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
Now fast forward to 2008 after a slew of top NPB hitters have defected to the MLB, and Ichiro and Godzilla are still the only 2 hitters who have proven they belong in the MLB. The rest of them - Kaz Matsui, Iguchi, Jojima, Taguchi, and oh yeah, SHINJO from a few years ago - have all been reduced to part-time players who struggle to hit even .250 or 5 home runs.
Actually, the whole reason I made this post is because of Fukudome's struggle. I would say you are lying if anyone honestly expected him to hit .260 and lose his starting job in his first season. I know it's probably too early to write him off, but if even Fukudome cannot handle MLB pitching, who else is left from Japan that could? The easy answer and the only guy I can think and of is Aoki. Could it just be that we may never see another Japanese hitter excel at the Majors again?