A Cup of Coffee to Go: The Top BBG Call-ups of 2013
By Clarence Kukyama, Nippgonese Baseball Prospectus
Monday, November 18, 2013
With the 2013 Neo-Tokyo Cup in the books, many fans are focused on the drama of the just-concluded playoffs. But equally compelling were the stories of young prospects called up for a cup of coffee, pressing to make a strong impression on their team’s front office during a brief visit to the bigs. Who were the key call-ups during the 2013? Will they be back in the bigs come 2014? Let’s take a look. In Part One, we examine the Bright Blade Group.
SP Kenkichi “Virus” Gato
Drafted: Round 1 in 2012, 10th overall.
Called up: One of the league’s top pitching prospects, Virus infected Edo’s big league roster on September 1st, two weeks prior to the roster expansion on the 15th. A quick ascension, indeed.
The Line: In 9 starts, Gato dispelled any doubts that he might have been rushed, posting a .275 ERA and 1.01 WHIP over 52 innings.
GM’s Take: “His performance allowed us to utilize a 6-man rotation down the stretch to allow our heavily worked staff some much needed rest. With our starting rotation being so young we’ve got the luxury of letting him get up to speed slowly and look forward to him being able to digest his first LRS experience and become another weapon in our arsenal of young talented pitching.”
Outlook: Only the depth of Edo’s roster would keep Gato from joining the Battousai in 2014.
2B Masaki “Tippy” Shimizu
Drafted: Round 1 in 2011, 4th overall.
Called up: Tippy canoed into the Steel Dragons lineup on September 15th against Seoul with one of the most astounding LRS debuts of any season: 3-for-5 with 5 RBI and 3 runs scored hitting out of the 8-spot. He was named Player of the Game. Certainly no big league jitters for the young infielder.
The Line: Tippy cooled off after the debut but still had respectable stats over 25 games: 11-for-36 with 10 runs, 10 RBI, and six extra base hits.
GM’s Take: “In 2014, he should be slowly worked into the mix. Come 2015, he will be cemented in the lineup, as Kawamura will be a free agent, while Jefferson and Sato will hit arbitration.”
2014 Outlook: Kuwana can afford to move cautiously with this future star, but a single injury in the rotation would quickly make him a sure bet for a longer stay in 2014.
Fushigi Yugi Celestial Warriors
SP Yoshifusa Yoshimura
Drafted: Round 1 in 2010, 7th overall by Hyakujuu, traded several times before ending up with Fushigi Yugi in July, 2013.
Called up: Started two games for the C-Warriors in October and was solid in both (had appeared earlier in the season briefly, and ineffectively, while with Shin Seiki).
The Line: 13 IP, 2.08 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, two wins in two starts.
GM’s Take: “Yoshifusa was a former high draft pick and excelled for us since being acquired at trade deadline. While he most likely will be in AAA next year too, we thought we’d reward him and show him that he is high on our radar.”
2014 Outlook: Just 24, he’ll likely benefit from another year of seasoning at AAA and perhaps could also benefit from a season in which he isn’t constantly being traded.
SP Naomichi Nakagawa
Drafted: 2010, Round 5, 57th overall by Shin Seiki (traded to Naha Shisa in late 2010 in the Dracula Nakamura deal).
Called Up: Made his major league debut on Sept. 17th against Edo, going 8 solid innings and yielding just two runs and four hits. A most impressive debut against a tough lineup.
The Line: 21 IP, 3.00 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 16K and just eight walks — what’s not to like?
GM’s Take: “Nakagawa is the other pitcher Naha received in the Ton Nakamura trade (in addition to León Fernández) with Shin Seiki. He will begin the 2014 season in the starting rotation.”
2014 Outlook: Nakagawa never faltered at either minor league level and seems poised and mature enough to handle his promotion to the big league squad.
RF Mashashi Yano
Drafted: 2010, Round 5, 52nd overall by Naha. Traded twice in 2013 and now resides with Lupin.
Called Up: Made his debut as a pinch-hitter on September 29th against Edo. Put in as a defensive replacement in RF, he struck out in his only at-bat.
The Line: Yano was mostly on the bench, getting just 28 at-bats in 21 games and hitting .107. But he tasted life in the bigs and enjoyed having clubhouse attendants cart around his gear.
GM’s Take: “Yano was called up to get major league experience. He figures to be a starting outfielder in the future.”
2014 Outlook: A third straight year at AAA seems likely for Yano, as the front office hopes his brief cup of coffee will only whet his appetite for more.
SP Suezo Nakano
Drafted: Way back in 2008, Round 1, 11th overall.
Called Up: Nakano might have made the big league squad out of spring training but was injured in April and knocked out for five months, So he became a September call-up off the DL. While primarily a middle reliever, Suezo started well in his Sept. debut on the 20th against Kuwana, going eight innings and yielding just four hits and no earned runs.
The Line: Things got rough after Nakano’s debut. Over 6 games (5 starts), he notched a 1-3 record with a 10.71 ERA and 2.10 WHIP.
The GM’s Take: “Suezo was called up to provide pitching depth. He may get a chance as a #5 starter or spot starting pitcher in the future.”
2014 Outlook: This former first rounder seems stalled and there may be little to be gained from a fifth straight year at AAA, so Nakano could very well find himself with the Cliff Hangers in a middle reliever/spot starter role.
The Crushers, focused on development of its A and AAA squads, had no call-ups. Said its feisty owner Mark Owen Kierstead II, “We had no one who was worthy of such an honor this year.”
Next installment: The 2013 Call-Ups of the Shining Star Group