You know the big names on the team, and even some of the young guys who’ve gotten a lot of playing time in the past 2-3 seasons under ex-manager Tomoaki Kanemoto. But is that it? Are there any other guys who are ready to break out and establish themselves as top squad material? Starters? Stars??? What will new manager Akihiro Yano do with this young talent, most of which was drafted by Kanemoto?
The criteria for our top 10 is a fielder who has fewer than 150 total top squad at bats in the past 3 seasons, or a pitcher who has thrown fewer than 60 innings during that stretch. Oh, and to earn the “prospect” tag, he has to be age 25 or under. (Ages listed in the article are as of March 29, 2019 – Opening Day.)
Before we get to the actual top 10, let’s briefly look at 3 guys whose stories are intriguing but perhaps not very likely to pan out.
Yen-Ching Lu: This 23-year old Taiwanese lefty is a project that started last offseason, and would be fun to see come to fruition. His arsenal includes a 148 km/h (92 mph) fastball, slider, curve and changeup.
Yuya Yokoyama: The Tigers missed out on Kohei Arihara and Yasuaki Yamasaki in the 2014 draft lottery. This left-handed hurler has shown promise nearly every year, but also shown issues with fragility. Four years under his belt, the 25-year old could be a mainstay in the rotation someday if he figures out how to stay healthy. Time is running out, though.
Kosuke Fujitani: Drafted two years ago in the 8th round as a pitcher, the 23-year old impressed Yano enough with his raw athletic ability (hitting, running, as well as throwing) that he was taken off the mound and put in the field midway through last season. A long shot to become a star, but you never know: Yoshio Itoi, among others, was also drafted as a pitcher!
10. Takahiro Kumagai (23, SS)
What he brings: Speed, defense, switch hitting “ability” (he’s working on the lefty part), energy/clubhouse presence
What he lacks: Power
Who he’s got to beat: Hojoh, Ueda, Itohara, Toritani
Who he could be: Yoshio Yoshida (Mostly in that he is small, quick, good with the glove and arm but not the most impressive hitter out there. He likely will not come anywhere near Mr. Yoshida in career hits…)
9. Kairi Shimada (23, OF)
What he brings: Speed, defense, clutch hitting (?)
What he lacks: Power
Who he’s got to beat: Takayama, Nakatani, Egoshi?
Who he could be: Norihiro Akahoshi (He was given Akahoshi’s old number for a reason, and it made him just the second guy to wear it since the Red Star’s retirement in 2009.)
8. Ryuhei Obata (18, SS)
What he brings: Defense (particularly arm), moderate speed, moderate power
What he lacks: Something that puts him head and shoulders above his competition; physical strength
Who he’s got to beat: Hojoh, Ueda, Itohara, Toritani, Kumagai
Who he could be: Takashi Toritani (Wishful thinking, obviously. He himself idolizes Sosuke Genda of the Seibu Lions. If he turns out like that, I’d be pretty happy, I suppose.)
7. Haruto Takahashi (23, LHP)
What he brings: A good mix of fastball and offspeed pitches, hides behind his motion which makes his stuff deceiving and hard to read
What he lacks: Refinement on his secondary pitches (so guys can’t just sit on the primary stuff), stamina, health, confidence on the hero’s podium
Who he’s got to beat: Not many… the team is desperate for left-handed talent that can join the rotation. His main rivals have all been mentioned elsewhere in this article.
Who he could be: Atsushi Nohmi (though he says he idolizes Yuki Matsui of the Rakuten Golden Eagles)
6. Yutaro Itayama (25, OF/IF)
What he brings: Some utility, some power, a ton of resilience. Was among the better hitters on the farm in 2018.
What he lacks: A place and opportunity to prove himself. Anything that separates him from his competition.
Who he’s got to beat: Nearly every outfielder and middle infielder on the team. He’s not at the bottom of the depth chart, but he’s also nowhere near the top.
Who he could be: Kentaro Sekimoto (Somewhat unheralded, good at a lot of things, but perhaps not likely to be an everyday player.)
5. Shintaro Yokota (23, OF)
What he brings: A good mix of power and speed, plus an inspiring story if he makes it all the way back from brain tumors…
What he lacks: Good defense and a green light from team doctors to participate in game action.
Who he’s got to beat: Mostly himself, but of course he will also have to prove himself better than all the others in line for a place in the outfield.
Who he could be: Yoshio Itoi. (A physical specimen who can smash the ball out of the park or swipe bags. You won us over with your hustle on Opening Day 2016, Yokota!)
4. Kosuke Baba (23, SP)
What he brings: A fastball that can touch up to 155 km/h (96 mph) plus a slider, curve and forkball. Plus the pedigree of having been a first round draft pick (after the team lost out on two other marquee names, mind you).
What he lacks: Experience and perhaps a mean streak.
Who he’s got to beat: Saiki, Ono, Akiyama, Hamachi, even Aoyagi
Who he could be: Keiichi Yabu (Syllables in names match well; they share the same number; Yabu retired in Sendai, where Baba is from.)
3. Masumi Hamachi (20, SP)
What he brings: 93 mph fastball, slider, cutter, curve, changeup. Youth. Intelligence on the mound.
What he lacks: Experience, mature physical strength, health (so far).
Who he’s got to beat: Saiki, Ono, Akiyama, Baba, even Aoyagi
Who he could be: Koji Nakada (Good strikeout pitcher drafted out of high school by the Tigers back in 1984. Eighth all-time in career strikeouts for the Tigers.)
2. Koji Chikamoto (24, OF)
What he brings: Speed, defense (good range, good glove, but mediocre arm, says the reports), maturity for a rookie, and a built-in love for the Tigers.
What he lacks: Power and a strong arm from center.
Who he’s got to beat: Takayama, Nakatani. Yano has already said on record that it would be interesting to see him crack the Opening Day starting roster.
Who he could be: Akahoshi (The comparisons and references have been made non-stop in the media. Both came out of industrial league with little fanfare, both centerfielders with speed but little power…)
1. Atsushi Mochizuki (21, SP)
What he brings: Heat (158 km/h = 98 mph fastball) plus a slider, curve, change and splitter. Gained huge confidence from his 37 games played in the second half of 2018.
What he lacks: Better finish on his secondary pitches. Can’t let elite talent sit on any pitch, even his fastball.
Who he’s got to beat: Depends if he wants to crack the starting rotation or not. He fits in the bullpen but wants the ball in the first. Will have to outperform Saiki, Ono and Akiyama in the spring to make it happen.
Who he could be: Shinobu Fukuhara or Kyuji Fujikawa, depending on how he’s used. He’s a fireballer who will strike guys out at a decent clip.
You can take most of this with a grain of salt, as I have not spent hours poring over video footage or consulting my crystal ball. Scouting is a crapshoot at best, and what I have done here can hardly count as scouting. Just thought you might need something to read on this cold January day!