Mark Koglioski, Tokyo Daily Times
October 21, 2013

The Lupin Cliff Hangers finished their season with their third consecutive fifth place ranking in the Bright Blade Group.  They somehow were able to stay out of last place despite their worst-ever win percentage of .325.  Lupin led the BBG in the first two seasons of the LRS (2007 and 2008).  Since that time, they have only been able to reach as high as fifth place.

In this kind of framework, all hope remains deep in the future.  It is highly unlikely that Lupin will win the championship next year, or even break .500 for that matter, so the long term is the focus.  Nonetheless, there are highlights worth discussion for the 2013 Cliff Hangers.

Following a disappointing 2012, first baseman Carlos Rocha finally hit up to expectations.  Rocha was expected to be the slugger for the club after the loss of José Escalante.  The question remains whether he will ever be as effective again, however.  Rapidly aging and with signs of talent loss, critics view the trade to acquire Rocha, which sent MR Yeijiro Sato to Shin Seiki, as poor at best.

Center fielder Roberto Cuevas put together an astonishing rookie season, with a .313 batting average, 18 doubles, 3 triples and 18 doubles, culminating in an .891 OPS.  Roberto’s performance was one of the unquestionable highlights of the season.  Not only did he bat well, he seemed to hit at all the right times, driving in 62 runs in only 371 at bats.  Cuevas surprised many with his offensive talents while performing adequately at his new center field position.  Lupin fans are very hopeful that this is only a start of things to come down the road.

While one center fielder began his career with Lupin this season, another most likely ended his.  39-year-old Tatsukichi Suzuki was acquired in the off-season in an effort to reduce salary.  Though not hitting near the level of his career highs, Suzuki hit better than expected.  The community should be proud that Tatsukichi might retire in a Lupin uniform.

Acquired in the same trade as Cuevas in exchange for a 2012 first round draft pick was SP Tsuyoshi Nishiyama.  Though not his rookie season, Tsuyoshi this year reaffirmed the fact that he has what it takes with a 3.53 ERA and 1.15 WHIP over 117.1 innings.  His 5-8 record probably reflects less on his ability than the cast of characters around him.  At only 24 years of age, Tsuyoshi is expected to make a lasting impression on this generation of Lupin fans’ memories.

The Rule 5 draft yielded a team contributor in shortstop Mitsuhide Sato.  Without any expectations or preconceived notions, Mitsuhide was left to go quietly about his job.  And he did his job well, batting to a .289 average in his first season.  This risk-free acquisition may turn out to be the best of the season for Lupin.  By all accounts, Sato has most likely earned himself a spot in the lineup for the next few years.

With an additional year remaining on 36-year-old Masaharu Inoue’s contract, fans were pleased to see him return to the form of his earlier career.  The staff ace had a respectable 3.59 ERA despite earning only three wins in 107.2 innings.  With a stronger bullpen and perhaps some improved offensive help for next season, Masaharu should be able notch more wins on his Lupin-only career résumé.

Reliever Katsumi Okano completed his fifth season in fine fashion.  Having spent his entire major league career with Lupin and at only 23, Okano is likely to compile many more seasons with the club.  He posted a 3.78 ERA with a substantial 100 innings in relief.  Okano can become the nucleus of a bullpen that forms around him.

Let us now turn our attention to the brightest spot of the Lupin story, the minor leagues.

18-year-old first overall 2013 draft pick Shinobu Takeuchi pitched 68 innings of 3.57 ERA ball at Single-A.  His stats at AAA show that he is not quite ready to move up to the majors.  The club is certainly not eager to rush the young potential star, opting to let him gradually move up and work at a comfortable pace.

Closer Tadao Harada has established two solid seasons at Triple-A.  The 23-year-old may be ready to break into the majors as soon as next season.

Starting pitcher Akira “Four Eyes” Watanabe is learning the ropes at Single-A.  At eighteen years of age, the third overall 2013 draft pick has plenty time to work his way up the ranks.

The focus in Toyama certainly appears to be good young pitching.  A good rotation and bullpen go a long way towards building a championship team.  That is apparently the belief of the team’s general manager.  Still some offense is also required to win games.

Twenty one year old center fielder Sadatake Sato has been gradually improving his offense from season to season.  His abilities have not improved as quickly as some expected for the third overall pick in the 2010 draft.  But despite criticism in this area, there is still plenty of time for the batter to appear in the majors with an age-appropriate introduction.

Meanwhile, catcher Shigekazu Munakata, drafted in the 5^th round in 2010, has been progressing better than expected.  Do not be surprised if Munakata is called upon as an injury replacement next season or a September call-up.  If what scours report seeing is correct, Shigekazu might become a staple behind the plate.  Adequate defensively, he projects to be a middle of the lineup-type batter, and his current abilities are nearing that level.

That wraps up this report on the 2013 Lupin Cliff Hangers season.  The point to come away with is strong optimism for the future.  Do not be surprised if Lupin finds themselves more at the top of the standings than the bottom over the next five or so years.