Everyones talking about him but he cant be that good. They said if he went to the redsox hed only be the third starter behind shilling and becket. So if hes only a mid rotation guy why is there so much hype?
2006-11-14 04:36:02 · 17 answers · asked by p_rob22 1 in Sports ➔ Baseball
I think they're just trying to temper expectations, but I believe this guy will be a top-2 starter on any team. He has nasty stuff, and I'm sure that gyroball is going to confuse a lot of major leaguers, most of whom have never seen the pitch. I think he's got the potential to be the Sox' number one starter within a couple of years. His performance in Japan over the past couple of seasons translates to a sub-3.00 ERA in the majors, with good IP and strikeout numbers.
The only concern is that he's pitched a lot of innings for a young guy. He may turn out to just be a good, durable inning eater, but history has proven that guys who pitch 1,300+ innings by the age of 26 often face a quick, steep decline. Hopefully Matsuzaka doesn't fall into that group.
2006-11-14 04:42:19 · answer #1 · answered by Craig S 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Matsuzaka is a Japanese pitching phenom. He was the MVP of the World Baseball Classic.
Matsuzaka would fill big shoes for the Red Sox. He is young (26), unlike Schilling, and thrives under pressure (WBC). Matsuzaka would definitely be the face of Boston if he was signed, and would be much better than a mid-rotation guy, regardless of whether or not he started there.
During his eight years in Japan, he compiled a 108-60 record with a 2.95 ERA. "He has been one of the most dominant pitchers in Japan's Pacific League, ... leading the league in wins three times, strikeouts four times and ERA two times. His 17-5 record, 2.13 ERA, 200 strikeouts in 186 1/3 innings" (mlb.com). He also has speed, with a 95mph fastball.
He is also supposed to be able to throw the mysterious gyroball pitch. Although he claims not to use the pitch regularly, he has admitted to throwing it once in a while, and wants to learn to throw it (better). The gyroball is a breaking pitch that breaks in terms of feet rather than inches and would revolutionize the game of baseball if it entered the game. It was developed by two Japanese scientists. Check out this site for mor information on the gyroball: http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/baseball/289073_gyroball18.html.
2006-11-14 15:05:35 · answer #2 · answered by Michael E 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Red Sox need pitching depth after what happened last year, and Matzuzaka throws the "gyroball" which MLB hitters will need to get used to if it's effective. They also do not have much information on the guy, so he is a mystery for the first couple of times hitters faces him. Plus, Wakefield will be that much better if he can bring the knuckleball with everyone else throwing heat around him.
2006-11-14 19:10:13 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
He has pitched for Japan since he was 18 and is a good prospect out of Japanese league.
He'll pitch behind Beckett as the #3 but then (unless he stinks or a major free agent deal is made) he'll move to #2 after Schilling retires at the end of the 2007 season.
2006-11-14 12:59:49 · answer #4 · answered by dougzinboston 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This guy played in Japan and I believe has under 3.00 ERA. A mid rotation guy behind Schilling and Beckett probably because he won't have the chemistry with the team until his second year and he hasn't proven himself yet. He will be one of the top 5 pitchers in MLB within the past 15 years.
2006-11-14 20:51:13 · answer #5 · answered by crlymmbr 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hes supposed to be one of the best players from JAPAN. so that is a pretty big deal since JAPAN has a really good baseball program. but if he did go to the redsox he would play mid rotation so that they have a good pitcher all over the rotation, that way we wont get murdered.
2006-11-14 17:57:12 · answer #6 · answered by devilskier909 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He is an unknown pitcher. He only faced MLB batters in one game at the Classic. There was just a report that some teams think he could be a 25 game winner on 850 AM WEEI.
2006-11-14 12:42:19 · answer #7 · answered by Colin L 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
so far mostly playa hatin yankee fans have answered this question
if the yankees would have won the bid all of the yankee fans would be saying "oooohhhh hes the best pitchers, hes going to win the cy young award, hes sooo great blahh blahh blahhh."
but now since hes going to be on the red sox hes going to be a flop?
you got to love yankee fans(sarcasm)
lets be realistic, this guy throws 5 pitches for strikes amd will eat up a bunch of inings this year and years to come. there hasnt been this much hype around an asian player since ichiro. and we all know how good ichiro turned out.
2006-11-14 18:35:49 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
If he's behind beckett in the rotation, odds are that he is terrible.
He will be the next Irabu...lets see how he does against a major league lineup...he hasnt faced a full MLB lineup all season. I think MLB hitters can adjust to him.
2006-11-14 12:37:38 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Suposebly he has a grip were depnding on his wrist angle he can make the ball move differently. Some say he has a riser! Many people compare him to a great wiffle ball pitcher he can make the ball move so much!
2006-11-14 22:27:34 · answer #10 · answered by adkafka 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋