Adrián Fuentes
In 2020, third baseman Adrián Fuentes struggled a bit with the Japanese culture. It was his first season, and while his short season numbers eventually looked good in Osakasayama, he had difficulty with 94 A-level at bats with Cagliostro. Needless to say, team insiders were worried. This season, Fuentes proved they shouldn't have been. The 20-year-old spent time at three levels (A, AA-Ranma, and AAA Yamauchi), and bumped his numbers at every stop.
A- Cagliostro: 149 AB, .329/.398/.436
AA- Ranma: 190 AB, .332/.396/.474
AAA- Yamauchi: 65 AB, .385/.459/.477
Though he hit only 2 homers throughout the season, his 35 doubles showed good gap power. His defensive numbers say he's ready, also. This makes the off-season interesting for the Lupin front office, who struggled through a dose of Josh Shaffer and Dan Stewart at the hot corner in 2021. Will the club pull the trigger on a guy who will still be only 20 years old at the start of next season, or will they dally in the free agent market once more?
Time will tell.
Shihei Matsubara
In 2019, Shihei Matsubara was a first round draft pick and the world seemed a wonderous place. He stepped onto his first professional fields and dropped a 1.69 ERA on A-level hitters, registering 14 saves in 26 innings after being drafted. The world was, as it is said, his oyster. Then came the disaster that was 2020. AA hitters crushed him, and with his confidence destroyed, A-level hitters pummelled him. Coaches were worried, scouts were concerned. How could they have been so wrong?
But, like Fuentes above, Matsubara laced up the cleats and went to work, posting an outstanding 36 save season (with a 67 win team). He flashed serious moxie as he registered only 3 blown saves, and an additional 4 holds. But its his side numbers that have the team happiest. After giving up seven homers in 54 innings last season, Mats allowed only 1 in his 63 innings this year. His walk rate was down a half a pass a game, and his K/9 rate was back up over 12. The man can throw. Expect the team to start him in AA next season, with an quick ride to Yamauchi and AAA in the cards.
Honorable Mentions:
AAA: C Eitoku Hirano
AAA: 1B/3B Tadasuke Hagiwara (.278/.342/.537: 37 HR, 112 RBI)
AA: 2B Kiemon Ine (.337/.427/.465)
A: CL Shihei Matsubara (0-4, 36 saves, 2.43, 63 IP)
AAA: SP Motiki Ando (8-4, 2.64, 95.1 IP)
A: RP Ivan Ramirez (6-2, 2.74, 105 IP)
A: SP Sotatsu Hirano (5-6, 2.12, 97.2 IP)
A: RP Yorikane Nagai (9-3, 2.72, 112.1 IP)
A: SP Sotaro "Skip" Kimura (6-4, 3.29, 112 IP)
SS-A: SP Pat Cluff (4-1, 2.23, 68.2 IP)
SS-A: SP Tashiaki Kamimura (7-6, 2.90, 87 IP)
SS-A: RP Kyle Kane (4-4, 2.72, 76 IP)
SS-A: RP Fred Wilton (1-2, 2.23, 40.1 IP)
