The Saitama Seibu Lions outfield doesn't have any significant changes or developments, but there are homegrown players likely to see more playing time than last year. This goes in the books as a transition season before someone will be inserted long term.
Here is how the outfield will shape up:
Locks:
Shogo Akiyama: The Lions have been seeing Akiyama at his peak with arguably his strongest seasons in 2017 and 2018. Suddenly 2019 is a contract year where he will have international free agent rights while also becoming the team's captain. Will he take his game across the Pacific in 2020?
Yuji Kaneko: Kaneko had a terrible season with his bat in 2018, but continued to steal bases when he wasn't out. There should be a chance for a rebound year when it comes to hitting.
Takumi Kuriyama: Kuriyama has been serving as a 4th outfielder and pinch hitter. His role most likely stays the same as he battles father time, but he should be useful off the bench as long as he isn't playing every day.
Shuta Tonosaki: If Tonosaki doesn't play 2B regularly, he'll likely be starting in right field once again as his fall back option. The Lions should prioritize Tonosaki to be a regular starter in any way, shape or form.
Fumikazu Kimura: Nothing flashy, but he came off a decent year while being a spell outfielder and defensive replacement in right field. Manager Hatsuhiko Tsuji knows what he is and we won't be seeing him as a regular starter anytime soon.
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Reserves:
Masato Kumashiro: Time could be running out on his playing career if the younger Lions take over. He's a useful defensive replacement who can play anywhere in the outfield or infield, but he doesn't hit as well.
Shogo Saito: Like Kumashiro, time is running short. Saito had a decent stretch in a pinch for 2018 before he cooled off. At best he's a defensive replacement.
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Unproven/Farm
There are a load of young players in the outfield with minimal ichi-gun. It's likely we'll see someone start playing more as a result of finding a long term replacement for Akiyama, especially if he leaves after 2019.
"Aito" Takeda: Takeda enters his fourth year with the Lions in hopes to find more ichi-gun time. He has been up for a few games, but still has not recorded a hit at the ichi-gun level.
Daisuke Togawa: A former ikusei pick, Togawa was promoted after the 2015 season, but hasn't registered ichi-gun time. He'll be on the outside as he hasn't been able to hit well in ni-gun despite being 23 this April and being with the team since 2015.
Shohei Suzuki: Suzuki has been seen as the heir to Akiyama and hopes to develop as the regular starting centerfielder for the long run. He has all the physical tools to be a leadoff hitter in the future. At age 20, he's still very raw.
Seiji Kawagoe: Kawagoe switches from pitcher to outfield as he was a two-way player when drafted out of college in 2015. It's possible his bat will be better than his pitching arm and could crack time, but age isn't on his side being 25 years old.
Wataru Takagi: Takagi earned a promotion from ikusei after only one year in ni-gun, hitting .278/.348/.448 in 75 games. He's only 19, but could be a long term option.
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Outlook:
The ichi-gun starters are all but set. It will depend on what the Lions do with Tonosaki which will affect how a farm player starts getting time in the OF or not. In the long run, one of these prospects needs to emerge if they want to be competing for years to come.
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We have also added a poll regarding the reserve outfielders.
Who do you think will play more ichi-gun 一軍 games in the OF 外野 for 2019?— Graveyard Baseball (@GraveyardBall) January 28, 2019
Please translate @64Uni_Lions #seibulions #npbeng #埼玉西武ライオンズ
Comment below if you think Wataru Takagi #高木渉 will
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Other positions in Series:
Catcher
Infield
Bullpen
Rotation
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