How well will Kosuke Fukudome play for the Chicago Cubs?

Question

I hear he is a major prospect from Japan, but I don't know very much about him, and what he can do to help this team.

Also, what are some early (very early) predictions for the 2008 cubs, and the 2008 season?

Answer 1

I am so excited to watch him play this spring. I've heard a lot of people worry about his acclimation to Wrigley but he's a pro and I don't think he'll have too much trouble. His left handed bat is going to be a tremendous addition to our mostly right handed lineup. In Japan, he batted .305 with a .397 on-base percentage and a .543 slugging percentage in 1,074 career games. I think he's going to be excellent here.

My prediction for '08? Cubs - World Series Champions.

Answer 2

I have no idea, like you before, I haven't heard that much about him, seeing that he has played his whole carrer until now in Japan. So we will have to wait to see how he does during the 2008 season, but I doubt that the Chicago Cubs will even make the playoffs in 2008. It has been a long time, since they have last made the playoffs 2 years in a row. Kosuke Fukudome might turn out to be worth it, and it might not turn out to be worth it, depending how he does. But I bet that it will take Kosuke Fukudome sometime to get used to playing baseball in the United States, including the fact is, that he won't make a homecoming to Japan in a Chicago Cubs unifrom, and even visit is fromer team, when he is in a Chicago Cubs uniform.

Answer 3

Other than Ichiro which other Japanese players have been as good as their hype?A major prospect from Japan doesn't exactly translate into stardom here.
The Cubs did nothing to improve their pitching and that was their weakness last year.The best thing going for them is that they are in the weakest division in the big leagues.The Dodgers are the team that improved themselves the most in the NL.Detroit in the AL has been the most improved so far with the addition of Cabrera and Willis.They will give Boston all they can handle.

Answer 4

I wouldnt expect ridiculous numbers like ichiro his first year. I would however expect an improvement from last year. Fukudome is much better overall player than Jones is. His OBP is what i look at much more than BA and his is right around 380 which kind of excites me. I wouldnt expect ridiculous RBI number because he is going to be hitting behind our RBI machine of a third baseman.

The pitching staff is going to have to stay healthy and we will do well. Also look for some of the younger guys to really have to step it up this year. Hill Marshall Marmol and look at for Ryan O' malley debut aug 06 against Houston. He was out most of the year last season. the only reason i included him is because he is from my home town and used to give me pitching lessons, we are all pulling for him.
We do however still need some help in the bullpen. you can never be to deep in the pen.


Fukudome will not hit leadoff. Soriano will still hit leadoff because for some reason he produces the most out of that spot. He will hit 5th or maybe 2nd that for Lou to decide

Answer 5

I can't predict the future, but I'm guessing he'll be a Vladamier Guerrero type player, with more speed. While, Guerrero is probably better, both are similar. Both have cannon arms in right field, both can hit 25-30 homeruns, both have respectable averages, and both have good on base percentages.
As for Chicago Cubs in 08, making it to the world series is a good chance, but winning it might be difficult.

Answer 6

Kosuke Fukudome is a great player and he is going to do big things for Chicago. Chicago will make the playoffs, but lose in the first round.

Answer 7

He will hit leadoff, soriano will move to third spot, and Derrek Lee 4th with A-Ram 5th.

He's as close to Ichiro Susuki as can be. Good in terms of getting out of the box early, has good speed, and can put the bat on the ball. Doesn't have aS GOOD OF AN ARM AS iCHIRO, BUT WILL STILL BE SOLID DEFESNIVELY.

Answer 8

If he maintains what he's done with the Chunichi Dragons for nine years, he will be a slightly above average Cubbie. In 9 years with the Dragons, he has averaged 21 HR's and 72 RBI's each season and is carrying a .305 career average with his bat.

This tells me that he is very much a contact hitter with above average power, and he bats left-handed which could equate to him doing fairly well popping it over Wrigley's RF wall.

ADDITIONAL:
Fans, I love your answers and your ???'s as well, but as much as I love the Cubbies, I don't think they'll see the WS this year. I do think that with the addition of a little more pitching, and Big Lou calling the shots that it could happen eventually, and no team deserves it more in my eyes.

Answer 9

i think this is the piece we have been looking for. he's going to hit .300, 20+ HRs & over 100 RBIs. i did read the other day he had injury problems the last 3 years, hope we don't pay for that


hey Chicago what do you say, the Cubs are going to win 2day

i started a free group on yahoo for Cubs talk, no spam please. send e-mail to .....
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Answer 10

I agree that Fukudome will be a bust and the Cubs don't have the pitching to make the playoffs.