Tigers season - Batting and fielding

With the introduction of the new ball numbers were down throughout NPB and Tigers were no exception. Players struggled to hit at the same level as the previous season. Players are listed in their shirt order with HRs, RBIs and batting average shown.

1. Takashi Toritani
Av: .300, HR: 5, RBI: 51
A perfect illustration of how Tigers struggled to score. Toritani's batting average was much the same as the previous year but both HR and RBI were significantly down. Fielding was excellent again and earned him a Golden Glove. Toritani wants to go to the Majors after 2012 so the next season may well be his last with Tigers.

2. Kenji Johjima
Av: .189, HR: 5, RBI: 13
Johjima struggled with injury all season and eventually had to give up the challenge and have surgery. He did not return and will possibly start next season.

3. Kentaro Sekimoto
Av: .263, HR: 2, RBI: 16
Used mainly as a pinch hitter, Sekimoto also fielded first and second on occasion. He did well and improved on the previous season. It would have been a good idea to play him more than the Mayumi favourites.

4. Hiroki Uemoto
Av: .250, HR: 3, RBI: 13
Used as a pinch runner and infielder. There is not really much one can say about him - he was not a particularly inspired player even though he did show glimpses of potential power. However, this does require a pitcher to throw a very poor pitch.

5. Keichi Hirano
Av: .295, HR: 1, RBI: 29
Another one who's batting average was down but still very effective and an excellent performance. His production was up and he did well in the field. Speed round the bases is lacking but he uses what he has very well.

6. Tomoaki Kanemoto
Av: .218, HR: 12, RBI: 31
The gradual decline continues. Kanemoto was notable this season for swinging too soon and flying out to the infield. He did drive in 31 runs but missed far more chances. Kakefu thinks he ought to retire and one can't argue with this judgement. However, the management have indicated that they might use him as a reserve clean-up batter. Not a wise thought.

7. Shunsuke Fujikawa
Av: .242, HR: 1, RBI: 9
Gave more proof that he isn't really top team material though his fielding was much improved. Lacked power with the bat and ability to drive in runs. One can't say that his presence in the top team adds anything.

8. Ryo Asai
Av: .138, HR: 0, RBI: 5
A forgetable season this year. Poor numbers everywhere and an unimpressive performance in the field. Asai was used as a pinch hitter but didn't prosper.

9. Matt Murton
Av: .311, HR: 13, RBI: 60
Numbers were down but Murton was once again one of the stars of the show. Good hitting and his HRs held up well. He was tried at number 4 but was a failure in this position. This was Mayumi's fault not Murton's and the good news is he will return to Tigers next year.

24. Shinjiro Hiyama
Av: .274, HR: 1, RBI: 8
Once again a superb demonstration of pinch hitting ability. Hiyama is indispensible in the role and continued to shine. One hopes his recent injury (broken collar bone) will not impact his performance next season.

25. Takahiro Arai
Av: .269, HR: 17, RBI 93
A fine season from a player badly treated by the management. The punishment meted out to Arai by Mayumi for 'poor performance' was little short of disgraceful. Arai led the Central League in RBIs and drove in runs regularly. He will return to Tigers next year having gotten the contract he wants. A definite asset to the team. His fielding at third wasn't wonderful but then none of his replacements were any better.

31. Lin Weichu
Av: .167, HR: 1, RBI: 5
Failed to make an impression this season and one thinks that his chance to do so has gone.

32. Ryota Arai
Av: .192, HR: 0, RBI: 3
Suffered to some extent with Mayumi's aversion to power players. He looked as if he had potential but needed more work to bring it out.

35. Katsuhiko Saka
Av: .000, HR: 0, RBI: 0
Totally anonymous and a waste of space. Disappeared into ni-gun where he belonged.

45. Takashi Shimizu
Av: .091, HR: 0, RBI: 0
A reserve catcher. As Fujii started to disintergrate Shimizu got more playing time and whilst being a bit rigid early on blossomed out and was reasonable.

50. Akihito Fujii
Av: .223, HR: 2, RBI: 15
Signed in the off season as a possible replacement catcher for Johjima, Fujii was a disaster. He demonstrated that he couldn't call beyond rather predictable patterns and showed no appreciation of his pitchers limits. Largely replaced by Komiyama and Shimizu late season, Fujii was a waste of money. The scandal was that Kanoh was converted into an outfielder by Mayumi and his team when Kanoh would have been a brilliant catcher.

57. Taichi Okazaki
AV: .000, HR: 0, RBI: 0
A poor catcher - why he was used is a mystery. He showed no signs of having learned anything and was just as wooden in his calling as before. Another mystery was why he was retained as a catcher and Kanoh converted to an outfielder?

58. Fumiya Araki
Av: .000, HR: 0. RBI: 0
Two games as a pinch runner.

60. Shinji Komiyama
Av: .208, HR: 0, RBI: 1
Used as a replacement catcher when Fujii's limitations were becoming clearer and clearer Komiyama did well. He blossomed out and was creative and smart. Good appreciation of his pitchers limits as well.

66. Yamato Maeda
Av: .235, HR: 0 RBI: 6
Used mainly as a pinch runner again though did field second. Was another of Mayumi's lightweights.

67. Craig Brazell
Av: .282, HR: 16, RBI: 69
Production was also down this year and Brazell was out due to injury. He still put in a fine performance but was platooned so that Mayumi could fit in his favourites. This annoyed the big man and was tactically very poor thinking. Brazell will be back next year though.

69. Issei Morita
Av: .250, HR: 1, RBI, 5
Hit a home run in his first at bat and seemed to have promise. Has power and with practice should be very useful.

94. Yuya Nohara
Av: .000, HR: 0, RBI: o
Made one appearance at the plate and was anonymous.

99. Keisuke Kanoh
Av: .167, HR: 0, RBI: 3
Returned after surgery as an outfielder and hated it. Made very little effort in the position and made it perfectly clear that he would rather be anywhere else. Needs to be restored to catching duties.

00. Kohei Shibata
Av: .271, HR: 0, RBI: 9
The only one of Mayumi's favourites who could be said to have been a success. Shibata was a slow starter and took time to get going. However, once he did he was an aggressive and productive player. Fast with potential to hit and put the opposition under pressure he should be developed much more.

The following position players were let go at the end of the season. Outfielder: Sakurai (51), Katsuragi (33). Infielder Tanaka (120), Vechionacci (128).