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The Saitama Seibu Lions took a total of seven players and five ikusei during the 2020 NPB Draft. In an irregular year, fewer high school players made themselves eligible. Team representatives were in separate rooms until the drawing and more. It was just another day at the office for Hisanobu "Nabe-Q" Watanabe and the others who put this draft board together.
Here is a look at every draft pick the Lions took in 2020:
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First Round: IF Kento Watanabe (渡部健人)
The Saitama Seibu Lions took a total of seven players and five ikusei during the 2020 NPB Draft. In an irregular year, fewer high school players made themselves eligible. Team representatives were in separate rooms until the drawing and more. It was just another day at the office for Hisanobu "Nabe-Q" Watanabe and the others who put this draft board together.
Here is a look at every draft pick the Lions took in 2020:
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First Round: IF Kento Watanabe (渡部健人)
College: Toin University (Kanagawa)
High School: Nihon Wellness (Tokyo), Yokohama Shodai (Kanagawa)
Date of Birth: December 26, 1998
Height: 176 cm (5' 9")
Weight: 112 kg (247 lbs)
Throws/Bats: Right/Right
In the first round, the Lions tried to draft P Takahisa Hayakawa with three other teams. This drawing went to the Rakuten Eagles when Kazuhisa Ishii pulled out the winning ticket before Hatsuhiko Tsuji could put his hand in the box. They settled on Kento Watanabe as their plan B with no opposition.
Watanabe is a slugging infielder who can play first and third base. If his build didn't already describe him, he's likely to have an "Okawari" nickname and there are already comparisons to Takeya "Okawari-kun" Nakamura with Okawari-Nisei (2nd generation) titles floating around.
He was a cleanup hitter since high school and kept this position in college at Toin University. With his power hitting, the Lions hope he is the next slugger to join the team. His scouting report also has adequate fielding for a corner infielder.
On a fun trivial note, he was born to a Japanese father and Filipino mother.
Team Quote: "A strong hitter who has a triple digit weight. His physique and power is reminiscent of Takeya Nakamura."
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Second round: P Takeru Sasaki (佐々木健)
Industrial League Team: NTT East (Tokyo)
College: Fuji University (Iwate)
High School: Kizukuri (Aomori)
Date of Birth: May 13, 1996
Height: 179 cm (5' 10")
Weight: 87 kg (192 lbs)
Throws/Bats: Left/Left
Sasaki's maximum velocity is 152 km/H (94 mph) while he can throw a fastball, curve, changeup and slider. As a shakaijin pitcher, he was mostly a rotation starter, but struggled with control and didn't have great stats. However, this final year (and spring) is what drew scout attention with a high strikeout rate.
At Fuji University, he was the team's ace and was also teammates with Ryusei Sato.
With the Lions needing left handed pitching depth, it's possible Sasaki can play sooner than later at the ichi-gun level. His decent velocity for a left-handed pitcher could be good enough for a rotation spot or in relief. Nabe-Q was impressed with his fastball for a lefty.
Team Quote: "Immediate left arm help with attractive fastball power. [He could be in the] starting lineup. Relief innings are also possible."
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Third Round: IF Takayoshi Yamamura (山村崇嘉)
High School: Tokaidai Sagami (Kanagawa)
Date of Birth: September 28, 2002
Height: 180 cm (5' 11")
Weight: 85 kg (187 lbs)
Throws/Bats: Right/Left
Yamamura is supposed to follow a trend in a third round position player taken in an even numbered draft year finding success. Previously Hideto Asamura (2008), Shogo Akiyama (2010), Yuji Kaneko (2012), Shuta Tonosaki (2014) and Sosuke Genda (2016) all had significant ichi-gun impact, though Kakeru Yamanobe (2018) must develop to continue the trend.
The Lions see Yamamura as a leadoff hitter who can hit for average, power as well as smart hitting for gappers. He entered his final year as a 1B, but was shifted to 3B and SS. They like his defense too, hoping his bat develops for the long run. Yamamura was also a pitcher and his fastball indicates this could be a fallback option.
Team Quote: "A well-balanced left-handed hitter who can be a triple threat. He could be a centerpiece of the future"
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Fourth Round: OF Gakuto Wakabayashi (若林楽人)
College: Komazawa University (Tokyo)
High School: Komadai Tomakomai (Hokkaido)
Date of Birth: April 13, 1998
Height: 177 cm (5' 10")
Weight: 75 kg (165 lbs)
Throws/Bats: Right/Right
Wakabayashi was a college player who didn't excel until his senior year at Komazawa University. Mostly batting in the bottom third of the lineup, he worked his way up in his final season and was the starting center fielder while serving as the team's captain. He's athletic enough to excel as a five-tool player, but must develop his skills and production.
If Wakabayashi can hit, there's a chance he could be an outfield regular sooner than later. At worst, he can be a pinch runner. Tetsuya Shiozaki also compared him to Shuta Tonosaki, though he is lanky and thin.
On a past trivial note, he was a Lions fan growing up and his father is a priest of Jōdo Shinshū. His name Gakuto refers to Gagaku music, a classical style in Japan. The 楽人 indicates he's a "Gaku person".
Team Quote: "A right outfielder with high power at all levels of offense and defense. His base running is also decent."
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Fifth Round: P Ren Ohmagari (大曲錬)
Ohmagari's family name could be romanized as Oomagari or Omagari given the information obtained. It will be up to him when his uniform comes out to determine this question mark.
College: Fukuoka University (Fukuoka)
High School: Nippon Nishi (Fukuoka)
Date of Birth: May 21, 1998
Height: 179 cm (5' 10")
Weight: 78 kg (172 lbs)
Throws/Bats: Right/Right
Ohmagari can hit 154 km/h (96 mph) and can throw a fastball, cutter, changeup, slider and splitter. What makes this pick unique is how he was semi-rigid (Rubber/Soft?) ball player. The Lions went of his stock during his junior year where he achieved a Best IX and MVP award during the spring season.
His senior year was mostly cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but he was a regular starting pitcher at Fukuoka University. He'll need to improve location of off-speed pitches, though his fastball was attractive. They liked the potential in his cutter and splitter.
Team Quote: "A pitcher who throws a well-balanced and well-spun breaking ball. The splitter is also good with the ability to strikeout batters."
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Sixth Round: IF Brandon Taiga Tysinger (タイシンガー ブランドン 大河)
College: Hokkaido Nogyo Okhotsk (Hokkaido)
High School: Ishikawa (Okinawa)
Date of Birth: June 15, 1998
Height: 179 cm (5' 10")
Weight: 84 kg (185 lbs)
Throws/Bats: Right/Right
Don't let that name fool you, Tysinger is an Okinawan born to an American father and Taiga is his middle name. While it was an initial Twitter controversy on figuring out his name, he would rather be called "Brandon" over Taiga. Primarily a third baseman, he also has experience at shortstop and outfield.
His physical tools are what made scouts interested, saying he's fast and can hit for power. The Lions also liked his defense. In college, he was able to hit for average and his home run ability has potential while also being fast on the base paths. When it comes to his defense, his shoulder strength is impressive with a pitcher's velocity.
Team Quote: "A long-range hitter that sells both shoulder strength and power."
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Seventh Round: OF Yuta Nakamigawa (仲三河優太)
High School: Osaka Toin (Osaka)
Date of Birth: October 22, 2002
Height: 180 cm (5' 11")
Weight: 94 kg (207 lbs)
Throws/Bats: Right/Left
Born and raised in Tochigi, Nakamigawa has been a starting outfielder since his junior year where he showed he can hit for average and power. He would have been hitting in the heart of the order had Osaka Toin played in a Koshien tournament this year as he spent time as a cleanup, 5th and 6th hitter in the lineup.
He was also a pitcher in his first year before becoming a full-time position player. With his fallback option, his max velocity clocked in at 139 km/h (86 mph).
This has potential to become a sleeper pick given he's from Osaka Toin, a school already with a Lions pipeline (see Takeya Nakamura, Tomoya Mori, Masatoshi Okada and Hideto Asamura before him). He could have been a higher draft pick had their been Koshien tournaments or any place to showcase his talents, but he fell deep as a result of 2020.
With his large build, the Lions hope he can be a future cleanup hitter, but it wouldn't hurt if he can hit for average and gappers too.
Team Quote: "An outfielder with a strong body and shoulders who has power to hit and can be a future core player."
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Ikusei
First Round: P Yuto Akagami (赤上優人)
College: Tohoku Koeki University (Yamagata)
High School: Kakunodate (Akita)
Date of Birth: February 10, 1999
Height: 177 cm (5' 10")
Weight: 80 kg (176 lbs)
Throws/Bats: Right/Right
Akagami can hit 153 km/h (95 mph) on the gun, but his control is why he fell to ikusei status. He can throw a fastball, slider, cutter, forkball and changeup.
He was a shortstop in high school and converted to full-time pitcher in his first year at university. Akagami contributed both as a reliever and starter, playing in several top games. In 39 games through his four years, he racked up 162 innings pitched with a 2.00 ERA.
When meeting the Lions representative, Akagami was encouraged with the past Tohoku history of Yusei Kikuchi. They saw enough in his fastball, but he's too raw and will take time to develop. In the long run, they hope he can be a relief pitcher.
Team Quote: "A powerful fastball and a variety of breaking balls are his pitching weapons. Since the pitcher is inexperienced, he has time to grow."
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Second Round: OF Shinya Hasegawa (長谷川信哉)
High School: Tsuruga Kehi (Fukui)
Date of Birth: May 17, 2002
Height: 183 cm (6')
Weight: 80 kg (176 lbs)
Throws/Bats: Right/Right
A Kyoto native, Hasegawa is an athlete who can play 3B as well as any outfield position. The Lions liked his speed and arm strength as a fielder and was impressed with his tournament games through Koshien qualification in the past. With his versatility and athletic measurements, the Lions hope Koji Akiyama is his inspiration.
Team Quote: "Shoulder strength and foot speed are his weapons. He's a player who can be in various places such as the third base and outfield."
Date of Birth: May 17, 2002
Height: 183 cm (6')
Weight: 80 kg (176 lbs)
Throws/Bats: Right/Right
A Kyoto native, Hasegawa is an athlete who can play 3B as well as any outfield position. The Lions liked his speed and arm strength as a fielder and was impressed with his tournament games through Koshien qualification in the past. With his versatility and athletic measurements, the Lions hope Koji Akiyama is his inspiration.
Team Quote: "Shoulder strength and foot speed are his weapons. He's a player who can be in various places such as the third base and outfield."
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Third Round: OF Joseph Ken Miyamoto (宮本ジョセフ拳)
College: Nagoya Gakuin University (Aichi)
High School: Toyokawa (Aichi)
Date of Birth: March 24, 1999
Height: 175 cm (5' 9")
Weight: 86 kg (190 lbs)
Throws/Bats: Right/Right
Born in Mie Prefecture to a Ghanaian father and Japanese mother, Miyamoto played in the second tier division of baseball at Nagoya Gakuin University. He has traits of a power hitter, but the lack of competition faced is what drew his stock to be low. Miyamoto also holds a college track record for the 100 meter dash and was batting leadoff.
Both the Lions and Hanshin Tigers were seen scouting him. Miyamoto's mother passed away three years ago and it is said he picked up a bright personality from his father with a motto of "enjoy life." If his production can translate to NPB, he could find a way up with his physical tools.
Team Quote: "A good player with the abilities of running on offense and defense. His power hitting is also attractive."
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Fourth Round: P Taishi Mameda (豆田泰志)
High School: Urawa Jitsugyo Gakuen (Saitama)
Date of Birth: January 15, 2003
Height: 173 cm (5' 8")
Weight: 80 kg (176 lbs)
Throws/Bats: Right/Right
Mameda can top out at 147 km/h (91 mph) while able to throw a fastball, fork, cutter, slider, curve and changeup. Specifically, his cutter drew attention of scouts.
A Saitama prefecture native, in 40 career high school innings, he reached 55 strikeouts and threw multiple quality starts in the Koshien qualifiers, where most success came as a junior. This is a simple flyer pickup with the hopes of being a control pitcher, where the Lions liked the movement on his fastball.
Team Quote: "He's small, but with horsepower. His fastball has outstanding sharpness and he can be a local Saitama star."
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Fifth Round: P Yoshinobu Mizukami (水上由伸)
College: Shikoku Gakuin University (Kagawa)
High School: Teikyo Daisan (Yamanashi)
Date of Birth: July 13, 1998
Height: 176 cm (5' 9")
Weight: 81 kg (179 lbs)
Throws/Bats: Right/Right
Mizukami tops out at 150 km/h (93 mph) with the ability to throw a fastball, cutter, fork, slider and curve. He converted to pitcher full time in his junior year of college and won Best IX once at that position. Originally an outfielder, he also had two Best IX titles as a position player.
A Lions scout said he needs to bulk up and work on his control as a pitcher to make the next leap. If his fastball location can be fixed, he will get a promotion.
On a trivial note, his father was a Yomiuri Giants fan and he was named after former player/manager Yoshinobu Takahashi. His father has since told the media he will be a Lions fan.
Team Quote: "A player who has fastball potential and can reach the 70-man roster as soon as possible if his accuracy and control improves."
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Reaction:
So the Lions didn't address much pitching in this class and took mostly position players in the main draft? It's a vote of confidence in previous classes. It would be huge if both Sasaki and Watanabe can make an ichi-gun impact sooner than later, with Sasaki hoping to fill a void in left-handed pitching help.
There's potential for more immediate help with college players in this class, but they still have lots to prove. What is interesting is seeing two powerhouse high schools in Tokaidai Sagami and Osaka Toin taken by the Lions with the latter drawing lots of thrills for the fans given the pipeline connections. Could there be a steal there? Time will tell.
It's also noteworthy to see five ikusei taken in this class, showing more commitment to finding a diamond in the rough. An ikusei staff started recently and now they'll have their hands full with several players coming in.
We took to Twitter your reactions to this class:
This will be interesting to look at given the circumstances and information available on all draft prospects. It's a larger crapshoot than previous years.#埼玉西武ライオンズ 2020ドラフトクラスの採点方法を教えてください?
— Graveyard Baseball (@GraveyardBall) November 13, 2020
How do you grade the #SeibuLions 2020 Draft class?
RT and spread @Cape_Lions @64Uni_Lions @nerimamo
#NPBeng
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