Ken Kawakami... too early to be excited?

by gondeee on Mar 4, 2009 5:11 PM EST

Maybe it's the post-4:30 delirium of the work day, but I'm sitting here in my office at my job situation and singing the Ken Kawakami song... which I'm also inventing as I go along. It's a choppy medium tempo song that has a rhythm like, buum - ba - ba - ba - bum... Ken Kaw wa kam ee, batters want their mommy, Ken Kaw wa kam ee, eat some edamame.

This is why I don't share that often.

Anyway, I'm basically marvelling at the marvelous start our new Japanese starter is having. Yes, it's only spring training, but two outings, five innings, and one hit... and he's apparently working on pitches. I guess I shouldn't be surprised. We're talking about Braves scouts who recommended this player. For not really knowing what we were getting, he certainly is giving us reason to be hopeful that we got the best that Japan had to offer.

Tweet Comment 26 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

That was the most beautiful thing I’ve read all day, gondeee. Thank you for that. Hahahaha

by Gage23 on Mar 4, 2009 5:14 PM EST reply actions

Kawakami

What were his peripheral stats like in Japan (K, BB, HR%)?
vr, Xei

by Xeifrank on Mar 4, 2009 5:25 PM EST reply actions

BP

had an article on ESPN a few days ago about projecting Japanese pitchers – i’d suggest you start there.

"Better move your rental cars, I am about to take BP."
-Glendon Rusch

by Hizilla on Mar 4, 2009 6:13 PM EST up reply actions

Linky

His K/BB ratio over the last 4 years or so is 5:1.

"OBP is not a production number, and should not be used as something he achieved."

by VictorW on Mar 5, 2009 12:13 AM EST up reply actions

Wish I could be drunk at my job…

I'm not not licking toads...

by Smoltz's Beard on Mar 4, 2009 5:28 PM EST reply actions

Yeah...

I smell Listerine wafting in from gondee’s general direction.

by Lizziebeth on Mar 4, 2009 6:54 PM EST up reply actions

GIVE ME SOME OF THAT KAWAKAMI KOOL-AID…. 2009 ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

Oh, Bobby.

by sdp on Mar 4, 2009 6:47 PM EST reply actions

Nickname, maybe?

Kool-Aid Kawakami?

by FineHamAbounds on Mar 4, 2009 8:14 PM EST up reply actions

...catsports...

by bwellnjonesco on Mar 4, 2009 9:50 PM EST up reply actions

very nice

by BraveBronco0121 on Mar 4, 2009 10:00 PM EST up reply actions

+1

love it

I'm not not licking toads...

by Smoltz's Beard on Mar 4, 2009 10:15 PM EST up reply actions

haha

that made my day right there

by MIZIKE on Mar 4, 2009 10:38 PM EST up reply actions

I can't decide

If this is better or the KK song! But I can see that .gif becoming a staple here. Perhaps after most of FYF’s PA’s.

"The crows seemed to be calling his name, thought Caw."

by WienerDog on Mar 5, 2009 7:30 AM EST up reply actions

+1

Its like he’s peering into my soul and calling me a dumbass.

Your source for blind optimism.

by 10-4 on Mar 5, 2009 9:08 AM EST up reply actions

awesome

by bravesguy311 on Mar 5, 2009 10:26 AM EST up reply actions

WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY TO EARLY

by MIZIKE on Mar 4, 2009 8:32 PM EST reply actions

yea i was actually at the game today and he was great
he’ll be another great starter for us, he even had one AB before he was taken out in the end of the 3rd
but he has an alright swing… for a pitcher anyway haha

KK is the real deal, and i think he even hit up in the 94 area, most of his stuff (Fastballs were in the upper 80s mid 90s
his curve whoa what a pitch

he has the right stuff and with a little adjustment to the American baseball and he’ll be set to be a good pitcher for us for a long time

by bravesfan1047 on Mar 4, 2009 8:59 PM EST reply actions

really

fastballs in the upper 80s all the way to hitting the 94 area. sounds like he was all over the place with his velocity. jury is still out if that is a good thing though

by MIZIKE on Mar 4, 2009 10:40 PM EST up reply actions

well...

Maddux would say that changing speeds is the most important component to pitching.

At least KK has that going for him (even if it was accidental).

by apoxonbothyourhouses on Mar 4, 2009 11:53 PM EST up reply actions

I wouldn't read too much into spring training numbers...

but if he’s looked sharp (not seen him yet) I see no reason not to feel good.

by BraveBronco0121 on Mar 4, 2009 9:38 PM EST reply actions

I was hoping FYF would have a torrid spring and ease my concerns about the OF this year. Sitting at .091 so far.

by TradeAndruw on Mar 5, 2009 10:51 AM EST up reply actions

That's a number I may read more into...

ugh. FYF looks primed for a run at the wrong kind of history. Single season outs record here we come!

by BraveBronco0121 on Mar 5, 2009 11:04 PM EST up reply actions

LMAO

by chance13ga on Mar 4, 2009 9:55 PM EST reply actions

Too many walks.

He’s still adjusting of course and throwing more curves, but that’s too many walks for a control artist. I think he’ll figure it out once he gets comfortable with the bigger ball though.

"OBP is not a production number, and should not be used as something he achieved."

by VictorW on Mar 5, 2009 12:15 AM EST reply actions

i was at the game yesterday

he gave up several walks, almost walked the bases full in the 3rd, and his stuff is nowhere near over powering. but he did get batters out and no one got the ball very far outta the infield.

by GORILLATUX on Mar 5, 2009 11:42 AM EST reply actions