8/20/2013: Niihama City, Japan – Akira fans were shocked and dismayed when the club announced they had failed to come to terms with 1^st round draft pick Eijiro Nakagawa.  As a result, Neo-Tokyo no longer has the rights to the 18-year-old lefthander, who has instead moved on to play at the college level.

Both sides pointed fingers at one another in a war of words and accusations.

GM Ron Hiscock stated, “After nearly two months of negotiations, it became apparent that Mr. Nakagawa was not eager to join our organization.  In pre-draft interviews, his agent conveyed his desire for a quick and easy transaction.  That did not happen.”

Eijiro’s agent “Shogun” A. Ascolott countered: “The Akira management dragged their feet throughout this process and refused to negotiate beyond their initial offer.  My client is an intelligent man and knows what he is worth on the marketplace.  He will move forward.”

While not considered an elite arm, Nakagawa was clearly one of the best left-handers coming out of high school.  With solid but not spectacular numbers at Tennoji High, he was considered one of the team’s leaders of the Nihon Koyaren Koshien-winning Sensei.  He posted a 4-0 record in his high school post-season career.

While Nakagawa is left-handed and boasts a fastball in the mid 90s, there were apparently concerns about his ability to go deep into games as a starter and about his work ethic.  He has joined the Aoyama Gakuin Mighty Missionaries in the Tokyo Collegiate Circuit.  Indications are he will work out of the bullpen, which may support Neo-Tokyo’s conclusions.

The Akira will be awarded a first round compensation pick in next year’s draft as a result of not signing Nakagawa.