Junichi Tazawa | SoxProspects.com

#63 Junichi Tazawa

Boston Red Sox | 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 © 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's 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 - 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. Tazawa pitched exclusively out of the stretch before signing, and the Red Sox had to teach him to pitch from the wind-up. He 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 a solid 77-81 mph backdoor slider, a nice mid-70s curve (his out pitch), and also makes use of an above average low-80s split-fingered changeup. His forkball has awesome potential. He has excellent command, and likes to paint corners similar to Daisuke Matsuzaka, one of his idols. However, he doesn't nibble as much as Matsuzaka. A couple things to watch as Tazawa moves through the system are 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	9	5	0.643	2.57	18	18	0	98.0	80	31	28	8	26	88	1.08	3.38	8.08
2009	Pawtucket	IL	AAA	Bos	23	0	2	0.000	2.38	2	2	0	11.3	7	4	3	0	1	6	0.71	6.00	4.76
2009	Boston	AL	MLB	Bos	23	2	3	0.400	7.46	6	4	0	25.3	43	23	21	4	9	13	2.05	1.44	4.62

	Additional Player Info
	Pronunciation: Joo-NEESH-ee Tah-ZAH-wa First Pro Contract: December 4, 2008 by Craig Shipley Signing Bonus: $1,800,000 MiLB Debut: August 7, 2009 MLFA Eligible: N/A Rule 5 Draft Eligible: N/A	Added to 40-man: December 4, 2008 MLB Debut: August 7, 2009 (Boston) MLB Service Time (through 2009): 58 days Options Remaining: 3 (2009) (4 option years) MLB Contract (2010): $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 2009 SoxProspects.com All-Star - SP

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