International Scouting Report
Part Three - More Hitters
Tetsuto Yamada
Japanese Shortstop
He'll turn 22 years old on July 16th and is already in his third season in the Nippon Baseball League. Yamada has shown solid power so far this year hitting ten home runs in 67 games to go along with 21 doubles, one triple and a .330 batting average. Yamada could become an elite hitter one day if he continues to develop his raw power and slugging ability.
Yasmani Thomas
Cuban Outfielder
Thomas defected from Cuba last week and is set to sign a Major League contract once he gains citizenship in another country. Thomas, who is 23 years old, played five years in Serie Nacional and has tremendous power.
Japanese Shortstop
He'll turn 22 years old on July 16th and is already in his third season in the Nippon Baseball League. Yamada has shown solid power so far this year hitting ten home runs in 67 games to go along with 21 doubles, one triple and a .330 batting average. Yamada could become an elite hitter one day if he continues to develop his raw power and slugging ability.
Yasmani Thomas
Cuban Outfielder
Thomas defected from Cuba last week and is set to sign a Major League contract once he gains citizenship in another country. Thomas, who is 23 years old, played five years in Serie Nacional and has tremendous power.
| His 6' 1" 230 pound frame is similar to that of fellow Cuban defector Yasiel Puig. Yasmani hit 43 home runs in 288 career games in Cuba. He was never a real threat on the base paths as he was 15 for 30 over his five-year span in the league. Thomas did post a career .290 average along with a .346 OBP and .854 OPS. He is a monster at the plate and should garner immediate attention in Fantasy leagues. | 
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The 23 year old is exempt from the international bonus pool rules and regulations and does not have to wait until July 2nd to be signed. The right handed hitting Thomas can play Left Field or Right Field but will probably be better suited in Left.
Ryosuke Kikuchi
Japanese Middle Infielder
Kikuchi, only 24 years old, has hit 18 home runs in 270 career games in the JPCL (Japan Central League of the Nippon Baseball League). Ryosuke has managed to hit .325 thus far in 66 games and has 20 extra base hits. Ryosuke is a bit strikeout prone; however, he does have a knack for stealing bases once he gets on base. He's managed to swipe 33 bags in 46 attempts over the past three years.
Shingo Kawabata
Japanese Shortstop and Third Baseman
Kawabata is a high average hitter who has decent power. The 26 year old should be on the radar of all Major League Clubs but I can't foresee him earning a big payday if he is posted by the Yakult Swallows anytime soon.
Adrian Rondon
Dominican Shortstop
Rondon's swing is a thing of beauty, he's smooth and level with the bat and clears his hips well. Rondon should be able to develop into a gap-to-gap hitter and have good power. He's tall and lanky but is only 15 years old, according to reports. We won't see him in the Majors for a while but his name is worth noting.
Ryosuke Kikuchi
Japanese Middle Infielder
Kikuchi, only 24 years old, has hit 18 home runs in 270 career games in the JPCL (Japan Central League of the Nippon Baseball League). Ryosuke has managed to hit .325 thus far in 66 games and has 20 extra base hits. Ryosuke is a bit strikeout prone; however, he does have a knack for stealing bases once he gets on base. He's managed to swipe 33 bags in 46 attempts over the past three years.
Shingo Kawabata
Japanese Shortstop and Third Baseman
Kawabata is a high average hitter who has decent power. The 26 year old should be on the radar of all Major League Clubs but I can't foresee him earning a big payday if he is posted by the Yakult Swallows anytime soon.
Adrian Rondon
Dominican Shortstop
Rondon's swing is a thing of beauty, he's smooth and level with the bat and clears his hips well. Rondon should be able to develop into a gap-to-gap hitter and have good power. He's tall and lanky but is only 15 years old, according to reports. We won't see him in the Majors for a while but his name is worth noting.
| Marco A. Rivera Rios Peurto Rican Outfielder Still only 18 years old, Rivera Rios could continue to develop his size and strength. He is considered to have good potential with his bat and has attended the Carlos Beltran academy in Puerto Rico. My concern with him is a dip with the back shoulder of his swing which forces him to get under the ball more often. If you watch the video to the right, courtesy of Baseball America, you'll notice how many times he pops up. | |
I do like his stance and his lower half (where a lot of power comes from) shouldn't be an issue moving forward. If he can fix a few flaws in his swing he'll make it to the Majors one day. He's 6 feet tall and throws about 96 MPH from the Outfield.
Yuki Yanagita
Japanese Outfielder
The 25 year old Outfielder has shown the ability to hit for power and a high average over the past two years. In 2013 Yanagita hit 11 homers, 19 doubles and posted a .295 batting average in 104 games. This year, through 66 games, he's hitting .330 with eight long balls and nine doubles. Yuki has increased his walk rate every year of his career and could be in the Majors as early as 2016 even though I think he'll be a career minor leaguer.
Akira Nakamura
Japanese First Baseman and Outfielder
Akira isn't your prototypical First Baseman seeing how he's 5' 8" and weighs in at about 180 pounds. Akira is hitting .308 this year after posting a .307 average last season. I think the batting average is real but the lack of power and height will keep him off many team's radar.
Pedro Gonzalez
Dominican Shortstop
The Rockies are reportedly interested in Gonzalez who is listed at 6' 4" 160 pounds. He's a project right now more than a prospect but he could end up being one of the best players in the D.R. in a few years if he listens to his trainer, Amaurys Nina.
Katsuya Kakunaka
Japanese Outfielder
Kakunaka is a left handed hitting Outfielder that has shown the ability to hit for power and run with above average speed. Kakunaka is 27 years old and will probably not be posted anytime soon; however, I think he's worth remembering.
Daichi Suzuki
Japanese Infielder
Daichi hits left handed, throws righty and weighs in at 174 pounds. He's experienced at Short, Second and Third and has managed to post a relatively high batting average in his three years with the Chiba Lotte Marines. He's a spark plug type of player that could come state side and become an impact player off the bench.
If you want to continue the discussion please post your comments at the bottom of this article.
Alex Wiesner
June 26th, 2014
Archives
Yuki Yanagita
Japanese Outfielder
The 25 year old Outfielder has shown the ability to hit for power and a high average over the past two years. In 2013 Yanagita hit 11 homers, 19 doubles and posted a .295 batting average in 104 games. This year, through 66 games, he's hitting .330 with eight long balls and nine doubles. Yuki has increased his walk rate every year of his career and could be in the Majors as early as 2016 even though I think he'll be a career minor leaguer.
Akira Nakamura
Japanese First Baseman and Outfielder
Akira isn't your prototypical First Baseman seeing how he's 5' 8" and weighs in at about 180 pounds. Akira is hitting .308 this year after posting a .307 average last season. I think the batting average is real but the lack of power and height will keep him off many team's radar.
Pedro Gonzalez
Dominican Shortstop
The Rockies are reportedly interested in Gonzalez who is listed at 6' 4" 160 pounds. He's a project right now more than a prospect but he could end up being one of the best players in the D.R. in a few years if he listens to his trainer, Amaurys Nina.
Katsuya Kakunaka
Japanese Outfielder
Kakunaka is a left handed hitting Outfielder that has shown the ability to hit for power and run with above average speed. Kakunaka is 27 years old and will probably not be posted anytime soon; however, I think he's worth remembering.
Daichi Suzuki
Japanese Infielder
Daichi hits left handed, throws righty and weighs in at 174 pounds. He's experienced at Short, Second and Third and has managed to post a relatively high batting average in his three years with the Chiba Lotte Marines. He's a spark plug type of player that could come state side and become an impact player off the bench.
If you want to continue the discussion please post your comments at the bottom of this article.
Alex Wiesner
June 26th, 2014
Archives
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