Prized pitcher Matsuzaka given OK to pitch in MLB

[Lintyfresh85]

Re: Prized pitcher Matsuzaka given OK to pitch in MLB

Unless he learns how to throw a two-seamer or sinker he's going to follow every other Japanese pitcher into oblivion.

Nomo won over 120 games and threw 2 no hitters... that's a pretty good career if you ask me.

[bravosfan]

Re: Prized pitcher Matsuzaka given OK to pitch in MLB

He does not throw the mysterious gyro-ball, that was a false reports a few years ago that he cleared up during the WBC. He does, however, throw as hard as 97mph with a lot of movement on his pitches. If he's healthy, there's no reason to think he couldn't do well for himself at this level. As was already pointed out though, it will cost a lot to get this guy and I have to believe that if the Yankees want him (and why wouldn't they?) they'll get him.

I stand corrected then. Looks like he's got pretty good stuff, though, regardless.

Wish the Braves could afford him...

[skitch]

Re: Prized pitcher Matsuzaka given OK to pitch in MLB

I saw him hit 94/95 in that video, and he had that filthy splitter. He's still fairly young, so he has time to adjust to the MLB. Like JJ said earlier, though, I just hope we see the best of him before his arm wears out.

[specialman1234]

Re: Prized pitcher Matsuzaka given OK to pitch in MLB

1. The fastball hit 95 at the most in the video and that was in the early innings. Unless he has another offspeed pitch, MLB hitters will catch up to it.

2. The split-finger, while having SICK movement, is too high in the zone. Someone waiting for it will DESTROY it. However, if he gets it down, forget it, it'll be better . . . MUCH better than Clemens own.

[chippered]

Re: Prized pitcher Matsuzaka given OK to pitch in MLB

I can see the usual suspects lined up to get him: Yankees, Red Sox, Mariners. Also could possibly see the Dodgers or Angels making a run for him.

[TheTruth916]

Re: Prized pitcher Matsuzaka given OK to pitch in MLB

Padres are interested in him as well as the top 3rd basemen in japan forgot his name.

[Sedihawk2K5]

Re: Prized pitcher Matsuzaka given OK to pitch in MLB

Don't forget who owns the Mariners, Yamauchi of Nintendo. There is a story back in 2000 that he basically commanded the M's suits to get Ichiro at any cost, and they topped every posting offer. The word is he feels very strong about Matsusaka, and that there are rumors the M's will take the posting to $25 million, if not MORE. We'll see what happens.

I heard Jayson Stark say that he's a top 5 starter in the bigs RIGHT NOW, and that many scouts he talked to at the WBC said he's as can't miss as it gets. It's not just his stuff, but he's supposedly just a monster competitor and just feeds of the challenge, and is dying to get to the US. But we know that nothing is for sure! Still....at 26 years of age, and to pair him with young Felix, might make for a promising top of the rotation pair for my down-trodden M's.

[CMH]

Re: Prized pitcher Matsuzaka given OK to pitch in MLB

Nomo won over 120 games and threw 2 no hitters... that's a pretty good career if you ask me.

eh, ok, I'll give it to you. Nomo had a pretty good career. I still don't like his career WHIP, and I think his wins are a product of the teams he played on, but he was still a good bottom rotation guy.

[bigfnjoe96]

Re: Prized pitcher Matsuzaka given OK to pitch in MLB

Hideki Irabu this guy is not...

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[CMH]

Re: Prized pitcher Matsuzaka given OK to pitch in MLB

Man, he owns that one power hitter.

But, I noticed that he tips his off-speed pitches. Right now, I don't know how it's viewed from the hitter's perspective, but he has a full follow thru on his fastballs - his leg even rises up ala Pedro Martinez. He cuts off his motion on off-speed pitches.

Of course, I'm not up there facing 96 mph, but it was once said that Nomo's fastball became hittable once hitters learned to read his split-finger.

[eXperiment63]

Re: Prized pitcher Matsuzaka given OK to pitch in MLB

If the batter is focused on his leg for a split second after the ball is released he is toast anyways. As long as he doesn't tip BEFORE he releases the ball, he'll be fine.

[Lintyfresh85]

Re: Prized pitcher Matsuzaka given OK to pitch in MLB

anyone else laugh uncontrollably after watching Karem(SP) Garcia bat against that guy? His swing was pathetic!

[ehh]

Re: Prized pitcher Matsuzaka given OK to pitch in MLB

Thing is, he isn't a free agent, so he's going to have to sign with a team like Ichiro did. Teams are going to have to bid just to have the rights to negotiate with him. It cost the Mariners $13 million to negotiate with Ichiro, and then they had to sign him, and I've heard it's going to cost more than that to get this guy. Then he's going to get a big contract too.

A lot of money for an unknown.

So basically he's gonna be a Yankee, Met or Red Sox.

[CMH]

Re: Prized pitcher Matsuzaka given OK to pitch in MLB

If the batter is focused on his leg for a split second after the ball is released he is toast anyways. As long as he doesn't tip BEFORE he releases the ball, he'll be fine.

Exactly.

That's why I'm interested in knowing what he does from a batter's point of view.

But, you're right. If the tip comes after he throws the pitch then it won't matter.

[CoRruPt-]

Re: Prized pitcher Matsuzaka given OK to pitch in MLB

Nomo won over 120 games and threw 2 no hitters... that's a pretty good career if you ask me.

Yeah, but most Japanese pitchers who make it here end up failing miserably. Take Kaz Ishii, who initially signed with the Dodgers after they paid some odd $20M in negotiation fees. And he only pitches 3 years in the majors, 2 with the Dodgers, I believe, before heading back to Japan.