This is a site about Pro Yakyu (Japanese Baseball), not about who the next player to go over to MLB is. It's a community of Pro Yakyu fans who have come together to share their knowledge and opinions with the world. It's a place to follow teams and individuals playing baseball in Japan (and Asia), and to learn about Japanese (and Asian) culture through baseball.
It is my sincere hope that once you learn a bit about what we're about here that you will join the community of contributors.
Michael Westbay
(aka westbaystars)
Founder
Akamatsu was mostly a base running second stringer for the Tigers last year. While his .154 batting average in 28 games last season doesn't look that good, he did have 8 stolen bases over that time. With just 6 hits (one being a double), that surpasses the number of total bases for the year. If he can learn to get on base, he's going to be trouble to the opposition, just as that little gokiburi Akahoshi has been.
When you consider that Arai has been on the decline since 2005, and that Koshien is much larger than Hiroshima Shimin Kyujyo, I think that this may turn out to be a good move for the Carp.
(And I like players who show their stockings.)