Asian Players In Major Leagues

1. LF Hideki Matsui (New York Yankees) .294, 17 HRs, 58 RBIs in 86 GP
   Verdict: All-Star. 17 HRs is higher than the 16 he had last season.
2. SS Kazuo Matsui (New York Mets) .269, 7 HRs, 32 RBIs in 86 GP
   Verdict: A bust or just first year jitters?
3. P Michael Nakamura (Toronto Blue Jays) 0-3, 7.43 ERA in 17 GP (23.0 IP)
4. RF Ichiro Suzuki (Seattle Mariners) .321, 3 HRs, 21 RBIs; 21 SB, 6 CS in 85 GP
   Verdict: All-Star. Hopefully this year he won't slump in the second half like he has the past two seasons.
5. P Shigetoshi Hasegawa (Seattle Mariners) 2-3, 5.50 ERA in 39 GP (37.2 IP)
   Verdict: Was last year a fluke? Was expected to be a big part of the Mariners' bullpen but, like the team, has struggled.
6. P Tomo Ohka (Montreal Expos) 3-5, 3.01 ERA in 12 GP (12 GS, 71.2 IP)
   Verdict: Out for season with forearm surgery. Was having a good season until injury.
7. LF So Taguchi (St. Louis Cardinals) .261, 1 HR, 11 RBIs in 61 GP
8. P Hideo Nomo (Los Angeles Dodgers) 3-10, 8.06 ERA in 14 GP (14 GS, 67.0 IP)
   Verdict: Nomo a no-show this year.
9. P Kazuhisa Ishii (Los Angeles Dodgers) 10-4, 4.00 ERA in 17 GP (17 GS, 101.1 IP)
   Verdict: Thankfully, Ishii has picked up for Nomo and eaten up a lot of innings.
10. P Kazuhito Tadano (Cleveland Indians) 5.65 ERA in 9 GP (1 GS, 28.2 IP)
    Verdict: Has walked eight while striking out 28. Progressing nicely but just needs more experience.

B. From South Korea

1. P Jung Bong (Atlanta Braves) 1-1, 4.70 ERA in 3 GP (3 GS, 15.1 IP)
2. 1B Hee Seop Choi (Florida Marlins) .275, 14 HRs, 35 RBIs in 81 GP
   Verdict: Will be an excellent first baseman in the Major Legaues.
3. P Byung-Hyun Kim (Boston Red Sox) 1-1, 6.17 ERA in 3 GP (3 GS, 11.2 IP)
   Verdict: Flew home to South Korea to see a specialist for his sore back. Was sent down to Triple-A Pawtucket. He should be a closer again.
4. P Sun Woo Kim (Montreal Expos) 3-4, 4.92 ERA in 25 GP (7 GS, 71.1 IP)
5. P Jae Weong Seo (New York Mets) 4-5, 4.76 ERA in 16 GP (14 GS, 79.1 IP)
6. P Chan Ho Park (Texas Rangers) 2-4, 5.80 ERA in 8 GP (8 GS, 49.2 IP)
   Verdict: Was never the same after he signed a big contract with the Rangers.