Any Japanese imports of note this year?

[Garry26]

Are there any Japanese pitching or hitting imports of note this year?

I love keeping an eye out for the next Yu Darvish or Matsuzaka because people dont know much about them, and as a result undervalue them. This lets me grab another stud earlier and still have a top SP available a round or two later in the form of the Japanese import. It's like an extra stud

[AussieDodger]

Hiroyuki Nakajima

http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=nakaji001hir

1. He's a SS
2. He's on a team that is willing to run (Oakland)
3. Even his worst season so far (.787 OPS) is quite acceptable for a SS

[Ender]

Just keep in mind Nakajima is going to be 31 and they have a lot of depth at SS so his leash isn't that long.

Hyun-jin Rhu might win a starting spot with the Dodgers, pretty good park to work with.

[daullaz]

Hyun-jin Rhu might win a starting spot with the Dodgers, pretty good park to work with.

He's actually Korean, but I'm sure still fits the mold of a player the OP is looking for.

Kyuji Fujikawa is a nice addition at RP, and he could be ranking up saves quickly if Marmol can't get his control together.

[Ender]

Yeah, I guess I assumed it was just asian imports he wanted.

[Sticky Spice]

How about Asian imports of note to reserve draft this year in keeper/dynasty leagues?

Great info so far and great thread OP!

[Garry26]

Yes Japanese pitchers have had more success than hitters because "juice" isn't as necessary, they will never use it, and fit the mold.

This isn't a racial thing btw. Latin players dont fit the mold because people tend to get info on them quick. Look at Cespedes last year.

Like I said on the OP, the idea is lack of information giving you an 'no strings attached' ace-type SP in a later round when there are only average players left. In early drafts last year before spring training, Yu Darvish was going in the last rounds.

Note: Japanese hitters are different. There may be speedsters (Ichiro), but 30HR+ guys are unlikely (Matsui?). They will never juice because it's socially unacceptable. Might even lead to suicide. They're in a 60s time warp over there, ideal women are June Cleavers, etc.

[daullaz]

It's also key to note that this doesn't necessarily just apply to players coming over from Asian leagues. Yoenis Cespedes was an unknown quantity coming into the big leagues last year and wound up being very profitable for owners that gambled on him hitting immediately. I can't think of any players in his situation this year off the top of my head, but it's definitely something to watch out for, as it could also lead to profit potential.

[ccwindsong]

Nakajima is pretty worthless now with the Lowrie trade. Could see him at 2B but Weeks should see most of the time there.

[Element]

Nakajima is pretty worthless now with the Lowrie trade. Could see him at 2B but Weeks should see most of the time there.

Who's to say that they don't play Lowrie at 3B? I could see them moving him all over the IF.