The Saitama Seibu Lions infield is mostly set, but there are some fresh faces joining the mix for 2020. Here is what lies ahead with camp beginning:
A-Camp:
Hotaka Yamakawa: Coming off another season of 40+ home runs, his batting average dipped in the second half leading to a demotion in the lineup. He'll need to hit for average if he wants to be batting cleanup again.
Sosuke Genda: Genda's streak of consecutive games was snapped in 2019, but he still proved to be durable with a minor injury. While his hitting production isn't flashy, it is consistent and enough for an SS to hit his own weight.
Shuta Tonosaki: Tonosaki held off his competition and was the starting 2B for the whole year. Being healthy all season had him cross the 20 HR plateau where he should be a mainstay for 2020.
Ryusei Sato: Sato was the only rookie from the 2018 draft class to make the opening day ichi-gun roster and had the most days on top among the group. He was a solid defensive replacement for Takeya "Okawari-kun" Nakamura at 3B and could be a spell 3B or can fill another position if needed.
Kakeru Yamanobe: Yamanobe came off a disappointing rookie season with only a handful of ichi-gun appearances because his bat was ineffective. He's hoping to crack more ichi-gun games in 2020 with better hitting and more consistent defense. At worst, he can be a replacement player or pinch runner.
Ernesto Mejia: Mejia returns on a low budget contract as the Lions gave him another year. Mejia's bench role will likely continue as a pinch hitter and part-time DH with no chance at starting 1B.
Yuto Morikoshi: The Lions picked up Morikoshi after he was a senryokugai from the Hanshin Tigers. Hatsuhiko Tsuji and Morikoshi were together on the Chunichi Dragons prior to the latter's stint in Kansai. He could be a top replacement player with his versatility on the infield, but shouldn't be an everyday starter.
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B-camp:
Okawari-kun: Nakamura will start camp rehabbing an injury, but the Lions won't need to evaluate his form for the time being. He could see more games at DH given his age instead of 3B.
Daichi Mizuguchi: Mizuguchi is on the outside after being a pinch runner and part-time player in the past. At age 31, he could be a senyrokugai candidate if he can't play ichi-gun games.
Kyohei Nagae: Nagae is remembered for his defense, but inability to hit prevents him from more ichi-gun games. If others pass him on the depth chart, it could be a long season for him in ni-gun.
Nien Ting Wu: Wu saw time as a rookie in 2016, but hasn't played an ichi-gun game since 2018. He turns 27 this year and the upside is likely gone. Wu is mostly a depth option as he spent time in ni-gun as an outfielder, but he's also in danger of being a senryokugai.
Manaya Nishikawa: Nishikawa continues to develop in ni-gun being a second-round high school pick in 2017. He could try to reach the ichi-gun for the first time in 2020.
Haruka Yamada: Yamada looked to be a future infield candidate, but he's now on the outside with Sato leaping him on the depth chart. Yamada is in danger of being senryokugai if he can't reach the ichi-gun in 2020.
Ryota Kawano: The new Lions infielder was a draft pick out of high school. He'll get plenty of opportunities at the farm level to develop.
Ryusei Tsunashima: Tsunashima was also a high school draft pick like Nishikawa in his year. He's still a long term project, but time isn't running out yet.
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Outlook:
The starting players are all but locked in barring no injuries. The question is who becomes the player to take over 3B regularly when Okawari-kun can't? On paper, Sato could be the projected guy. Depth should be alright, but the farm level has uncertainty with several unproven players.
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Other positions:
Pitcher
Catcher
Outfielder
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