New RBI machine in NPB:Hotaka Yamakawa

Most of baseball fans in Japan can predict that he can be a core role in batting lineup, but how about current his stats? Hotaka Yamakawa is absolutely above our expectation.

A new age slugger in Saitama Seibu Lions marked 11HR, 33RBI by 23th games of this year. If he can keep this pace, he will reach 68HR, 205RBI. It mean he may break untouchable records of single season;60HR (W.Balentien 2013), 161RBI (Makoto Kozuru 1950). Also it may be possible to reach .487OBP (Hiromitsu Ochiai 1986), .779SLG (W,Balentien 2013).

Especially, "161RBI" has been untouchable one for almost 70 years in NPB. R.Rose (153RBI / 134games 1999) and Makoto Imaoka (147RBI / 146games 2005) tried to reach out, it has been still untouchable one. The fact that Kozuru marked it by just 130 games also make baseball fans amaze.

Nobody knows if he can keep this pace. But the moment of broken of "untouchable" records will be the time of coming new generation of NPB.

"Super" Itoi will penetrate his limit.

The "real" five tool player in NPB will renew his career high stats in end of the season if he can keep these top form with surging team. His sensation will also attract attentions by MLB scouts.

Yoshio Itoi, 32 years old OF of Orix, pull the team on their lineup No.3 or 4 this season. They just hit midpoint of the season, 72th games, and Itoi has kept highest stats of the league; .351 BA, 94 hits, 22 double, 145 TB, 22 SB, and .541 SLG.

And If he can keep his top condition, most of his batting stats will notch highest one. These numbers will be like that; 188 hits, 44 double, 18 HR, 290 TB, 88 RBI, 44 SB, .351/.417/.541. He will also put his shelf some batting titles trophy. The leading hitter, most hits in a season, and stolen base king. And more, he may be praised as MVP of the league if the team keep the top place of the league until the end of season.

These shining topics will not be ignored by MLB scouts who values Japanese outfielders. So he has already showed strong arm and wide range of outfield (mostly RF, but placed on CF before), batting prestige will let MLB scouts add more detail comments for documents.

He has silinced about adoration for MLB in this season, and the team has policy that they will not permit posting. But as Masahiro Tanaka, the championship of Nippon Series or Climax Series may let him post. Anyway, we should not bear watchig for him.

Former pitcher will take the spot of 1B in the opening day.

This 2014 year will be 2nd season for him as a batter, and it also will be 8th year for him as a professional baseball player. This year may be his turning point for him on his baseball career.

Fumikazu Kimura, former No.1 drafted player, finished his preseason games with good lines; 15 games, 42 AB, 13 hits, 1 double, 2 triples, 1 HR, 5 RBIs, 5 SB, .500 SLG, .431 OBP, and .310 BA. This .310 is 10th on all players in preseason.

Any way, can you believe that this stats were created by a player who had been pitcher until 2 years ago?

He drafted in 2006 as a No.1 player in the Saitama Seibu. His fastball notched 152km/h (95mph), and appeared 2 1games in 2011. But his command couldn't be better, and couldn't get any chance as a pitcher by injuries. These elements and his great slugger sense made him convert from the mound to the plate.

His massive training as a batter connected the result soon. In 5/13/2013, he smashed two out-of-the-park homer from Shohei Otani on a farm game. And he also marked first career homerun at Yokohama in 5/28/2013.

The spark couldn't continue until the end of season in 2013, but it will be about to fascinate baseball fans in 2014.

Veteran RH will be placed on bullpen to revive again

He just has left 18 wins for 200 wins club, but 41 years old right-hander will be part of reliever this year.

As the Saitama Seibu's new manager, Haruki Ihara, revealed his plan in spring training, former an ace of the team pitched 3/6 and 3/8 as a reliever. And he threws 1 IP in 3/11; 22 pitches, 4 AB, 1 H, 1 SO, 0 BB, and 0 R/ER.

Fumiya Nishiguchi, Saitama Seibu's veteran RHP, had competed the rotation spot until las year. 7 years (from 1996 to 2002) consecutive double digit wins achiever. He riveved in 2011 after struggled years by 11 wins include first shutout game since 2005.

Norimoto will be successor of Japanese "living legend".

Masahiro Tanaka has been still the center of hot stove league. Nobody has not known his next home in U.S, but there is the fact he is about to across the Pacific ocean, and the Rakuten Golden Eagles must compensate the big hole of "Living Legend" of Japanese baseball.

But most of Japanese baseball fans likely notice one of young right-hander, Takahiro Norimoto, will be part of the core in their rotation automatically. His success in 2013 season was big hope for the Rakuten fans, who might know the rumor Tanaka will leave the team after the season. It let Rakuten fans allow Tanaka to go MLB.

The rookie of the year 2013 in the Pacific League and opening game starter of the team collect 15 wins at last, and showed he could endure big pressure on post season by his fastball, slider, change-up, and extraordinary mental strength. It made him became the first pitcher who notched double digit strikeout on the Climax Series and the Nippon Series.

The 23 years old right-hander just finished his first season as a professional baseball player, but Tanaka himself appoint Norimoto as a successor of him. The young Japanese baseball legend may found or notice some essence of an ace in Norimoto.

Stay or go? Will Masahiro Tanaka goes MLB?

There are many rumors. If Japanese media tell some story, U.S media tell it in the country. It is same with time when Daisuke Matsuzaka and Yu Darvish were about to go to MLB.

But, nobody has been able to touch with the truth; If Masahiro can go to MLB. It is said next Monday or Tuesday will be the X-Day. Rakuten may show their clear opinion for Tanaka's challenge.

Some media and fans guess Rakuten will allow him to be bet in the new posting system. And the other media and fans think the Tohoku's team will not give a chance to go MLB for the living legend of Japanese baseball.

I also don't know Rakuten's decision. The most important point for the team may to find the way to explain the topic―― whether Tanaka's challenge is so beneficial for the Rakuten Eagles and their sponsors. If they can't find the answer, the way to MLB will be closed for Tanaka.

The fan's opinions are also divided. Some fans hope to watch the Japanese new young ace's great success in MLB, but the other fans want to his next making legend in our country. It is difficult to admit which is the best or better answer for Tanaka, Japanese fans, and Japanese baseball.

The Pacific League launched social media, facebook and twitter.

One of the Japanese baseball league, the Pacific League, begin their social media page on facebook and twitter in last week.

Official facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pacificleaguetv
Official twitter page: https://twitter.com/pacificleaguetv

You can check some game and players movie on their page. They are now on play-off, the Climax Series Final stage. So you can watch Masahiro Tanaka's brilliant pitching, Andrew Jones' powerful batting, and Tadahito Iguchi.

You can't miss it.