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03/13/2008 Archived Entry: "Japanese Baseball Team Preview 2008: Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters"

Japanese Baseball Team Preview 2008: Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters
Glenn Davies, Tokyo Japan

HOKKAIDO NIPPON HAM FIGHTERS TEAM PREVIEW 2008 SEASON

The Fighters said goodbye to Trey Hillman (Royals manager) after their two most successful seasons in recent memory, the seasons resulted in two trips to the Japan series one Japan Series Championship crown.Enter former Kintetsu Buffaloes manager Masataka Nashida. The 55 year old veteran manager has as embarrassment of riches as the season starts and will be expected to lead the Fighters to repeat as champions or at the least make the playoffs in 2008. The line-up is solid and the Fighters have a large core of up and coming players should the veterans struggle. Rookie infielder Nakata looks the business and may make the starting lineup out of spring training. The strength of the team remains the pitching with 7-8 starters capable of 10 plus wins each and are backed by a capable and experienced bull pen. Its hard to see the Fighters finishing lower than 2nd in 2008.

PREDICTION: 1st in Pacific League

The PL Champion Fighters have an excellent lead off man in the form of Morimoto, the 10 year veteran excelled in the 2006 championship run and followed up with career bests for avg. and stolen bases in '07.Tanaka slumped last season and will be looking to recover the .300 consistency to keep his place in the lineup as the Fighters have 5-6 upcoming infield players vying for time. Inaba continues to surprise with season after season of success after being let go by Yakult in 2004. Terrmell Sledge played part of '07 for the Nationals and Padres but hasn't had much success since his 15HRs in 2004 for the Montreal Expos.Koyano and Kudo continue to learn on the job and Jones's brief cameo in 2007 was inconclusive. Jones showed a lot of power at AAA and will be one of the keys to Fighters success in 2008. Kaneko continues to dwell at .250 but has a great glove. Rookie infielder Sho Nakata has been the star of pre-season so far, the mini Prince-Fielder shaped 19 year old is expected to break into the lineup this season after setting high school records with 87 HRs.

The Fighters were 2nd in the PL in ERA (3.22) and Saves (37) in 2007. Their rotation remains strong from top to bottom and is led by phenom Yu Darvish. Darvish has been very sharp in pre-season games and looks likely to repeat if not improve on his domination of hitters in 2007.He gave the Fighters their only win in the Japan Series (The Fighters lost to the Dragons 4 games to 1) and has yet to suffer a losing season since his debut in 2005. Glynn is a strong #2 and set ERA and win highs in 07. Takeda was the surprise package  last season and helped the Fighters to overcome the shocking sophomore season had by Tomoya Yagi (The star rookie of the 2006 championship run, he went 12-8) as he slumped to 4-6 4.54, getting blown out in 10 of his 15 starts. Other starting options remain in the form of Brian Sweeny (6-8 3.70). Michael returns as closer with a wicked curve as his finishing pitch and has posted two strong seasons with 39 and 34 saves.