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The Saitama Seibu Lions are currently 15-13 through 28 games in the 2025 season. So far, this is progress given last year, the 2024 season was already declared over on this blog after a 1-9 start that was deserving.
Currently, the Lions sit in 3rd place of the Pacific League, only behind the Orix Buffaloes and Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters.
Here are some things to remember for the month:
Seiya Watanabe is promising
Until he was injured, Watanabe showed exactly why the media thought of him as a first round draft pick. He can hit for average with good defense.
It's been the biggest elephant in the room for the last few years with a lack of development on draft picks. He's been living up to the hype and filling a void.
While it's unlikely he will hit .400 for the entire year, does he have a better chance to knock in some RBIs with runners in scoring position? Yes.
The offense could very well hinge on what Watanabe does.
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Rotation continues it's form from last year, possible Sawamura candidates
Chihiro Sumida and Tatsuya Imai have done their part, but don't always get the run support. Amazingly, the combined no-hitter thrown on April 18 was a scary one given the Lions only scored two runs and had to throw Kaima Taira in for the 9th. There was also a conceded run where it was tied 1-1 late in the game.
Shinya Sugai and Yutaro Watanabe are providing good value while not trying to do too much.
For Imai, he's chasing a historic season up to this point where his ERA stands below 1.00 and has shown he can control his stamina with runners on base or the bases being empty. A true ace, he's been carrying this unit for awhile.
Kona Takahashi is also rebounding from a brutal 2024, finally winning a game for the first time since 2023 and putting in quality starts. He's no ace or close to the best pitcher in the Lions rotation, but there is still something to prove if he wants to go to MLB. He has domestic free agent rights at the end of this season, which likely prompts a posting if he continues at this pace.
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Foreign signings showing more positives
To start with the bad, it's Leandro Cedeño. Thought to be the cleanup hitter and fill a void in having some pop, he has failed to keep his everyday starting job and the Lions look like they're seeking other players.
He still has a chance to do something, but he already has an uphill battle.
Tyler Nevin's defense is gold glove worthy and his offense is respectable. He may not have the power hitting that every team seeks, but that's alright. So f as far, he's keeping his head down and making good approaches towards the plate. In short, he has passed the opening test through April.
Emmanuel Ramirez has been given low leverage situations and could earn more innings if someone shows flaws down the road.
Trey Wingenter earned the setup role and his mix of pitches from high velocity to going off speed has done wonders. It's amazing to see hitters tricked when he isn't throwing the heat and won't be a one dimensional fastball hurler.
With three out of four new signings staying relevant, it would keep an A-class status for the team at this pace.
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Bullpen and Nishiguchi still a work in progress
Fumiya Nishiguchi has mostly stayed out of the spotlight. Some questionable sending decisions by new 3B coach Masato Kumashiro has led to bad outs. Yes, the lack of power pushes the Lions to stretch their runners and extra 90 feet, but it's unwise to do so when it's obvious a few outfielders will get to the ball easily. Against Rakuten, Kumashiro should have never attempted the walkoff in the bottom of the 9th.
For bullpen decisions, Nishiguchi has been experimental for medium leverage. The 8th and 9th innings with a lead are a no brainer, but the 7th inning and before is where it gets uncertain.
The options are there, but it's playing the right person at the right time being a learning lesson.
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Possible resurgence and breakthrough?
Shuta Tonosaki has been fine since swinging to 3B, but it's Manaya Nishikawa who has shown the most improvement among starters from last year. It would be important if the Lions outfielders can keep their jobs without poor performance.
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The Pacific League competition leaves the door open
The Lions were considered the worst Pacific League team coming off the disaster of the 2024 season. Yet only one has had their number in the Chiba Lotte Marines, who aren't even good. Is it because Aito was taken in the Active Player Draft two years ago?
Against other Pacific League teams, they've held their ground and fortunately, they've gotten enough breaks to be on the winning side of one-run games being 7-3 up to this point.
Just enough offense has prevented any free fall, but the depth from scoring at the bottom of the order leaves a lot to be desired. A correction could happen later this year which we don't want to see.
However, it's nice to see there is already improvement on offense and all it took was a rookie second round draft pick. We can enjoy this ride for now.
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