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« Odds & Ends: Astros, Giants, Nationals | Main | Week In Review: 10/18/09 - 10/24/09 »
Yusei Kikuchi To Stay In Japan
SUNDAY, 8:52pm: NPB Tracker's Patrick Newman brings us his thoughts on Kikuchi's long-awaited decision. On a human level, Newman is happy to see the youngster stay in Japan as the process appeared to be bringing him a great deal of stress. Dealing with the American media at the age of 18 would require a very thick skin.
SATURDAY, 10:05pm: Highly touted left-handed pitcher Yusei Kikuchi has announced that he will stay in Japan after meeting with eight MLB teams and 12 NPB clubs, according to Kyodo News. Kikuchi chatted with the Red Sox, Dodgers, Rangers, Giants, Indians, Yankees, Mets and Mariners before opting not to make the leap to the United States.
Leading up to his announcement, outlets in Japan claimed that the 18-year-old would state his desire to continue playing baseball in his home country. Earlier this month, Patrick Newman of NPB Tracker compiled a scouting report on the hotly sought-after hurler and noted that his dream is to pitch in the major leagues. We may still see Kikuchi in MLB down the road, but not in 2010.
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oh well...good luck in japan!
Posted by: metsfan08 | October 24, 2009 at 09:59 PM
Well that was close to ruining the NPB.
Posted by: humannature | October 24, 2009 at 10:19 PM
thats good news in my book. japan needs their talent too
Posted by: ECT | October 24, 2009 at 10:35 PM
Kid has alot of heart to give up the money he would have made in America vs. what he can make in Japan.
Posted by: iceonfire | October 24, 2009 at 10:37 PM
At least if the MLB is not going to get these NPB Prospects, they can give the prospects better bargaining position. Then that will give more of them incentive to stay.
Posted by: manny24 | October 24, 2009 at 10:58 PM
"Kid has alot of heart to give up the money he would have made in America vs. what he can make in Japan."
I gotta wonder a couple of things. First of all I wonder if politics came into play, some kind of under the table deal of do this and we'll make sure you get more money in bonuses (if that's how it works in NPB)... just some kind of understanding was reached with the NPB. Otherwise if Japanese prospects saw Kikuchi running for the MLB, it might start a movement. Secondly, I wonder if some Japanese MLB players talked to him and warned him that he would have twice as much work in simply switching cultures and styles of baseball.
Posted by: start_wearing_purple | October 24, 2009 at 11:49 PM
also, just coming 1/2 way across the world is difficult. Let alone for a teenager. Hed have so many expectations. I bet he talked to some vets and decided to start out there
Posted by: lakersdodgersyankees4life | October 25, 2009 at 12:17 AM
So...?
I wish that Yu Darvish would decide he wants to come to the majors. He is a great pitcher. Alas, he seemingly has no interest.
Posted by: rememberthecoop | October 25, 2009 at 12:57 AM
" I wonder if some Japanese MLB players talked to him and warned him that he would have twice as much work in simply switching cultures and styles of baseball."
You mean like Matsuzaka (the national idol) and how everything is 100% different here and how finesse does not work? If so, good thought, but not so sure SWP.
I am kind of glad that he decided to stay though, because Boston would have ran out Matsuzaka, Okajima and Tazawa to recruit him instead and think he would have probably have chosen them over the Yankees, who have a horrific record with Japanese pitchers, the NYM who have no record of them and anybody else.
Posted by: johns | October 25, 2009 at 05:44 AM
in japan, when amateur players, whether it be a high-school player or a college player, decide what to do, traditionally his coach is heavily involved in the decision making. and a lot of times so are his parents. i'm not going to say what's what, but am pretty sure that played a significant role here. and i've also read and heard about some pressure from the npb clubs (i.e. lobbying the kikuchi side not to talk with the mlb clubs citing the "gentleman's agreement"). politics? probably.
whatever the case was, i'm pretty disappointed that i won't get to see him pitch in the major leagues for a while.
Posted by: mr met | October 25, 2009 at 09:59 AM
thank god, we could have had dice-k 2.0 on our hands (only kind of joking)
Posted by: rollins94 | October 25, 2009 at 09:22 PM
It's nice to see Japan keep one of it's young phenom player's. I belive it was a documentary about Bobby Valentine in Japan, where much of the focus was on young Japanese players leaving for the states, and the negative effect it had and is having on the NPB. Enjoy Japan, kid.
Posted by: Tomahawk368 | October 25, 2009 at 09:25 PM