The Saitama Seibu Lions have one obvious change where the centerfield position won't be the same for the first time since 2010. While others have filled in, Shogo Akiyama has departed for the Cincinnati Reds.
As the Lions look to find some future options, they've drafted ahead for this year and braced for Akiyama's eventual exit.
A-camp:
Takumi Kuriyama: The former Lions captain should still see ichi-gun time, but father time is catching up to him. He saw several games at DH while being a part-time outfielder. It would be best if he's a pinch hitter or fourth outfielder rather than every day starter.
Yuji Kaneko: Manager Hatsuhiko Tsuji already said he will be the starting centerfielder. With domestic free agent rights approaching, the Lions locked him up through the 2023 season as his stolen bases were considered valuable enough to give a decent offer. His range should be fine, but can he remember to hit his own weight or even be a leadoff batter?
Fumikazu Kimura: Kimura took the starting RF position and batted in the bottom third of the order. His arm is decent, but bat is nothing to write home about. He's better off as a spell outfielder or defensive replacement, but he'll likely start in the outfield again to begin the 2020 season.
Cory Spangenberg: The first Lions position player import since 2015 will get an open shot in LF or RF depending on what the team is comfortable with. His versatility to play a corner OF position or 3B and 2B gives the Lions flexibility if they like him elsewhere. If they want to have Takeya Nakamura as a DH, he can easily fill third as long as he hits his own weight. Spangenberg has decent speed on paper, but his hitting against NPB pitching will be a question mark until he's playing ichi-gun games.
Shohei Suzuki: Suzuki was drafted out of high school in 2016 and thought to be the heir to Akiyama as a future leadoff hitter. He was able to make his ichi-gun debut last season mostly coming off the bench. If his bat continues to develop, he could take more playing time besides coming in as a pinch runner.
"Aito" Takeda: Remembered for the winning "hit" walkoff error in 2019, Aito saw more ichi-gun time than ever before, but couldn't earn a starting role. His bat remains a question mark goinf forward where he mostly came off the bench.
Seiji Kawagoe: Kawagoe got an ichi-gun invite after a great winter league experience in Taiwan. Previously drafted as a pitcher in 2015, the Lions have chosen to use him for his fallback option as a position player as he tries to pull a Rick Ankiel. Inspiration couldn't be any closer with teammate Kimura being a former pitcher. Anything short of ichi-gun time could result in being cut.
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B-camp:
Masato Kumashiro: Kumashiro was the ichi-gun defensive replacement for both the OF and infield if necessary. He enters domestic free agency after this year, but he won't be highly coveted given his status. With many younger bodies on the team, he's on the outside.
Daisuke Togawa: Togawa earned an ichi-gun callup and did well for two games, including his first career home run being meaningful in a close win over the Chiba Lotte Marines. He hopes to get more games, but the competition is fierce for the former ikusei pick.
Wataru Takagi: Takagi was called up for one game during interleague play and had an at-bat in mop up duty. He's been a decent ni-gun player, but still has time to develop as he was also a former ikusei.
Junichiro Kishi: A former pitcher, Kishi was the 8th round draft pick last fall and hopes to get ichi-gun time as a pinch runner. He's athletic, but his bat is likely an offensive hole.
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Outlook:
Spangenberg can make or break this unit now that Akiyama is gone. If a younger Lions outfielder steps it up in 2020, they will be in decent shape. They're not going to match Akiyama's production of hitting for average and getting on base, but it could still be respectable. The door is open for someone to claim an opportunity.
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Other positions:
Pitcher
Infielder
Catcher
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