New York Mets Interested In High School Pitcher
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Re: New York Mets Interested In High School Pitcher
[ Author: Jen Wei | Posted: Nov 28, 2005 8:10 PM
| HNHF Fan
]
A lot of Japanese high school pitchers are hoping that they can play in MLB. Even in the last few years there are a lot signing in the Minor System, but until now only Kazuhito Tadano has made it.
Re: New York Mets Interested In High School Pitcher
[ Author: mijow | Posted: Nov 28, 2005 11:29 PM
| HT Fan
]
- A lot of Japanese high school pitchers are hoping that they can play in MLB.
Where do you get this information from? There may be a few who wish to go straight to the MLB, but from what I've seen and heard, most high schoolers still regard the Japanese leagues as the preferred route to a pro baseball career.
There are two big stumbling blocks: (1) Language - most high school baseball players are not exactly - how shall we put this - academically inclined, and the study of foreign languages is hardly their number one priority. (2) Japanese tend to be risk averse, and even if the player himself is willing to roll the dice, he's got the views of the coaches, teachers, and parents to consider. Going through the US minor league system is a big risk, and most won't do it.
I'm not saying they wouldn't like to play in the bigs one day, but realistically, this would be only after they've established themselves in Japan first.
Where do you get this information from? There may be a few who wish to go straight to the MLB, but from what I've seen and heard, most high schoolers still regard the Japanese leagues as the preferred route to a pro baseball career.
There are two big stumbling blocks: (1) Language - most high school baseball players are not exactly - how shall we put this - academically inclined, and the study of foreign languages is hardly their number one priority. (2) Japanese tend to be risk averse, and even if the player himself is willing to roll the dice, he's got the views of the coaches, teachers, and parents to consider. Going through the US minor league system is a big risk, and most won't do it.
I'm not saying they wouldn't like to play in the bigs one day, but realistically, this would be only after they've established themselves in Japan first.
Re: New York Mets Interested In High School Pitcher
[ Author: Guest: Ed Kranepool | Posted: Nov 30, 2005 5:23 AM
]
I agree there is a risk and obstacles. The cultural one is the big one because it will be tough to stay Japanese in one's mind when so much time is spent in the US. The language issue is overcome easier than you think. One season hanging with his team mates in the minors will have any kid speaking fluent English.
But you better be careful about overplaying the baseball risk. If you say the risk in trying for an MLB career is higher than trying for an NPB career, then the logical conclusion is that MLB is harder to crack and is therefore a higher caliber of baseball. Surely you don't mean that?
But you better be careful about overplaying the baseball risk. If you say the risk in trying for an MLB career is higher than trying for an NPB career, then the logical conclusion is that MLB is harder to crack and is therefore a higher caliber of baseball. Surely you don't mean that?
Re: New York Mets Interested In High School Pitcher
[ Author: Something Lions | Posted: Nov 30, 2005 10:34 AM
| SL Fan
]
The risk is higher and so is the reward when it comes to MLB. Maybe some new grads will be risk takers soon, not just when they're forced to, like Tadano.
Re: New York Mets Interested In High School Pitcher
Re: New York Mets Interested In High School Pitcher
[ Author: Guest: Ed Kranepool | Posted: Dec 1, 2005 3:42 AM
]
I was thinking, why limit the high school or college recruiting to just Japanese players. It would be interesting and maybe attractive to some American youngsters to to play in NPB.
There, I think the language problem would be greater, since virtually no American high schoolers study Japanese, but it is doable. Culturally, you don't have the "contamination" issue, as an interested American youngster would assimilate points of Japanese culture into his own multi-cultural experience. For some, it might be a great life journey, but frankly, the better players are going to try for the MLB draft. What would be left for an NPB pool are the adventurous and the overlooked. Of course, huge signing bonuses might level the playing field somewhat.
Also, NPB teams should be looking at Latin American players as well, where the NPB risk/reward equation might be more favorable, especially for a B level prospect.
The question is, how multi-cultural can or should NPB become?
There, I think the language problem would be greater, since virtually no American high schoolers study Japanese, but it is doable. Culturally, you don't have the "contamination" issue, as an interested American youngster would assimilate points of Japanese culture into his own multi-cultural experience. For some, it might be a great life journey, but frankly, the better players are going to try for the MLB draft. What would be left for an NPB pool are the adventurous and the overlooked. Of course, huge signing bonuses might level the playing field somewhat.
Also, NPB teams should be looking at Latin American players as well, where the NPB risk/reward equation might be more favorable, especially for a B level prospect.
The question is, how multi-cultural can or should NPB become?
Re: New York Mets Interested In High School Pitcher
[ Author: Something Lions | Posted: Dec 1, 2005 10:32 AM
| SL Fan
]
NPB already does that with Dominican players, particularly Hiroshima with their academy there. Hiroshima has posted (and traded?) many Dominican players they've developed to the majors. Most notably one time Mets hero(?) Timo Perez [SportsLine].
It would be interesting to see American kids in the NPB system though.
It would be interesting to see American kids in the NPB system though.
Re: New York Mets Interested In High School Pitcher
[ Author: mijow | Posted: Dec 1, 2005 12:31 AM
| HT Fan
]
- If you say the risk in trying for an MLB career is higher than trying for an NPB career, then the logical conclusion is that MLB is harder to crack and is therefore a higher caliber of baseball. Surely you don't mean that?
Well of course MLB is of a higher caliber, and it is harder to crack, but the potential rewards are greater. So maybe those factors cancel each other out.
But that's not what I'm talking about. What I'm saying is that many of these youngsters are quite content to make their careers in Japan, playing in front of large crowds for good money and with a chance to win the Sawamura award for themselves or the Nippon Series for their team. They don't need to go to North America for a chance of baseball glory.
I've spoken to many of these guys. Their dream is to play at Koshien, then for the Hanshin Tigers or Yomiuri Giants. In that order. MLB simply doesn't register on their radar, and that's why I questioned Jen Wei's assertion that there were a lot of young Japanese pitchers wanting to play there.
And why would a young guy with nonexistent or very poor English take the chance in the States when he can just as easily (or more easily) make it at home? Especially when he's got talent and the Japanese scouts are likely to show interest. He may even have a better chance of making more money early in his career in Japan than slogging it out in the North American minors while he develops his skills and waits for a break.
Anyway, I'm sure there will be some who will take the chance, and a handful who will succeed. But the majority won't. That's basically all I'm saying.
Well of course MLB is of a higher caliber, and it is harder to crack, but the potential rewards are greater. So maybe those factors cancel each other out.
But that's not what I'm talking about. What I'm saying is that many of these youngsters are quite content to make their careers in Japan, playing in front of large crowds for good money and with a chance to win the Sawamura award for themselves or the Nippon Series for their team. They don't need to go to North America for a chance of baseball glory.
I've spoken to many of these guys. Their dream is to play at Koshien, then for the Hanshin Tigers or Yomiuri Giants. In that order. MLB simply doesn't register on their radar, and that's why I questioned Jen Wei's assertion that there were a lot of young Japanese pitchers wanting to play there.
And why would a young guy with nonexistent or very poor English take the chance in the States when he can just as easily (or more easily) make it at home? Especially when he's got talent and the Japanese scouts are likely to show interest. He may even have a better chance of making more money early in his career in Japan than slogging it out in the North American minors while he develops his skills and waits for a break.
Anyway, I'm sure there will be some who will take the chance, and a handful who will succeed. But the majority won't. That's basically all I'm saying.
Re: New York Mets Interested In High School Pitcher
[ Author: Guest: Ed Kranepool | Posted: Dec 1, 2005 9:48 AM
]
- Well of course MLB is of a higher caliber...
- Anyway, I'm sure there will be some who will take the chance, and a handful who will succeed. But the majority won't. That's basically all I'm saying.
I agree with you on both statements.
Honestly, I can't imagine a Japanese kid wanting to start his baseball journey in America out of high school. It will probably be a special case where, for some reason, the kid is a good ballplayer, wants to attend university in the US, gets a NCAA baseball scholarship, and then gets drafted by MLB.
- Anyway, I'm sure there will be some who will take the chance, and a handful who will succeed. But the majority won't. That's basically all I'm saying.
I agree with you on both statements.
Honestly, I can't imagine a Japanese kid wanting to start his baseball journey in America out of high school. It will probably be a special case where, for some reason, the kid is a good ballplayer, wants to attend university in the US, gets a NCAA baseball scholarship, and then gets drafted by MLB.
Re: New York Mets Interested In High School Pitcher
[ Author: mijow | Posted: Dec 1, 2005 10:16 PM
| HT Fan
]
- It will probably be a special case where, for some reason, the kid is a good ballplayer, wants to attend university in the US, gets a NCAA baseball scholarship...
Yes, you're probably right.
Yes, you're probably right.
Re: New York Mets Interested In High School Pitcher
[ Author: Jen Wei | Posted: Dec 1, 2005 10:32 AM
| HNHF Fan
]
Can anyone let me know results for Japanese minor league players for this year? The players like Tokuda, Hamaoka, Aarakawa, and Sakamoto?
Re: New York Mets Interested In High School Pitcher
[ Author: Guest: Gary Garland | Posted: Dec 3, 2005 5:24 AM
]
I believe that Colorado let Mitsuru Sakamoto go because Seattle recently hired him as Kenji Johjima's interpreter.
As for Japanese high schoolers or collegians signing with an MLB team, the Mariners and Dodgers have made earnest runs at several big name Japanese prospects over the years and have been turned down. Part of it is money since Japanese teams are willing to offer more, both over and under the table than MLB teams are in terms of signing bonus and salary, and they have a shot at making the big club sooner than in MLB. Then you have the issues of language, America being seen as a big, scary place where everybody has a gun, and other comforts of home like friends, family, and familiar food.
Also, in Japan, these high profile prospects have a name. In the U.S. minors, they are nobody. Athletes, being a rather narcissistic lot generally, perhaps tend to gravitate to immediate fame over one deferred.
As for Japanese high schoolers or collegians signing with an MLB team, the Mariners and Dodgers have made earnest runs at several big name Japanese prospects over the years and have been turned down. Part of it is money since Japanese teams are willing to offer more, both over and under the table than MLB teams are in terms of signing bonus and salary, and they have a shot at making the big club sooner than in MLB. Then you have the issues of language, America being seen as a big, scary place where everybody has a gun, and other comforts of home like friends, family, and familiar food.
Also, in Japan, these high profile prospects have a name. In the U.S. minors, they are nobody. Athletes, being a rather narcissistic lot generally, perhaps tend to gravitate to immediate fame over one deferred.
Re: New York Mets Interested In High School Pitcher
[ Author: Jen Wei | Posted: Dec 4, 2005 10:51 PM
| HNHF Fan
]
Thank you. So your meaning is that if a minor player wants to play in the Major Leagues then he should become "famous" first. Only then can he get the chance. Is that it?
Re: New York Mets Interested In High School Pitcher
[ Author: Guest: John Brooks | Posted: Dec 5, 2005 5:19 AM
]
- So your meaning is that if a minor player wants to play in the Major Leagues then he should become "famous" first. Only then can he get the chance. Is that it?
From what mijow said, correct me if wrong, he is saying that Japanese draftees want to start in the NPB minor league system. In Japan, they don't have to worry about the language barrier, culture barrier, they're near their family, make more money, and they have a easier chance to become successful in Japan at home without all the hardships.
Also, as said above by Gary Garland and Ed Kranepool, America is seen as a scary transistion for a person from far away in Japan. Also, the only time where someone might consider playing in America out of high school is if they were a Japanese student who was a good ballplayer, wanted attend a university in the U.S., and gets a scholarship by the NCAA.
Otherwise I can't see most Japanese kids wanting to start in the Major Leagues when they can become "famous" in the NPB much easier in Japan. Then many successful players then move on to the majors.
From what mijow said, correct me if wrong, he is saying that Japanese draftees want to start in the NPB minor league system. In Japan, they don't have to worry about the language barrier, culture barrier, they're near their family, make more money, and they have a easier chance to become successful in Japan at home without all the hardships.
Also, as said above by Gary Garland and Ed Kranepool, America is seen as a scary transistion for a person from far away in Japan. Also, the only time where someone might consider playing in America out of high school is if they were a Japanese student who was a good ballplayer, wanted attend a university in the U.S., and gets a scholarship by the NCAA.
Otherwise I can't see most Japanese kids wanting to start in the Major Leagues when they can become "famous" in the NPB much easier in Japan. Then many successful players then move on to the majors.
Re: New York Mets Interested In High School Pitcher
Re: New York Mets Interested In High School Pitcher
[ Author: Guest: Ed Kranepool | Posted: Dec 8, 2005 3:33 AM
]
Here is an excerpt from a Mets blog that touches on what I have said before, that perhaps NPB should focus on some of the other global baseball markets outside the US to draw future talent from.
[by Editor: Could you please include a link to the message if possible, or the thread if not?]
After a brief minor league career, Minaya began his second life in baseball as a member of the MLB Scouting Bureau before being hired by the Rangers to scout in his native Dominican Republic. And he's returning to his roots in order to replenish the farm. A major avenue the organization is taking to that end is the improvement and expansion of its academy in the Dominican. "It's become a big emphasis, our Latin program. Not only in finding the talent, but putting together our facilities and upgrading them," the first official confirmed.
"That's the route we have to go right now. There's two different worlds; the scouts in the states are out looking for the best talent they can, and whatever draft pick we have, we have to deal with that," he continued. "But at the same time, we have our guys in the Latin countries looking for the best talent they can. We hope we find the diamond in the rough in the States, and we hope we find the best guy in the Dominican, and the best guy in Venezuela, and we develop all three and all three play in New York together."
[...]
"The international market has become big. It's a way to make up for losing draft picks. But the other thing is, if you ignore that international market, you're working with one hand tied behind your back. You've got to do the draft, you've got to do the international market and you've got to do professional scouting to get prospects from other teams," the second Met front office member said.
[by Editor: Could you please include a link to the message if possible, or the thread if not?]
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In the game featuring Komazawa University Tomakomai High School against Waseda Jitsugyo High School at Jingu Stadium, Tanaka came on in relief with one out in the 4th inning, after the Komazawa starting pitcher gave up 3 runs. With a runner on 2nd, Tanaka struck out the next two batters to end the inning and the threat, including one on a 135 kph slider. Tanaka also struck out the next 3 batters in the 5th inning, for 5 consecutive strikeouts. Tanaka ended up pitching 5 2/3 innings of relief, giving up 2 hits, striking out 13, and not giving up any runs. On one pitch in the 7th inning, he was clocked at 149 kph.
The article continuously compares Tanaka with Matsuzaka, noting that for a tournament, Tanaka's 13 strike outs fell just one shy of Matsuzaka's 14 K record set back in 1997. The New York Mets' Pacific Rim scout Isao Ojimi stated, "I came to watch Tanaka. Compared to the Summer Koshien Tournament, his body is one size larger. His speed and the cut on his change-ups are spectacular. He has enough ability to be a future major-leaguer. I'd really like to bring him to MLB during next year's draft."
[Original article from Web Hochi (in Japanese)]