Source: Sanspo
On July 19, the Hanshin Tigers announced that they have reached an agreement and signed right-handed pitcher Colten Brewer (30, from NY Yankees AAA) to a deal for the remainder of this year. He will wear number 98. He is expected to arrive in Japan in early August. Hanshin front office director Satoshi Shimamura spoke to the media at Game 1 of the All-Star Game, saying that international scout Jeff Williams has given Brewer his stamp of approval and that he has outstanding raw skills.
Brewer had this to say through a team representative: “It is an honor to be given this chance to play in Japan in front of the best fans in the world. I have heard that the support from Tigers fans is second to none.”
Brewer has 84 games of major league experience, stands 193 cm (6’4”) tall and weighs 100 kg (220 lbs). This season he has appeared in three games for the Yankees, but also has 15 mounds at the AAA level with a 1.35 ERA. His primary weapons are a sharp biting cutter and a curveball.
Shimamura commented, “We are hoping he will be ready to arrive in early August. I hear that he has been used as a short-inning reliever over there, but the decision of how to use him here will be up to the manager after he arrives.”
Jeff Williams had a chance to observe Brewer in Texas where he is conditioning himself, and upon hearing the scouting report, Shimamura’s expectations heightened even more. “Based on what he saw at practice, Williams said ‘He is aggressive and very athletic.’ You can tell from the way he practices that he is eager to get on the mound at Koshien.”
One of the conditions of his contract came from manager Akinobu Okada – work on throwing from the stretch. To which Brewer apparently said, “I’m well aware of that.”
The season started with three import pitchers on the roster, but at present, only one is on the top squad, second-year righty Kyle Keller. Jeremy Beasley is making the transition from reliever to starter but has yet to put up a W, and Brian Keller has been placed on waivers according to reports on the 18th, which means he will no longer be on the roster. The bullpen has its share of issues, including closer Atsuki Yuasa and mid-reliever Masumi Hamachi not playing up to the level they showed last year. Okada could not hide his thoughts, saying, “You can never have too many pitchers.”
Brewer also left fans with this reassuring comment: “I will work hard to make sure I am in top condition any time the team needs me on the mound, and hope to learn a lot from my new teammates, too.”
The team enters the second half of the season in first place, but just a game up on second-place Hiroshima. Here’s to hoping Brewer is a big piece as the Okada Tigers look to capture the flag.