Japan/International Prospects

[Is_it_the_shoes?]

Does anyone know of any international players, most likely Japanese players, that are out there who could be posted next season?

My league alllows you to draft anyone, not just minor leaguers, so I was interested in seeing if I can draft the next big Japanese player before the hype is made.

So who is Japan's next great player that is on the verge of being posted?

[stealthdevil]

Here's a little info I've gathered. Just don't tell the guys in my league.

Nagisa Arakaki- filthy slider
Kosuke Fukudome – Top Jap hitter, 5 Tools
Kenshin Kawakami – 32 year old, #2or#3 pitcher in mlb
Hitoki Iwase – elite closer potential , 32 year old
Hiroki Kuroda- 33 year old, projected as #3 pitcher
Koji Uehara (RHP) – will be FA and probably come to MLB after ’07 season

How will the Japanese prospects stack up?

The Hawaii Winter Baseball League is uniquely positioned to employ prospects from both the Americas and East Asia. League officials plan to invite prospects from Taiwan and South Korea in the future, but this year's league includes an impressive collection of talent from Japan. Keisuke Hayashi, a righthanded pitcher with the Chiba Lotte Marines organization, may be the most promising pitching prospect in Hawaii. Outfielder Atsushi Ugmori, a prospect in the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters organization, might be the most promising young hitter among the Japanese contingent. Hayashi will pitch with the North Shore Honu this month. Ugmori will join the aforementioned Braves prospects with the Honolulu Sharks.