter.com/graveyardball" style="color: blue; text-decoration-line: none;">@GraveyardBall</a></div></div><div><div><div class="pl_blockB01 pl_contentBlockA02" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Noto Sans JP", "ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro", "Hiragino Kaku Gothic Pro", Osaka, メイリオ, Meiryo, "MS Pゴシック", "MS PGothic", sans-serif; font-size: 1.3rem; margin: 0px 0px 35px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 20px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="pl_textBlock01" style="background-attachment: initial; 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This is the same leader and high school who was in charge of Shohei Ohtani from 2010-2012. </p><p>It's likely he is listening to the advice of his father to truly pursue his goal to be a Major League player. </p><p>In 2012, Ohtani was linked to going stateside, but still filed the paperwork for the draft with the discouragement to not take him. The Fighters took the risk and in a recruiting presentation, convinced him to sign.</p><p>For Sasaki, it will be an adventure, but adapting to a stateside culture can also be beneficial, especially if he has an education from a school like Vanderbilt. Even learning English and being close to fluent in it will go a long way for his career.</p><p>The biggest elephant in the room for position players adjusting to MLB is the frequent high velocity, specifically at least 156 km/H (95 mph) or higher fastballs and several power pitchers continue to throw them at will. </p><p>What has held many back from taking this path is the shame and fear that comes with this from Japanese teams. Shakaijin like Junichi Tazawa made it across, but at the price of not being wanted when coming back. Even though the former "Tazawa rule" is gone of sitting out years, teams can still refuse to bring a player in at their discretion.</p><p>Tazawa was in the independent BC League and went undrafted as someone who was in his mid-30s despite being eligible.</p><p>For Sasaki, it will be good for him to see a high level of competition through college and even the minors. Despite seeing great players in Japan, he wouldn't see major league fastballs as much, which hurt a player like Yoshitomo Tsutsugo or Shogo Akiyama when they came over.</p><p>It's a bold move for a teenager who is compared to Prince Fielder, but it is necessary to for Sasaki to put his money where his mouth is and chase his dream as a position player.</p><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">===</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">Follow us on X <a href="http://twitter.com/graveyardball" style="color: blue; text-decoration-line: none;">@GraveyardBall</a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0