on the 22 year old Japanese pitcher that throws 100+, hits when he pitches AND when he's not pitching. He throws right and bats left, he hits leadoff and hits a bunch of homers too. He is called the Babe Ruth of Japanese baseball. He will be eligible to come to the U.S. next year. He makes $2 million a year now, MLB rules say he can't be paid more then $6 million a year if he comes here before he turns 25. Strange rule. He says he doesn't care about the money, he just wants to compete against the best in the world. He recorded the fastest pitch ever thrown in Japan at 102.5. Most think he won't even talk to team that doesn't intend to let him do both here. I guess he'll be an American league guy all the way.
Did anybody else see the 60 minutes story
- Thread starter 3Rfan
- Start date
Yes, this is the first time I have heard of him. I don't do saber metrics and I certainly don't follow Japanese baseball. They didn't say he plays anywhere on defense, only that he hits on some of his off days. He takes off 2 days before his starts so I assume he is only hitting 3 days when not pitching. Didn't sound like money is a big thang for him and they can't offer him more than $6 million, which I assume anyone interested would offer.
Or maybe 1st base or CF. Our new center fielder/leadoff man ain't exactly settin the league on fire with his bat. Not by average or OBP. Piscotty had a good game at the plate, maybe somebody else will get hot soon, maybe several somebody's. It will be interesting to see if the Japanese phenom can hit that well against MLB pitching.I bet he could play LF for the Birds
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