Matsuzaka vs The 2004 MLB All-Stars .

[NateGrey]

Part 1

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfBycPyvnPY

 

Part 2

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dz0ACLcSCPI

 

...........................................................................

 

[castigs850]

1 run against some of the best in the MLB for 9 innings is enough proof for me

[SchillingIsTheNatural]

Good find...Great stuff to watch. Not only does he have great stuff but he knows how to pitch. He changes speeds and mixes up his pitches nicely. Can't wait to see him in HD next year....SIGN HIM!

[EvilDonut]

After Watching that it looks like hes improved a lot since then. Here it seems his control isnt as good as the Videos in the WBC.

[yeszir]

Add in his performance in the WBC and that's definitely good enough for me.

[example1]

Here's what I wrote last night in the other matsuzaka thread. I'm too lazy to re-write it and it actually belongs in this new thread:

---------------

I'm surprised that more people haven't commented on this. This is the clearest picture of what it will be like for Matsuzaka in the MLB. The team he faces has some very good players, but it is not a true "All-Star" lineup that he's facing, despite the name. It resembles a good AL lineup, in my opinion:

 

Carl Crawford

Jack Wilson

Hank Blalock

Moises Alou

Miguel Cabrera

Victor Martinez

Johnny Estrada

Brad Wilkerson

Alex Cora

 

9 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 6 K, 31 Batters Faced.

 

What I noticed from the video (which shows every pitch from the Monster) was that he actually had worse control than he seems to in most of the other starts I watched. In this tape he really misses a few times, but I get the sense that he's simply trying not to leave fat pitches over the plate. This is especially true of his fastball. He just looks like he's being a lot more careful than he is in most of the japanese games and he's not nearly as dominant (which is to be expected). He's the type of pitcher, though, who seems to use all of his stuff to his advantage. He doesn't get stuck on using one pitch and he knows that he needs to be creative to get these guys out.

 

Watch the way he sets up Hank Blalock to end the first tape (30 seconds to go or so). A high fastball that looks like he truly missed his spot, followed by a nasty forkball or circle change that starts up and ends up down in the zone. Nasty.

 

There is no reason to think this guy can't handle MLB batters after watching this tape.

[castigs850]

i disagree with the fact thats its only a "good AL lineup" we, the redsox, have a good AL lineup, one with crawford blalock cabrera martinez and jack wilson would be one that could keep up with the yankees in scoring runs, and if matsuzaka can shut the yankees down like he did those guys he is well worth the 100$mil that we would be giving up for him, if i wasnt pumped before you can bet i am now

[example1]

i disagree with the fact thats its only a "good AL lineup" we' date=' the redsox, have a good AL lineup, one with crawford blalock cabrera martinez and jack wilson would be one that could keep up with the yankees in scoring runs, and if matsuzaka can shut the yankees down like he did those guys he is well worth the 100$mil that we would be giving up for him, if i wasnt pumped before you can bet i am now[/quote']

 

 

I think this is a lineup comparable to the Red Sox, yankees, Blue Jays, Guardians, Twins, Detroit, etc., on any given night. Over the course of a season i would love to have the "All Star" lineup, but its not heavy hitters up and down the order.

 

I think the yankees have shown that having an "all-star" lineup does not necessarily produce more wins. Having guys who get on base mixed with mashers is what scores more runs, and decent defense helps get those wins.

[CrespoBlows]

2004 stats:

 

Crawford - .296 11 HR's, 59 SB's

Wilson - .308 11 HR's, 59 RBI's

Blalock - .296 32 HR's, 110 RBI's

Alou - .293 39 HR's, 106 RBI's

Cabrera - .296 33 HR's, 112 RBI's

Martinez - .283 23 HR's, 108 RBI's

Estrada - .314 9 HR's, 76 RBI's

Wilkerson - .374 OBP 32 HR's, 67 RBI's

Cora - .269 10 HR's, 61 RBI's

 

This is a pretty good lineup.

[example1]

Nobody said it wasn't a good lineup. I think the AL these days is FILLED with good lineups. It's just not an "all star" lineup.

 

here's an "all star" lineup using the same positions and batting order:

 

Crawford

Jeter

A-Rod

Manny

Cabrera

Martinez

Ortiz

Beltran

Soriano

 

THAT'S an All-Star lineup. The other lineup looks much more like a "team" with people being used for things other than hitting.

 

i think it is extremely representitive of the better teams Matsuzaka will realistically face.

[NateGrey]

http://espn-ak.starwave.com/media/mlb/2004/1119/photo/g_matsuzaka_i.jpg

 

Big league hitters can breathe a sigh of relief. Daisuke Matsuzaka isn't eligible for free agency for another three years. Maybe.

 

The 24-year-old right-hander is considered the best pitcher in Japan. Earlier this month in the U.S.-Japan All-Star series, Matsuzaka tossed a complete-game five-hitter for a 5-1 victory in Sapporo. The Seibu Lions' ace did not allow a hit until the fifth inning, and retired 10 of the final 11 MLB hitters to become the first pitcher in the series to toss a complete game.

 

 

Daisuke Matsuzaka posted a 2.90 ERA for the Seibu Lions last season.

 

 

"Without question he could pitch in the major leagues," U.S. manager Bruce Bochy said after the game. "He has four major league pitches, and has a good idea of what he's doing on the mound. It's hard to compare him to anybody because of his unique delivery."

 

While the Class of 2005 from Japan isn't expected to produce an impact player, many are waiting for Matsuzaka to make his way to a big league club.

 

"I would definitely like to play in the majors," Matsuzaka said after the game. "I wanted to show what I could do."

 

Matsuzaka has to play three more seasons in Japan to become a free agent. However, the Japan Times' Web site reported Kokudo Corp. has decided to sell the Seibu Lions. It's possible Matsuzaka could reach the majors sooner through the posting system in Japan.

 

Under the current rule, if a Japanese player wants to make the move to the majors before qualifying for free agency, the player is put up for auction under the posting system. If Matsuzaka doesn't care which major league team gets his exclusive negotiating rights, he may leave Japan after the next season. Ichiro Suzuki and Kazuhisa Ishii used the same method to go to the majors.

 

Matsuzaka was the winning pitcher in Japan's 6-3 victory over Cuba in the preliminary round of the Athens Olympics.

 

He also played a key role in helping the Seibu Lions win the Japan Series this year.

 

Cubs outfielder Moises Alou, who singled off Matsuzaka in the sixth inning of the game in which Matsuzaka tossed a complete game, was impressed with the hard-throwing right-hander.

 

"He pitched really well,'' Alou told the Associated Press. "I was lucky to hit a fastball right down the middle.''

 

Two other pitchers, Koji Uehara (Yomiuri Giants) and Kei Igawa (Hanshin Tigers) also impressed against the major leaguers.

 

Uehara and Igawa have publicly expressed their desire to go the majors. However, just like Matsuzaka, they have to play more than three seasons to become free agents.

 

Can they wait? Well, maybe not. It is believed they may also use the posting system to get out of Japan sooner.

 

While the Class of 2005 from Japan isn't as strong as recent years, three position players who announced they would like to go the majors have the potential to bring some impact. They are:

 

Tadahito Iguchi (Daiei Hawks): A second baseman with tremendous speed. He stole 42 bases in 2003 and it was his second stolen base title. His fielding would also be above average. However, he has been playing on artificial turf. He could struggle on natural grass, just like Kaz Matsui did wth the Mets.

 

He has some power, but he will mainly be the type of player who hits between the gaps. He cares about on-base percentage (his OBP for 2003 season was .438) more than hits and home runs, so he could transfer from the middle of the lineup to the leadoff spot.

 

His career batting average is .271 with 149 home runs and 507 RBI. He's played for the Daiei Hawks for eight seasons.

 

Norihiro Nakamura (Kintetsu Buffaloes): Two years ago, he was almost about to wear the Mets' uniform. According to some reports, they had an agreement in principle, but Nakamura changed his mind after successfully completing a physical. It is believed the Mets had agreed on a two-year, $7 million contract for Nakamura, but Nakamura signed with his former team, the Kintetsu Buffaloes, for $30 million over five years.

 

He is not a free agent, so he will have to go to the majors by the posting system. It is hard to guess who will join the money game, but his salary will most likely be less than a two-year, $7 million deal. His offensive stats in the past two seasons declined due to injuries.

 

He still has tremendous power, but at the same time he is a five-time golden glove winner. His career batting average is .267 with 307 home runs and 916 RBI. He's played for the Kintetsu Buffaloes for 13 seasons.

 

Toshihisa Nishi (Yomiuri Giants): A second baseman with great range, and a four-time golden glove winner. Although he had a career high 28 home runs this season, he is recognized as one of the smartest leadoff hitters in Japan. He played in the Japan-U.S. All-Star exhibition games, but he batted just .118 (2-for-17).

 

He said before the series, "I would like to show my ability at this series." But he also said, "If no major teams offer more than $1 million, I will stay here, in Japan." It is hard to guess how many teams could make an offer of more than $1 million for Nishi, who is 33 years old, and a career .274 hitter. However, if a team signs Nishi for $1 million, he could be a bargain deal.

 

His career average is .274 with 121 home runs and 389 RBI. He's played for the Yomiuri Giants for nine seasons.

 

 

> http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1926706

......................................................................

[example1]

 

http://espn-ak.starwave.com/media/mlb/2004/1119/photo/g_matsuzaka_i.jpg

 

Big league hitters can breathe a sigh of relief. Daisuke Matsuzaka isn't eligible for free agency for another three years. Maybe.

 

The 24-year-old right-hander is considered the best pitcher in Japan. Earlier this month in the U.S.-Japan All-Star series, Matsuzaka tossed a complete-game five-hitter for a 5-1 victory in Sapporo. The Seibu Lions' ace did not allow a hit until the fifth inning, and retired 10 of the final 11 MLB hitters to become the first pitcher in the series to toss a complete game.

 

 

Daisuke Matsuzaka posted a 2.90 ERA for the Seibu Lions last season.

 

 

"Without question he could pitch in the major leagues," U.S. manager Bruce Bochy said after the game. "He has four major league pitches, and has a good idea of what he's doing on the mound. It's hard to compare him to anybody because of his unique delivery."

 

While the Class of 2005 from Japan isn't expected to produce an impact player, many are waiting for Matsuzaka to make his way to a big league club.

 

"I would definitely like to play in the majors," Matsuzaka said after the game. "I wanted to show what I could do."

 

Matsuzaka has to play three more seasons in Japan to become a free agent. However, the Japan Times' Web site reported Kokudo Corp. has decided to sell the Seibu Lions. It's possible Matsuzaka could reach the majors sooner through the posting system in Japan.

 

Under the current rule, if a Japanese player wants to make the move to the majors before qualifying for free agency, the player is put up for auction under the posting system. If Matsuzaka doesn't care which major league team gets his exclusive negotiating rights, he may leave Japan after the next season. Ichiro Suzuki and Kazuhisa Ishii used the same method to go to the majors.

 

Matsuzaka was the winning pitcher in Japan's 6-3 victory over Cuba in the preliminary round of the Athens Olympics.

 

He also played a key role in helping the Seibu Lions win the Japan Series this year.

 

Cubs outfielder Moises Alou, who singled off Matsuzaka in the sixth inning of the game in which Matsuzaka tossed a complete game, was impressed with the hard-throwing right-hander.

 

"He pitched really well,'' Alou told the Associated Press. "I was lucky to hit a fastball right down the middle.''

 

Two other pitchers, Koji Uehara (Yomiuri Giants) and Kei Igawa (Hanshin Tigers) also impressed against the major leaguers.

 

Uehara and Igawa have publicly expressed their desire to go the majors. However, just like Matsuzaka, they have to play more than three seasons to become free agents.

 

Can they wait? Well, maybe not. It is believed they may also use the posting system to get out of Japan sooner.

 

While the Class of 2005 from Japan isn't as strong as recent years, three position players who announced they would like to go the majors have the potential to bring some impact. They are:

 

Tadahito Iguchi (Daiei Hawks): A second baseman with tremendous speed. He stole 42 bases in 2003 and it was his second stolen base title. His fielding would also be above average. However, he has been playing on artificial turf. He could struggle on natural grass, just like Kaz Matsui did wth the Mets.

 

He has some power, but he will mainly be the type of player who hits between the gaps. He cares about on-base percentage (his OBP for 2003 season was .438) more than hits and home runs, so he could transfer from the middle of the lineup to the leadoff spot.

 

His career batting average is .271 with 149 home runs and 507 RBI. He's played for the Daiei Hawks for eight seasons.

 

Norihiro Nakamura (Kintetsu Buffaloes): Two years ago, he was almost about to wear the Mets' uniform. According to some reports, they had an agreement in principle, but Nakamura changed his mind after successfully completing a physical. It is believed the Mets had agreed on a two-year, $7 million contract for Nakamura, but Nakamura signed with his former team, the Kintetsu Buffaloes, for $30 million over five years.

 

He is not a free agent, so he will have to go to the majors by the posting system. It is hard to guess who will join the money game, but his salary will most likely be less than a two-year, $7 million deal. His offensive stats in the past two seasons declined due to injuries.

 

He still has tremendous power, but at the same time he is a five-time golden glove winner. His career batting average is .267 with 307 home runs and 916 RBI. He's played for the Kintetsu Buffaloes for 13 seasons.

 

Toshihisa Nishi (Yomiuri Giants): A second baseman with great range, and a four-time golden glove winner. Although he had a career high 28 home runs this season, he is recognized as one of the smartest leadoff hitters in Japan. He played in the Japan-U.S. All-Star exhibition games, but he batted just .118 (2-for-17).

 

He said before the series, "I would like to show my ability at this series." But he also said, "If no major teams offer more than $1 million, I will stay here, in Japan." It is hard to guess how many teams could make an offer of more than $1 million for Nishi, who is 33 years old, and a career .274 hitter. However, if a team signs Nishi for $1 million, he could be a bargain deal.

 

His career average is .274 with 121 home runs and 389 RBI. He's played for the Yomiuri Giants for nine seasons.

 

 

> http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1926706

......................................................................

 

 

thanks nate...?

[NateGrey]

 

 

 

 

thanks nate...?

 

:dunno: . lol .

[BSN07]

Agree, wonderful find. That line up he faced was a great way to measure how he might be against everyday lineups in the AL. That lineup had a few big hitters, some contact guys, everything you would see in most teams lineups. It's actually a pretty potent line up if you look at those guys stats for the 04'season. The only lineup that good in the majors is the NYY. His control did get a little wild at some points, but think he was only 23 or 24 at the time of the game and he handled those guys nicely. I was a little weary of an untested pitcher, but my God he looked phenomenal in those clips. With his control being better then it was then, I think this guy might just turn out to be the Ace we where hoping for. I don't see him being any worse then a #2 or #3.