Former MLB Players In Japan
The following is a list of former Major League ballplayers making the jump to the Japanese League:
Hanshin Tigers:
Lew Ford (OF, Twins): Promising five tool player seemed on the verge of greatness in 2004, even finishing 24th in MVP voting when he hit 15 HRs, stole 20, and sported a .381 OBP. Went downhill from there and spent half of 2007 in the minors.
Scott Atchison (P, Giants): Former Mariners prospect most recently with the Giants had a solid 2007 in Fresno, ending with a 2.01 ERA and 0.97 WHIP. Appeared in 22 games with the big club, but gave up five HRs in 30 innings.
Hiroshima Toyo Carp:
Colby Lewis (P, A’s): Appeared in 26 games with the big club last season. Was great in Sacramento going 8-3, a 1.88 ERA and a WHIP a shade under one (0.97).
Ben Kozlowski (P, Yankees): Was signed as a free agent by the Yankees in early 2007. Had a 3.00 ERA in 42 games at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
Mike Schultz (P, Diamondbacks): Had a one-inning shot of espresso with the big club this year. Was used mostly as a long reliever with the Tucson Sidewinders, going 4-5 through 78 innings.
Scott Seabol (IF, Marlins): Hit 32 HRs, with 100 R, 105 RBIs for the Albuquerque Isotopes of the Pacific League in 2007.
Tokyo Yakult Swallows:
Daniel Rios (P, Doosan Bears): The 35-year-old Rios comes off an MVP year in the Korean leauge in which he won 22 games and kept his ERA right around two.
Yokohama BayStars:
Dave Williams (P, Mets): At one time lefty projected to be part of a young great Pirates rotation. Good control, .614 winning pct. in the minors.
Travis Hughes (P, Red Sox): 6 ft. 5 in. 235 pounder could be a monster in Japan. Saved 24 with a 1.91 ERA, 29 walks in 75.1 innings at Pawtucket in 2007.
Larry Bigbie (OF, Braves): Once a top Orioles prospect is an average fielder, but has a major league arm. Solid gap hitter.
Mike Wood (P, Rangers): Has thrown 344 innings in the major leagues. Career minor league record of 49-18 (3.13 ERA, 1.16 WHIP)
J.J. Furmaniak (IF, A’s): Hit 15 HR, stole 21 bases last year for the Sacramento River Cats.
Yomiuri Giants:
Adrian Burnside (P, Padres): Former Dodgers prospect reinvented himself as a reviever in 2005 with solid results.
Chiba Lotte Marines:
Brian Sikorski (P, Indians): Well travelled reliever posted 21 Ks in 15 innings for Indians affiliate in Buffalo during 2007 before signing with Yakult.
Winston Abreu (P, Nationals): Was dominant over 52 innings in Triple A Columbus averaging 1.6 Ks/Inn. Threw 30 innings with the big club mostly during May and June.
Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks:
Michael Restovich (OF, Nationals): Former Twins prospect batted .270/.332/.503 with 20 HRs and 58 RBI in 97 games in Columbus.
D.J. Houlton (P, Dodgers): Big kid out of Southern California went 12-5 with a 2.94 ERA in Double A Round Rock in 2004.
Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters:
Termel Sledge (OF, Padres): In 2006 Sledge went .311/.402/.583 with an OPS of .985. in Triple-A Portland. Could become the Eric Davis of Japan.
Seibu Lions:
Matt Kinney (P, Giants): Former member of the Brewers rotation has been prone to the longball in the U.S., but will succeed in Japan if he keeps the ball down and in the park.
Craig Brazell (1B, Royals): Free swinger smacked 33 doubles and 32 HRs for the Omaha Royals last season.
Hiram Bocachica (OF, Padres): Opposite of free swinger was once a Moneyball project. Posted OBPs of .444, .422, and .450 the past three years for the Sacramento River Cats. Was picked up off waivers by the Padres during last season.
(Courtesy of the East Windup Chronicle)
No Responses to “Former MLB Players In Japan”
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.