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The Saitama Seibu Lions entered the 2019 NPB Draft hoping to take the ultimate prize in high school phenom Roki Sasaki out of Ofunato. They had a four-way draw and ultimately lost when Tadahito Iguchi of the Chiba Lotte Marines picked up the winning ticket.
As a result, the Lions went to plan B and nominated RHP Tetsu Miyagawa out of Toshiba and the shakaijin leagues. In a 50-50 coin flip drawing with the Yomiuri Giants, Tatsunori Hara's pick decided it all. In the end, Hatsuhiko Tsuji won the draw and the Lions hold his signing rights.
Miyagawa, 24, spent two years with Toshiba's baseball team in Kanagawa prefecture in both a reliever and starter role. He also pitched in both situations at the University level.
He can top out at 154 kph (95 mph) and has above average control for his fastball. He can also throw a curve, fork and cutter.
While this wasn't the most attractive name coming into the draft, taking an industrial league pitcher means he can likely help the Lions sooner than later and they can plug him in as a reliever or starter if needed. With his versatility, he could be valuable depth even though his upside is minimal at 24 years old.
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