Maybe it's the post-4:30 delirium of the work day, but I'm sitting here in my office at my job situation and singing the Ken Kawakami song... which I'm also inventing as I go along. It's a choppy medium tempo song that has a rhythm like, buum - ba - ba - ba - bum... Ken Kaw wa kam ee, batters want their mommy, Ken Kaw wa kam ee, eat some edamame.
This is why I don't share that often.
Anyway, I'm basically marvelling at the marvelous start our new Japanese starter is having. Yes, it's only spring training, but two outings, five innings, and one hit... and he's apparently working on pitches. I guess I shouldn't be surprised. We're talking about Braves scouts who recommended this player. For not really knowing what we were getting, he certainly is giving us reason to be hopeful that we got the best that Japan had to offer.
0 recs | 26 comments
That was the most beautiful thing I’ve read all day, gondeee. Thank you for that. Hahahaha
Gage23 - March 4, 2009
Kawakami
What were his peripheral stats like in Japan (K, BB, HR%)?
vr, Xei
Xeifrank - March 4, 2009
BP
had an article on ESPN a few days ago about projecting Japanese pitchers – i’d suggest you start there.
Hizilla - March 4, 2009
Linky
His K/BB ratio over the last 4 years or so is 5:1.
VictorW - March 5, 2009
Wish I could be drunk at my job…
Smoltz's Beard - March 4, 2009
Yeah...
I smell Listerine wafting in from gondee’s general direction.
Lizziebeth - March 4, 2009
GIVE ME SOME OF THAT KAWAKAMI KOOL-AID…. 2009 ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
sdp - March 4, 2009
Nickname, maybe?
Kool-Aid Kawakami?
FineHamAbounds - March 4, 2009
bwellnjonesco - March 4, 2009
very nice
BraveBronco0121 - March 4, 2009
+1
love it
Smoltz's Beard - March 4, 2009
haha
that made my day right there
MIZIKE - March 4, 2009
I can't decide
If this is better or the KK song! But I can see that .gif becoming a staple here. Perhaps after most of FYF’s PA’s.
WienerDog - March 5, 2009
+1
Its like he’s peering into my soul and calling me a dumbass.
10-4 - March 5, 2009
awesome
+1
bravesguy311 - March 5, 2009
WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY TO EARLY
MIZIKE - March 4, 2009
yea i was actually at the game today and he was great
he’ll be another great starter for us, he even had one AB before he was taken out in the end of the 3rd
but he has an alright swing… for a pitcher anyway haha
KK is the real deal, and i think he even hit up in the 94 area, most of his stuff (Fastballs were in the upper 80s mid 90s
his curve whoa what a pitch
he has the right stuff and with a little adjustment to the American baseball and he’ll be set to be a good pitcher for us for a long time
bravesfan1047 - March 4, 2009
really
fastballs in the upper 80s all the way to hitting the 94 area. sounds like he was all over the place with his velocity. jury is still out if that is a good thing though
MIZIKE - March 4, 2009
well...
Maddux would say that changing speeds is the most important component to pitching.
At least KK has that going for him (even if it was accidental).
apoxonbothyourhouses - March 4, 2009
I wouldn't read too much into spring training numbers...
but if he’s looked sharp (not seen him yet) I see no reason not to feel good.
BraveBronco0121 - March 4, 2009
I was hoping FYF would have a torrid spring and ease my concerns about the OF this year. Sitting at .091 so far.
TradeAndruw - March 5, 2009
That's a number I may read more into...
ugh. FYF looks primed for a run at the wrong kind of history. Single season outs record here we come!
BraveBronco0121 - March 5, 2009
LMAO
chance13ga - March 4, 2009
Too many walks.
He’s still adjusting of course and throwing more curves, but that’s too many walks for a control artist. I think he’ll figure it out once he gets comfortable with the bigger ball though.
VictorW - March 5, 2009
i was at the game yesterday
he gave up several walks, almost walked the bases full in the 3rd, and his stuff is nowhere near over powering. but he did get batters out and no one got the ball very far outta the infield.
GORILLATUX - March 5, 2009
Video on youtube
He dosent throw in the mid 90s..not once. He didnt even touch 93. he is like 87-90 with a really good curve ball and very good control.
The video is in KPH..but that is easy to convert.
jsmall404 - March 5, 2009
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