Mid-season assessment: Hideki Matsui

[Dr.DooM]

There hasn't been much talk about the progress Hideki Matsui has made this year. Take a look at his stats:

2003:
82 Runs 16 HR 106 RBI .353 OBP

2004 pre-allstar:
60 Runs 17 HR 58 RBI .390 OBP



He's already surpassed his HR totals from last year and is on pace to hit over 30 by the end of this season. He's also on pace to match/exceed his runs and RBIs from last year as well.... all this while batting 7th in the lineup. Most folks here probably drafted him in the later rounds but he's shaping up into a great deal so far.

[rmeesig]

Had him all season. One roster spot I haven't had to toy with!

Very pleased.

[Zen Boy]

I like Matsui, a lot, he's so solid . . .I called it all along too!

[Madison]

Quite a few people laughed when I said 100 runs, 100 rbi, 25 homers, and a decent average.

"Oh, he won't hit 25 homers!" they all said.

Well, I'm not complaining especially since he was relatively cheap in my drafts and could quite possibly hit 30 homers.

[Amazinz]

Yeah I definitely understimated the "other" Matsui going into this year's draft.

[DMXdawg]

Don't worry about the Japanese players, it takes them maybe half a year to get used to American pitching, then they'll start hitting. I'm believing that's the case with Hideki, and Kaz is now making studly defensive plays and he's hitting well. Kaz will get you what you need in the second half.

[dawade]

I cut Matsui back in like April. Biggest mistake of the season.

[beltrans_boy]

Looks like he finally learned how to hit the 2-seamer...

[Members Only Jackets]

someone in my league dropped him in early May...what a nice surprise!

[Pedantic]

I expected some improvement, but Matsui has outdone my expectations thus far. Too bad he's still just average in the outfield.