The new 2019 NPB season doesn't begin until March, but training camp for everyone starts on February 1. With everything starting to kickoff in baseball, we'll do a series on each position looking at every player.
This year, the catcher position will have an opening with Ginjiro Sumitani signing with the Yomiuri Giants. Who takes his spot?
Locks:
Tomoya Mori: Mori took the starting role for majority of 2018 and developed at his natural position of catcher, something a lot of pundits weren't sure of when he was drafted. His bat took a hit, but it can still be even better with time. Calling games is still a work in progress.
Masatoshi Okada: Okada, a high school senpai from Osaka Toin of Mori, is a serviceable backup and should start at least once a week while also serving as a defensive substitute if needed.
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Reserves:
Hitoto Komazuki: Komazuki has spent the last two seasons transitioning from outfield to catcher and by turning 26 this year, he still has some upside left. The opportunity is there for the third spot after being buried by other catchers previously.
Shota Nakata: Nakata has been a mainstay as the farm catcher and knows the pitchers in ni-gun. He's only played in 10 ichi-gun games, but like Komazuki, he could win himself the third catcher spot.
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Farm/Ikusei:
Masato Saito: Saito spent last year in ni-gun and didn't earn a promotion to the 70-man roster. In ni-gun last year for 50 games, he hit near the Mendoza Line. It will need to improve with lots of competition behind him.
Shoya Makino: The 5th round pick of the Lions from last October out of high school looks to develop in ni-gun. He has all the raw traits of a starting catcher in the future, including a fast pop speed. Similar to Mori, the scouts liked his bat and think he can develop some power down the line.
Daichi Nakaguma: Nakaguma was the last player drafted in the Ikusei round and brings more competition for Saito. He had some Best 8 honors in college and also hopes to develop in ni-gun.
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Outlook:
With Sumitani gone, the third catcher spot is wide open for Komazuki or Nakata to take as they're both at the ichi-gun camp. While neither player appears to be cracking games, they could be on the bench as a late-game substitute if something happens.
At the farm level, the competition looks to be open with all fresh bodies after the Lions cleared some of the old. There is plenty of open time for anyone to step it up and rise to the occasion, but it's likely only four catchers will see ichi-gun time in 2019 at the most.
Here are the poll results that we conducted on Twitter:
Who do you think becomes the #seibulions 3rd Catcher?— Graveyard Baseball (@GraveyardBall) January 25, 2019
Please translate this @64Uni_Lions #npbeng #埼玉西武ライオンズ
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Other positions in series:
Infield
Outfield
Bullpen
Rotation
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