2019 Hyakujuu Shinkansen- 1st Half Review
With the all-star break a couple days away, lets take a moment and recap the first half of 2019 for the Hyakujuu Shinkansen. Over the last six months or so, the face of Hyakujuu has seen a complete makeover. Rookie GM Charlie Cooper has revampled the farm system, put the team into it’s best financial state in years, and created a buzz. The buzz is a direct result of the revamped farm system. Fans know this Hyakujuu team isn’t very good right now, but a few years down the road, possibly even as early as 2021, they could make a run at something big. For now though, it’s just a hope that these guys will develop and evolve into the players they are projected to be.
The 2019 Season has been a mess for Hyakujuu, but it’s all part of the rebuilding plan. Cooper’s goal has has never strayed from its path, every move he has made, is for the future of the Shinkansen. When he first took over this team, he was highly scrutinized and considered too young. Who’s laughing now? He has the best system in the LRS, over $40M to spend in the offseason this year, and plans on possibly expanding the stadium or getting a new one. A season ago, none of this seemed possible, at all. While they still sit in last place in the SSG, they’re moving upwards and will be a very dangerous team and will look to play spoiler for the rest of 2019.
On Opening Day this year, the roster was full of scrubs and no names. After just 79 games, it’s pretty much all new. Of the 25 guys on the current roster, only 5 were on this team out of spring training. Greg White was traded away, and just re-acquired yesterday. Jotaro Koike has anchored the offense all year, Shunsen Kokawa and Kensakue Fujita both have held their own in the bullpen. 1B Yoshinaka Ohayashi has also been able to maintain his job as the backup first baseman.
This roster is much better, and younger, then the opening day one. Most people have had a hard time keeping track of all the moves Cooper has made. The 2019 HYA midseason roster is as follows;
SP Koki Watanabe (Age: 24) Acquired: 7/28/19 from KUW via trade
The new ace of the Shinkansen, Watanabe is here to stay this time. Previously acquired in the offseason from SS, he was immediately flipped to KUW from a 1st Round pick and depth. Watanabe is one of the top LRS SP and will anchor this rotation for years. Throwing in the mid –nineties with a sinker, change, and curve, Watanabe is simply dominating.
SP Greg White (Age: 31) Acquired: 7/31/19 from NT via trade
White made this team originally, but was dealt to the Akira in the Gato trade. Now, he’s back and looking to lead the Rotation along with Watanabe.
SP Yoichibei Sakai (Age: 24) Acquired: 7/28/19
Sakai came to HYA along with Watanabe and can really pitch. Bringing the upper 90’s heat along with a devasting slider and forkball combo, Sakai is a future ace. For now, though, he may be trade bait for the Shinkansen, as they had a slew of pitching prospects. They could use him to fill a bigger hole.
SP Suezo Kikuchi (Age:25) Acquired: 7/31/19 from NII via trade
A big part of the Takeuchi deal, Kikuchi has been an underrated reliever in Niihama-Shi for a couple years now. Cooper believes he has the potential to start, and will give him every chance to show that he can.
SP Ángelo Morales (Age: 26) Acquired: 7/31/19 from SEO via trade
Morales is an LRS vet who has struggled with the Crushers this year. Ever since he blew out his elbow a couple years ago, he hasn’t been the same. The remainder of the season will be a very big test for him.
MR Yoichibei Kichida (Age: 28) Acquired: 6/21/12 via draft
Kichida has been an absolute bust ever since being taken in the 1st round back in 2012, he can’t start anymore, and has been relegated to the bullpen for the remainder of 2019, or until they find an upgrade.
MR Kenji Minami (Age: 30) Acquired: 5/13/19 from FY via waivers
Minami didn’t make the Fushigi Yugi squad, so he was waived. Hyakujuu promptly claimed him and placed them in their atrocious bullpen. While he started out good, Minami has struggled as of late, and may be looking for a new job in a couple weeks if he keeps this up.
MR Kyoji Uchiyama (Age: 24) Acquired: 7/14/19 from KUR via trade
Uchiyama has the best fastball in the LRS, as he easily gets it above triple digits. He will struggle with his command form time to time and that will get him in trouble.
LT Kensaku Fujita (Age: 30) Acquired: 1/3/19 via free agency
Fujita has pitched well thus far for the Shinkansen and may have an inside track on a job for 2020. Though, he’s just a specialist and could blow up at any moment.
SU Takejiro Daikawa (Age: 23) Acquired: 7/31/19 from NII via trade
Another key piece to the Takeuchi trade, Daikawa is a relief ace and under team control for a long time. Look for him and Kokawa to handle the 7th and 8th innings.
SU Shunsen Kokawa (Age: 24) Acquired: 4/28/19 from SS via trade
The best pitcher on the team so far, Kokawa has done it all this year, and effectively. With a good fastball and superb control, Kokawa is a premier setup man in the LRS.
CL Kyuso Yoshida (Age: 23) Acquired: 7/21/19 from KUR via trade
The best young closer in the league, Yoshida won’t be laving HYA anytime soon. He throws three pitches as a closer, which is what makes him so dominant as a closer. Not to mention, he has a 100 MPH fastball.
Offensively;
C Tsuyoshi Konishi (Age: 31) Acquired: 8/4/19 from KUR via trade
Acquired once before the Shinkansen, from the Transmitters, shipped him to Kure to get Yoshida. Now he’s back a couple weeks later and will teach these young arms a thing or two about and help them develop.
1B Yoshimasa Yamada (Age: 26) Acquired: 6/21/12 via draft
Yamada failed to make the team out of spring training, but has found his way onto the roster again. After mashing AAA pitching, he was the first choice when the hole at first base arose.
2B Takeichi Yamasaki (Age: 24) Acquired: 7/7/19 from KAW via trade
Yamasaki made history when he garnered the highest transfer fee in LRS-PEBA history, at $7.1M. He was then shipped to HYA from pieces. Now, he’s the 2B of the future for the Shinkansen. A good contact hitter, with some speed, Yamasaki could become one the top 2B in the league.
3B Tetsuhiko Kino (Age: 30) Acquired: 7/23/13 from SS via trade
Kino was having a minster year at AAA, and Cooper only found it appropriate to give him a shot on this dismal team. Now, he probably won’t be on the team next year, but LRS playing time is good for him. It gives him a shot to show other LRS teams what he can do.
SS Ichiro Kanno (Age: 23) Acquired: 6/22/19 from SS via trade
One the two PTBNL in the Suitani trade, Kanno has proved all his critics wrong about his ability to hit at the next level. The versatile infielder most likely won’t be playing short next year with Shimizu waiting at AAA, but he should be a huge factor next year.
LF Tomiji Watanabe (Age: 31) Acquired: 8/4/19 from KUR via trade
A power hitting LF, Watanabe was acquired as a salary dump from Kure. His contract won’t be extended beyond this year, and is only starting out of need.
CF Okakura Ishikawa (Age: 22) Acquired: 6/22/19 from NT via trade
The main piece in the Gato trade, Ishikawa hasn’t stopped hitting since being taken with the 3rd pick last summer. Recently named Rookie of the Month, Ishikawa is the face of the franchise and a team leader.
RF Joey Robinson (Age: 25) Acquired: 7/22/19 from SS via waivers
Cooper believes he may have a diamond in the rough with Robinson. Cast off by Tempe early in the year, SS quickly scooped him up. Possessing good contact skills and average power, Robinson could very well turn into an LRS star.
DH Jotaro Koike (Age: 24) Acquired: 12/17/18 from KUW via trade
Well, one thing hasn’t changed since the season began, and that’s Koike. He’s torn the cover off the ball all year long and is the teams midseason MVP.
C Kikunojo Fukuda (Age: 30) Acquired: 5/13/19 from NAH via waivers
Took the starting catcher spot after being claimed off waivers, has had a decent year so far. Relegated to the backup role with the addition of Konishi. Should be back next year.
1B Yoshinaka Ohayashi (Age: 28) Acquired: 6/21/13 via draft
Ever since the start of spring training, he hasn’t stopped hitting. He may lack any real skillset, but if he keeps on hitting, Cooper has no problem keeping him on the roster.
IF Aki Hakui (Age: 26) Acquired: 11/16/14 from FY via trade
On the roster because of his infield versatility, Hakui can’t do much else. He struggles to hit and only has average speed.
OF Tokugawa Hirano (Age: 30) Acquired: 8/4/19 from KUW via trade
Acquired today as depth, Cooper called it, “A move for next year.” Very good contact and strike zone knowledge, Hirano will be a weapon coming off the bench.
Now, that’s the major league team. There is some bright spots, but what everyone is looking forward to are the prospects;
SP Kazuo Ishihara (Age: 22) Acquired: 6/22/19 from NT via trade
Another big part of the Gato trade, Ishihara is a future ace and should be on LRS team next season. He’s having a very good year at AAA Gojira, and he coaches praise his outstanding work ethic.
SP Hisashi Kokan (Age: 23) Acquired: 6/29/19 from KAW via trade
Another future ace, he was recently demoted to AAA for developmental purposes. Cooper wants him to learn to throw more strikes and pitch to contact.
SP Takanobu Shirai (Age: 21) Acquired: 7/29/19 from KAW via waivers
Shirai was the second overall pick in this years draft and is another one of Coopers future aces. He mixes his four pitches very well and has already made his LRS debut with the Transmitters.
SP Kokei Yamashita (Age: 22) Acquired: 7/14/19 from KUR via trade
The TOP SP prospect in the LRS, Yamashita is ‘the’ ace among aces for the Shinkansen. He started the year at AAA, but Cooper wants to give him a little more time at A ball to work on some little things.
SP Takahiro Takaki (Age:22) Acquired: 7/21/19 from KUR via trade
A two pitch power pitcher, Takaki has starting potential and could be on the LRS team as soon as late 2020. He projects to be someone like Kyoji Uchiyama.
CL Miguel Mercado (Age:20) Acquired: 7/21/19 from KAW via trade
Another big arm, Mercado is a gaijin and may be moved to the PEBA this offseason.
CL Soshu Ando (Age: 21) Acquired: 6/22/19 from NT via trade
A small piece in the Gato trade, Ando has back end of the bullpen potential and has done a vey good job closing out games at A Sentai.
C Eitoku Hirano (Age: 22) Acquired: 6/21/19 via draft
The 1st Overall pick in this years draft, Hirano has proved quite a few critics wrong thus far. Currently riding a 20-game hitting streak, he could see himself on the opening day roster next year if he keep this up.
1B Jorge Esparza (Age:19) Acquired: 6/22/19 from SS via trade
Second PTBNL in the Suitani trade, Esparza is one the top hitting prospect in the world. He, just like Mercado, could find himself in a PEBA farm system next year.
2B Sul-shik Im (Age: 23) Acquired: 8/4/19 from KUR via trade
An infield spec thrown into the Watanabe deal, Im is a Gaijin who has some LRS potential. He is also another guy who could be shipped to the PEBA under the new rules.
3B Toshiyuki Yoshida (Age: 23) Acquired: 7/28/19 from KUW via trade
Yoshida is the #2 3B prospect in the LRS, and #4 overall. He possess’ extremely good power potential and could anchor any lineup easily.
SS Shigekazu Shimizu (Age: 21) Acquired: 6/22/19 from LUP via trade
The TOP SS prospect in the LRS, Shimizu is an all around great hitter. Look for him to win the SS job out of 2020 Spring Training.
LF Ryosei Ikarashi (Age: 22) Acquired: 7/31/19 from NII via trade
A huge part of the Takeuchi trade, he’s built into the same mold of Takeuchi and has very good power potential.
CF Shojiro Kotara (Age: 21) Acquired: 7/14/19 from KUR via trade
Swapped with Inoue, Kotara has a chance to play CF for the Shinkansen a few years from now. Projects to be a very good hitter, with some good power.
1B Tadasuke Hagiwara (Age: 23) Acquired: 7/31/19 from NII via trade
The first basemen of the future, Hagiwara has a real shot to turn into a premier power hitter. Should be LRS ready by Opening Day next year.
C Noriyuki Sugahara (Age: 22) Acquired: 7/21/19 from KUR via trade
Another catching option for the Shinkansen, Sugahara struggles defensively, but can rake, huge power potential for him. Maybe the DH of the future?
No one has a better system then the Shinkansen, or young foundation. If you give them a couple years, they’ll be up there with Shin Seiki and Niihama, going for the SSG and a shot at their first LRS title.