Kaz Ishii to the Mets?

- Did Ishii always have control problems in Japan? Mets coaches seem to think they can help him. In MLB, his first halves have beed solid, then he falls apart in August and September. Does he run out of gas?

Yes, Ishii always had control problems in Japan. However, he made up for it by being the most dominating pitcher in the Central League. He averaged over 9Ks per 9 innings during his career in Japan. He did, though, also have about one walk for every two strikeouts. [Stats]

When Ishii recorded his 1,000th strikeout, I think he was the second fastest pitcher in Japanese baseball history to record it. This is totally from what I remember the announcers saying like 6 years ago when he made the accomplishment, so I could be wrong. From what I remember, if I remember correctly, the fastest pitcher to do so was Hideo Nomo (who later did the same in the Majors), and Ishii became the second fastest.

Also to emphasize how poor his control always was, I remember a quote that Ishii said jokingly when he threw a no-hitter during his years with the Swallows. He said something along the lines of: "I think it's easier for me to allow no hits in a game than walk nobody in a game." He wasn't bragging about how hitters didn't stand a chance against him, but was just expressing that he knows he has to work on his control.

Well, they say you can't teach an old dog new tricks, but maybe the Mets' coaches might have an idea or two. Is it normal that pitching coaches in Japan couldn't help straighten him out, with all that talent? He seems to lose his release point in the middle of the game, but he's a fighter and finds a way to win.

Nevertheless, those are impressive stats. In response to a question on what kind of pitch Ishii-san has trouble throwing, the Dodgers pitching coach replied, "Strikes." He did go on to say that he finds a way to win, you have to stick with him, but not without anxiety. Maybe a change of scenery will do him good. There were times last season when he was unbeatable, especially in the first half of the season.

Well, Kazuhisa is learning something new. Check out this article in the New York Daily News.

Coach Peterson worked with Ishii-san to change his delivery and to focus on control, rather than speed. There was 6-10 kph off his fastball, but he pitched 2 splendid innings with no walks.

The only question I have is whether the old wacky delivery threw batters off, or was it something else that made him a success. He wasn't throwing smoke, by design, yesterday, but he was effective, albeit against minor leaguers.