Checking out a couple of Japanese imports
Posted by erik in Hot Stove, tags: Kenshin Kawakami, Koji UeharaThis isn’t farm related, but I haven’t really seen anyone else talking about it. Strauss is saying Mozeliak is tiring of the waiting game Brian Fuentes is playing, and there is now the potential that the Cards could refocus on signing a Japanese pitcher, either Koji Uehara or Kenshin Kawakami.
Here’s some video of both pitchers-
Koji Uehara
Kenshin Kawakami
You can also check out Camden Depot for a rather thorough scouting report on Uehara, and NPB Tracker has this profile on Kawakami.
I’m really hoping deal with Fuentes does fall through, if for no other reason it will make draft day exceedingly lame without a first round pick. As for these two pitchers, give me Uehara.
Glad to see the Cardinals becoming more global in their efforts to unearth talent.
Entries (RSS)
anyone know what kinds of contract these guys are looking for…they both look intriguing as long as it isn’t for dasuke money
I read Kawakami is looking for around 7M per season, not sure on Uehara.
I love the big slooooooooooow curve Kawakami throws…that is sweet…I bet it makes his cutter look like Mo Rivera. I would much rather have one of these two for 7M per than Fuentes for 10M minus a draft pick A-N-Y day of the week…and of course twice on Sunday!
first thing cool to see videos on both guys. agree nomar the curve was nice. after seeing both it looks like kawakami is a little better(as has been reported) but they both had good movement on their pitches. i believe the ball is different over there so hopefully that translates. im glad that we r looking at japanese pitchers but im not sure they want to play here. geographically it doesnt make much sense. there also isnt much of an asian population here. all im saying is if i was asain i could pick 20 teams id rather play for. i like the idea of finding rotation help. i would like to see us pick up a 5/6 starter, maybe a young guy in a trade. either that or give penny an incentive laden deal.
Looks like Uehara’s fastball and curve are about average, but man is that a nasty cutter. 4:08….wow.
Maybe it’s just the small screen I was watching it on, but I don’t want either of the pitchers. Both pitchers pitches were really straight except for Kawakami’s curve ball. I prefer Kawakami, but not for the major league team.
Really?!? Were you watching the same video of Kawakami that I was. I like him a lot. There is plenty of movement on his pitches, not to mention he looks like he is very good at hitting his spots. $7m/year on Kawakami would be money well spent. I predict a 2009 MLB line of ERA 3.83 / 190 IP / 165 K / 60 BB and a record of 15-8 if he is with the ‘Birds.