Junichi Tazawa | SoxProspects.com

#16 Junichi Tazawa

Portland Sea Dogs | Pitcher

Age: 23
Born: June 6, 1986
Yokohama, Japan
Height: 5-11
Weight: 180
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Drafted: Not drafted
How Acquired: International free agent (Dec. 2008)
High School: Yokohama Shoka (JP)
ETA: mid-2010

Photo by Kelly O'Connor

MLB Comparison: Hiroki Kuroda

Links
2009 Prospect Preview
The Ladder: 5.28.09

Scouting Report: Small-framed Japanese pitcher with very good potential and top-notch secondary offerings. In an unprecedented move, Tazawa asked his home country pro teams to refrain from drafting him in order to allow him to pitch in the United States directly from the amateur ranks. He signed with Boston despite receiving larger offers from several other U.S. clubs. His delivery is somewhat unconventional, similar to Michael Bowden's. His arm lags behind his shoulder and he has an abrupt whipping action down from his elbow as he releases the ball. His follow through isn't all that smooth. However, his lower body has solid mechanics and stays balanced throughout his motion. He pitches almost exclusively out of the stretch, but the team has only started with Tazawa working out of the windup. Tazawa makes use of an 88-92 mph fastball that works inward on righties. It flattens out at higher velocities. Presently it's about average, but it has some plus potential. His secondary stuff is very advanced for his age, and he relies on it heavily. He mixes in an excellent low-80s backdoor slider, a nice low-70s curve (his out pitch), and occasionally makes use of an above average forkball (basically a split-fingered change-up). His forkball has awesome potential. He has excellent command, and likes to paint corners similar to Daisuke Matsuzaka, one of his idols. A couple things to watch as Tazawa moves through the system is how he adapts to pitching from the windup and how well he responds to bad innings.

	Pitching Stats
year	team	lg	level	org	age	w	l	%	era	g	gs	sv	ip	h	r	er	hr	bb	so	whip	k/bb	k/9
2008	Nippon Oil	JABA	Intl	---	22	13	1	0.929	0.80	21	11	5	113.0	---	---	10	---	15	114	---	7.60	9.08
2009	Portland	East	AA	Bos	23			stats

	Additional Player Info
	Pronunciation: Joo-neesh-ee First Pro Contract: December 4, 2008 by Craig Shipley Signing Bonus: $1,800,000 MiLB Debut: - MLFA Eligible: N/A Rule 5 Draft Eligible: N/A	Added to 40-man: December 4, 2008 MLB Debut: - MLB Service Time (through 2008): - Options Remaining: 3 (2009) (4 option years) MLB Contract (2009): $450,000 Trade Restrictions: June 16, 2009 (2008-09 free agent)

	Awards Futures Game All Star (2009) Eastern League All Star (2009)	SoxProspects.com Awards 2009 SoxProspects.com Pre-Season All Star - SP

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