2019 Seibu Lions Opening Day Roster announced

The 2019 Saitama Seibu Lions Opening Day roster was announced earlier this week. A new rule allows 29 players to be on the ichi-gun roster while only 25 of them can be active. Essentially, another position player or reliever could be added while the starting pitchers are scratched.

Here is a reaction to all players making the ichi-gun roster:

Pitchers (13):

Tatsuya Imai: A first round pick out of high school in 2016, the Lions had made up lost time with him last season. This season hopes to be one where he can develop.

Kona Takahashi: Like Imai as a Koshien hero and first round pick from 2014, Takahashi saw little ichi-gun time in 2018 and wants to be on a redemption path. While he's shown flashes of brilliance, he struggles with control and hasn't put a full season together.

Tatsushi Masuda: After losing his closer role in 2018, he'll be in middle relief for what is likely the 7th or 8th inning. Came off a dismal season last year.

Shinsaburo Tawata: Tawata was given #18 for a reason in hopes to be the team's future ace. Now, he's the best starting option after being the wins leaders last season and hopes to build off it. He'll need to work on missing bats to have a successful 2019.

Hiromasa Saito: The Lions 2017 first round pick did not participate in ichi-gun games until the second half. He saw time as a swingman in the bullpen and looks to have a better season in 2019.

Shogo Noda: Noda was inconsistent while only having one good month in the bullpen last year. He needs to stop hanging up breaking balls if he wants to stay at the ichi-gun.

Katsunori Hirai: Hirai was solid against right-handed hitters, but was overworked last year and gave up his share of home runs. He is also on the fringe of the ichi-gun and ni-gun border.

Ichiro Tamura: A 6th round pick in 2016, Tamura will likely start the year as the mop up duty pitcher. He's prone to giving up home runs left and right.

Kyle Martin: Martin came on as a midseason signing last season and did well enough as a setup man where the Lions rewarded him with a contract the next year. He struggled in the postseason, but this is still a prove-it contract for the former Red Sox farmhand.

Ryuya Ogawa: The Lions picked up Ogawa for cash in the middle of last year and he proved to be decent for a ground ball and matchups out of the bullpen. He's looking to expand his role in 2019 and earn an even better payday next year.

Shota Takekuma: Takekuma came off his worst career season in 2018. Originally a lefty specialist, he'll need to earn his way back to a high leverage situation out of the bullpen. He could function as a spot starter for quite a few games this year.

Zach Neal: Neal is the only new foreign signing by the Lions this past offseason and they're hoping he can be a regular in the starting rotation. He'll be given two months before the jury is out on him.

Deunte Heath: After the bullpen struggled last year, Heath was the constant as the Lions closer and was able to retain his job through the second half. For a player who targeted Japan by going to an independent league, his decision last year helped propel an opportunity with the Lions and his playing career can continue.

===

Catchers (3):

Tomoya Mori: Mori was given a vote of confidence last year and was the team's starting catcher. This season, he hopes to improve his bat along with his catching skills that are a work in progress.

Masatoshi Okada: Drafted in the same year as Mori as a shakaijin, Okada has served well as a backup. He should see at least one game a week while also being the pinch-bunter option. 

Hitoto Komazuki: It's been a long journey for the converted outfielder, but he is now at the ichi-gun as the team's third and emergency catcher. He'll likely come in as a defensive replacement late in a game.

===

Infielders (6):

Daichi Mizuguchi: Mizuguchi will serve as a pinch runner and defensive replacement late in the game. As the shortest player on the team, it's possible he could be a spell infielder on occasion.

Shuta Tonosaki: Tonosaki goes to his natural position in the infield at 2B after beating out his competition in spring training. He could play in the outfield if needed and has plenty of speed.

Sosuke Genda: Three years ago, shortstop was the most obvious hole for the Lions. Today, Genda has remained the constant at the position and has not missed a game from the start of his career in 2017. He'll look to continue hitting, but his defense shouldn't be a problem.

Ryusei Sato: Sato is the only draft pick from last October to make the Lions ichi-gun. A seventh rounder, he will likely see time at 3B as a defensive replacement and spell for Takeya "Okawari-kun" Nakamura.

Hotaka Yamakawa: Coming off an MVP season in 2018, Yamakawa finally got the payday he was waiting for by putting a full year together. If he continues hitting home runs and gets on base, he's doing what the Lions want him to do at cleanup.

Takeya Nakamura: Okawari-kun showed he's not completely over the hill with an amazing second half. He just needs rest and focus, but if his power helps the team on occasion, they'll take it. It's a luxury having him in the bottom 3 of the hitting lineup.

===

Outfielders (7): 

Takumi Kuriyama: The former Lions captain will have a limited role as DH and part-time outfielder. He should be a solid 4th OF option, but nothing more as he battles father-time.

Yuji Kaneko: After being an infielder for most of his career, Kaneko should stay in left field and utilize his speed. He is coming off a down season with his bat and needs to show he can slap hit as a leadoff hitter.

Fumikazu Kimura: Kimura is mostly a defensive replacement, but he will be the starting right fielder on Opening Day. After coming off a solid season as a spell outfielder, he beat out his competition to start.

Shohei Suzuki: A high school pick taken in 2016, Suzuki is viewed as a future leadoff hitter. He'll get a glimpse of ichi-gun time and could start sooner than later if someone gets hurt or is ineffective.

"Aito" Takeda: Aito has seen time at the ichi-gun in the past, but he hasn't recorded a hit to his name yet. This year is an opportunity for him to emerge like Suzuki. 

Shogo Akiyama: This is likely Akiyama's last year in Japan as he has international free agent rights after the season. Now the team's captain, he wants to end his NPB career on a high note and will be hitting in the No. 3 spot. 

Masato Kumashiro: Kumashiro will be the defensive substitute for anywhere in the outfield or infield. His versatility is why he likely made the ichi-gun roster to start.

===

Follow us on Twitter @GraveyardBall