News
Muranaka, Tanaka Impressive in Spring Training
Jiwon Bang
02/25/08
Three weeks have passed since the 12 Nippon Professional Baseball
(NPB) teams started Spring Training. Young prospects who played in the 2007
Hawaii Winter Baseball season are working hard to make the Major League Roster
on Opening Day in late March.
Among 21 Japanese players that participated in HWB last
season, 15 of them started their Spring Training with the Major League squad.
The one who is receiving the most attention is Kyohei Muranaka of the Tokyo
Yakult Swallows, who spent his time in
Ryohei Tanaka of the Chiba Lotte Marines, who recorded four
wins with a 3.02 ERA as a starter for the Honolulu Sharks, is also showing
impressive progress during Spring Training. Because three core relievers have
left the team following last season, this season is Tanaka’s chance to secure a
position in the bullpen. The Marines’ official website reported that the
Manager Bobby Valentine has high hopes for Tanaka to take an important role in
his pitching staff.
Also, pitchers like Shinya Nakayama and Takashi Kamoshida of the Orix Buffaloes, Yutaka Tamaki of the Hanshin Tigers, and Fumikazu Kimura of the Saitama Seibu Lions are reported to be the candidates to make the Major League Roster. Nakayama led HWB with six wins as a starting pitcher for North Shore Honu, while Kamoshida collected a league-leading five saves. The BeachBoys’ starter Tamaki was selected as HWB’s 2007 Pitcher of the Year, and hard-throwing Kimura played for the West Oahu CaneFires, collecting a win coupled with a 4.23 ERA.
