Fujikawa's Consecutive Shut-Out Innings Comes To End

- Kyuji Fujikawa ... finally gave up a run on a wild pitch.

Man, it was wild! As he has done for a while now, he was really hurling the ball hard, reaching a steady 152-153km/h with a couple of pitches clocking in at 154km/h and one that maxed at 155km/h, and mixing it up with the odd 120km/h-or-so breaking pitch. Anyway, he was spraying the ball around a bit, and Noguchi appeared to be having a torrid time, so the wild pitch had an air of inevitability about it.

It wasn't so much a "pitch" as a plain old throw; Kyuji released it above his head and it never looked like descending. In fact, it looked like an outfield return throw to make Shinjo proud. Still, it was fun to watch some real heat out there from Kyuji.

Yeah, I believe he reached 155 km/h on the first pitch after he allowed the run. Looks like he put some extra emotion into it.

Anyway, I'd like to add that all the people that Fujikawa was in the company of in the top 10 were all pitchers in the Showa era (1925-1989). He's definitely the most impressive Japanese pitcher since Matsuzaka, and his runs at long-standing records proves that, in my opinion. Of course last year he broke the single season record for games pitched with 80.

The guy has a mid-90s fastball with crazy movement, a solid curve, and fork. He'd be scary to face once he steps up those breaking balls. I don't think the fastball is gonna get much faster. Anyway, I'd hate to see him wait until free agency and be a shell of his former self. Thoughts of Kiyoshi Toyoda come to mind.

- He had a pretty solid outing in the WBC.

Really? Over 2.2 innings he allowed four hits, gave up a run, hit a batter, and was charged with a loss. He did strike out three, but I wouldn't exactly call the outing solid.

Of course he was shaky in stats, because it was basically spring training, but his fastball seemed to do well against MLB batters.

- Of course he was shaky in stats, because it was basically spring training, but his fastball seemed to do well against MLB batters.

Fair enough. He just seemed to be overshadowed somewhat by a few of his teammates.

But do you know whether he even wants to go to the majors? Maybe he'd first rather be part of a championship-winning Hanshin team before he considers a risky move overseas. Just a thought.

How's his off speed pitch? He's been blowing away batters with mostly fastballs this season, right? Some people on TV have even raving about how he only used fastballs in his recent appearances. That's good and all, but it won't work in the majors, and maybe NPB clubs will adjust too. Still, he has a kick butt moving fastball.