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
If this is correct, then why have terrible pitchers won this "prestigous" award in the past? For example, in 2001 Seibu Lions' pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka won the Sawamura, even though he went 15-15, with a 3.60 ERA. Pitchers that bad in the Majors do not win awards; they get released.
Letting a pitcher like this win the Sawamura just "cheapens" the award.