Hey everyone. Just thought you might want a concise look at all that has been going on as far as roster moves in the past week or so. The season starts in 10 days, and management is starting to solidify the roster for Opening Day. Who’s been brought up? Who’s been sent down? Which positions are going to which men? Here’s a few words to bring you up to speed…
Tsuyoshi Nishioka has been verbally given a spot on the top squad. Kanemoto seems to like his versatility and ability to switch hit, perhaps getting starts against lefty pitching in place of Kento Itohara. Speaking of Itohara, he has pretty much been named the Opening Day shortstop, and could bat second.
Speaking of the batting order, Kanemoto has also declared that Wilin Rosario will bat fourth, despite his struggles through the exhibition schedule.
Some guys have stuck around on the top squad despite not having strong pedigree or high expectations, but they have impressed this spring. One of those is newly acquired Noriharu Yamazaki, who was cut by the Yokohama DeNA BayStars last fall. Hayata Itoh has also shown great tenacity at the plate and on the base paths this spring, making it tough to see him starting the year on the farm.
On the pitching end of things, Taiki Ono and Hiroto Saiki are in a battle for a spot in the rotation, though the way the rest of the regulars are throwing, they may both make the cut! Another dark horse is last year’s second round draft pick, Haruto Takahashi. Shintaro Fujinami seems to have taken one step forward and two steps back. Yuta Iwasada‘s control and stuff is not what it needs to be, and he will likely not get starts for awhile, either. Takumi Akiyama got roughed up in his most recent preseason game, but he also didn’t care for the mound he was on, and also he was apparently trying not to show all his stuff to the opposition, either. All this to say, the starting rotation is very unstable at present.
The center field position battle took an interesting turn when Masahiro Nakatani was sent down to the farm yesterday. He is eligible to be called up on March 30th for Opening Day, though I believe teams have to finalize their Opening Day rosters by an earlier date, which essentially eliminates him. But 2016 Rookie of the Year Shun Takayama has had a solid spring, and could very well win the starting role.
Relievers Ryoma Matsuda, Masaki Tanigawa and Hiroya Shimamoto got sent down to be cultivated, which essentially means they will not be on the top squad against the Giants. On the other hand, new import Diego Moreno has gotten positive reviews from management and the media. Look for him to help let the bullpen, particularly our two Dominicans, get enough rest this season.