Takeya Nakamura is atypical amongst NPB hitters. The 40-year-old Seibu Lions infielder not solely has 478 profession residence runs — ninth-most in Japan’s high league — he has fanned 2,118 occasions. Ingloriously, that’s the highest strikeout complete in Japanese baseball historical past.
How is the Adam Dunn-like slugger seemed upon in a baseball tradition that favors contact over energy? I requested that query to Toronto Blue Jays southpaw Yusei Kikuchi, who performed alongside Nakamura with the Seibu Lions for eight seasons.
“He’s a former teammate of mine and I actually respect him as a participant and a human being,” mentioned Kikuchi via translator Yusuke Oshima. “There aren’t plenty of hitters with pop over there. I believe these sort of gamers must be extra revered in Japan, as a result of it’s pure for residence run hitters to strike out rather a lot. It’s a tradeoff. He’s mentioned that he’s not fearful about it. Folks must be extra open-minded on the subject of these issues.”
Kikuchi added that there aren’t plenty of hitters like Nakamura in Japan as a result of “coaches over there are inclined to frown upon hanging out rather a lot.” Furthermore, the statistical classes which are valued most are hits, batting common, runs scored, and RBIs. Pitchers are seen in a traditionally-similar method. A lot because it as soon as was stateside, wins are what matter most.
“I really feel like Japan is slightly bit behind in understanding which stats are actually essential,” Kikuchi informed me. “If OPS was valued extra, gamers like [Nakamura] can be valued extra. However most gamers have idolized and seemed as much as the best way Ichiro performed. His model was clearly to place the bat on the ball, run the bases, and play stable protection. I believe everybody has sort of tried to mannequin their recreation after him. That’s what the model is like over there in Japan.”
May that start to alter? Shohei Ohtani is a global sensation, and two years in the past Munetaka Murakami slugged 56 residence runs for the Yakult Swallows, placing him on the radar of MLB scouts whereas he was wowing followers in his homeland. In Kikuchi’s opinion, there are individuals taking discover.
“Some guys there who’re envisioning themselves enjoying abroad, in order that they’re attempting to achieve some extra energy and hit extra residence runs,” mentioned Kikuchi. “So perhaps the sport is altering slightly bit. They’re beginning to use some extra knowledge over there, in comparison with earlier than after they have been simply going old-school Japanese model. Hopefully there shall be some change going ahead in NPB.”
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RANDOM HITTER-PITCHER MATCHUPS
Whit Merrifield is 10 for 25 in opposition to Carlos Rodón.
Alan Trammell went 9 for 13 in opposition to Jerry Reuss.
Bubba Trammell went 8 for 12 in opposition to Kelvim Escobar.
Steve Whitaker went 7 for 18 in opposition to Dave Boswell.
Lou Whitaker went 6 for 10 in opposition to Juan Berenguer.
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If you happen to learn the superb piece Ben Clemens penned this previous Thursday — and even perhaps if you happen to didn’t — you already know that Cade Smith has a highly-effective fastball. Thanks largely to the distinctive qualities of the providing, the Cleveland Guardians rookie right-hander has been one of many high relievers in MLB.
My colleague cited Smith’s low arm slot and elite extension — the latter ranks within the 99th percentile — as contributory causes behind his heater’s efficiency. Aschance would have it, I talked to the 25-year-old Abbotsford, British Columbia native about his supply earlier this season. What I realized is that he’s made an especially-impactful adjustment for the reason that Guardians signed him as an newbie free agent following the truncated 2020 draft.
“My mechanics have fully shifted,” mentioned Smith, who performed his faculty ball on the College of Hawaii. “I stripped them right down to the fundamentals, minimizing the transferring elements. I wanted to know how I’m going to finest create drive and velocity, as a result of I’m not a hyper-flexible man. I even have tremendous lengthy legs and arms, and had to determine how you can management them, how you can perform correctly within the timing and sequencing as a way to be environment friendly down the mound. I began constructing that basis in 2021, and I’ve construct extra issues on high of it within the years since.”
One other notable adjustment the 6-foot-5 righty has made is pitch-specific. Previous to final season, Smith modified his splitter grip.
“I moved the fingers nearer collectively,” he defined. “As a result of my fingers are so huge I used to be in a position to go tremendous vast, however that made it very gradual. It was additionally coming out of my hand and sort of floating. It didn’t appear to be a fastball, so no person was fooled by it. Now it seems to be like a fastball, however then finally ends up 10 to fifteen inches beneath the place my fastball can be, with slightly tumble. I’d say it’s my finest [secondary pitch].”
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A quiz:
Tony Gwynn is the San Diego Padres all-time chief in quite a few classes, together with plate appearances, hits, singles, and doubles. Which former Padre ranks second to Gwynn in these 4 classes? (A touch: he led the Nationwide League in triples 3 times whereas enjoying for one more workforce.)
The reply may be discovered beneath.
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NEWS NOTES
The complete schedule for this yr’s nationwide SABR conference, which shall be held in Minneapolis from August 7-11, has been launched. It may be discovered right here.
John Schuerholz and the late Cedric Tallis have been formally inducted into the Kansas Metropolis Royals Corridor of Fame on Friday. Schuerholz was the workforce’s common supervisor from 1981-1990. Tallis served in that position from 1968-1974.
Orlando Cepeda, a Corridor of Fame first baseman who logged a 131 wRC+ and 50.3 WAR in a big-league profession that spanned the 1958-1974 seasons, died on Friday at age 86. A seven-time All-Star generally known as The Child Bull, Cepeda gained NL Rookie of the 12 months honors with the San Francisco Giants in 1958 and was voted NL MVP with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1967. He led the senior circuit in residence runs (46) and RBIs (142) with the Giants in 1961.
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The reply to the quiz is Garry Templeton, who performed for the Padres from 1982-1991. He led the senior circuit in triples annually from 1977-1979 whereas with the St. Louis Cardinals.
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David Hamilton was enjoying within the Milwaukee Brewers system when he was first featured right here at FanGraphs in Might 2021. Then with the Midwest League’s Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, the 2019 eighth-round pick of the College of Texas was a low-profile center infield prospect whose wheels have been his carrying device. By season’s finish, he had 52 stolen bases to go along with a reputable, but nothing particular, .761 OPS.
Three years later, Hamilton is doing extra than simply enjoying the position of a jackrabbit. A pleasing shock on a Pink Sox workforce that’s itself exceeding most expectations, Hamilton is slashing .272/.322/.432 with 5 residence runs and a 108 wRC+ on the yr, and for the reason that starting of Might these numbers are .290/.333/.468 with 4 residence runs and a 120 wRC+. Boston acquired Hamilton from the Brewers in December 2021 as a part of the commerce that despatched Hunter Renfroe to Milwaukee.
Previous to his Might-onward surge, Hamilton was simply 12-for-71 (.169) since debuting with the Pink Sox final summer season, and at age 26 with seemingly restricted energy he was wanting like something however a productive member of a big-league batting order.
To what does the speedy infielder attribute his newfound success?
“I believe it begins with the prep work,” Hamilton informed me not too long ago. “I’m going into that with slightly extra focus. I don’t actually know the suitable phrase for it. Possibly focus after I’m doing my work? It’s not that I didn’t do this earlier than, however perhaps I sort of flip-flopped issues round as an alternative of sticking with the identical routine on daily basis. I believe that most likely performs into it.”
Requested if a lightweight bulb went off, alerting him to the concept that he wanted to start out producing or else, he admitted there was perhaps a grain of fact to that. He hadn’t been enjoying recurrently, nor significantly nicely, so including conviction to his efforts might solely assist. Queried about any mechanical changes he may need made, Hamilton mentioned that whereas he’s been attempting to be extra direct to the ball, there was “nothing main.”
As for whether or not he’s in any respect shocked to be enjoying so nicely at baseball’s highest degree, that query prompted a solution preceded by a pregnant pause.
“It simply sort of seems like regular,” shrugged Hamilton, whose offensive contributions embrace 21 steals in 22 makes an attempt.” “I don’t know. It’s bizarre. I simply really feel like I’m enjoying and doing my factor.”
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FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Robinson Canó is slashing .456/.506/.686 with 11 residence runs in 251 plate appearances for the Mexican League’s Diablos Rojos del Mexico. The 41-year-old infielder has 3,429 skilled hits, together with 2,639 in MLB.
Nomar Mazara is slashing .291/.348/.497 with seven residence runs in 210 plate appearances for the Mexican League’s Sultanes de Monterrey, The 29-year-old outfielder’s final MLB motion got here with the San Diego Padres in 2022.
Hiroshima Carp right-hander Daichi Ohsera hasn’t allowed a run in his final 35-and-a-third innings. The 33-year-old veteran of 11 NPB seasons is 4-0 with an 0.80 ERA over 79 innings within the present marketing campaign.
Iori Yamasaki is 6-1 with a 1.53 ERA in 82-and-a-third innings for the Yomiuri Giants. The 25-year-old right-hander is 21-11 with a 2.55 ERA since making his NPB debut in 2022.
De Jesus Enmanuel is 9-4 with a 3.35 ERA and 94 strikeouts in 91-and-a-third innings for the KBO’s Kiwoom Heroes. The 27-year-old southpaw appeared in two video games for the Miami Marlins final yr.
Yeong Hyun Park is 5-2 with a 5.50 ERA in 36 innings with the KT Wiz. The 20-year-old right-hander’s 28.8% strikeout charge is third-highest within the KBO behind erstwhile big-leaguers Drew Anderson (32.9%) and Charlie Barnes (29.9%).
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A random obscure former participant snapshot:
Dave Machemer homered in his first big-league plate look, taking Minnesota’s Geoff Zahn deep to guide off the sport on June 21, 1978. It was the one residence run of his MLB profession. Twenty-seven years previous when he debuted with the California Angels, Machemer appeared in 10 video games that season, then was taken by the Detroit Tigers in that winter’s Rule-5 draft. The Central Michigan College product proceeded to play in 19 video games with the Tigers in 1979, primarily as a second-string second baseman behind Lou Whitaker. All informed, Machemer recorded 11 hits in 48 profession at-bats, after which managed within the minors for 2 dozen seasons.
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It’s usually mentioned that you simply by no means know what you would possibly see if you watch a baseball recreation, and a uncommon play happened every week in the past in the present day when the Guardians hosted the Blue Jays. Within the first inning, Toronto’s Justin Turner took off for second base on a pitch within the grime, solely to be tagged out by Cleveland’s Daniel Schneemann earlier than he reached the bag… or so it appeared. Turner’s helmet had come off — he was sliding headfirst — and it was the disengaged helmet that was contacted by Schneemann’s glove, not Turner himself. After a overview, the out name was reversed. If you happen to missed the oddball incidence, or want to see it once more, the video is right here.
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On a associated word — that is an official-scoring dictum versus an umpire’s rulebook name — any time a runner over-slides a base and is put out earlier than returning to the bottom or reaching the subsequent base safely, the runner will not be thought-about to have secured the bottom. Subsequently, he’s not credited with a stolen base even when he has contacted the bag (usually the second base bag) and continued on to 3rd the place he’s tagged out. Furthermore, he’s charged with a caught stealing, despite the fact that the out was recorded one base past the bag he was trying to pilfer.
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FARM NOTES
Hogan Windish went 4-for-4 with 4 residence runs — together with a grand slam — and a stroll for the Double-A Arkansas Vacationers on Tuesday. The 25-year-old infielder within the Seattle Mariners system has seven residence runs and a .724 OPS on the season.
Kleimer Lemos slashed .484/.535/.855 with 4 residence runs and a 241 wRC+ in 71 plate appearances within the Dominican Summer season League earlier than being promoted to the Arizona Complicated League earlier this week. The 19-year-old, switch-hitting infielder was signed by the Texas Rangers out of the Dominican Republic in January 2022.
Aron Estrada is slashing .283/.346/.430 with seven residence runs and a 128 wRC+ in 269 plate appearances for the Low-A Delmarva Shorebirds. The 19-year-old, switch-hitting infielder/outfielder was signed out of Venezuela by the Baltimore Orioles in January 2022.
Jesus Made is slashing .323/.432/.581 with three residence runs and a 157 wRC+ in 74 plate appearances within the Dominican Summer season League. The 17-year-old, switch-hitting infielder was signed by the Milwaukee Brewers out of the Dominican Republic this previous January.
Zac Lowther is 4-0 with a 2.82 ERA and 74 strikeouts in 54-and-a-third innings for the unbiased Atlantic League’s Gastonia Baseball Membership. The 28-year-old former Baltimore Orioles southpaw threw six hitless and scoreless innings on June 22 in opposition to a Charleston workforce whose lineup included erstwhile big-leaguers Phil Ervin and Clint Frazier.
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Which pitcher ought to begin for the American League in subsequent month’s All-Star Sport? I requested that query in a Twitter ballot this week, with the 4 choices being Tanner Houck, Seth Lugo, Tarik Skubal, and “different.” The outcomes, which I’ll get to a second, weren’t significantly shut. Here’s a snapshot of the pitchers’ respective numbers on the time the ballot ran:
Houck: 103.1 innings, 7-5 document, 2.18 ERA, 2.20 FIP, 3.6 WAR.Lugo: 110 innings, 10-2 document, 2.29 ERA, 3.36 FIP, 2.4 WAR.Skubal: 97 innings, 9-3 document, 2.32 ERA, 2.69 FIP, 2.8 WAR.
The bottom proportion of votes went to “different,” with Ronel Blanco, Corbin Burnes, Garrett Crochet, and Logan Gilbert among the many high-performers who have been listed as choices. As for many who have been, Lugo garnered simply 7.9%, whereas Houck acquired 17.3% Skubal gained going away with a hefty 67.6%,.
My inclination would have been to go along with Houck in an in depth name over Skubal. That mentioned, The Pink Sox right-hander had his worst outing of the yr yesterday, surrendering eight runs in simply four-and-a-third innings, lifting his ERA and FIP to 2.68 and a pair of.56 respectively. As of the second, the Tigers southpaw could be most deserving of the respect.
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LINKS YOU’LL LIKE
The Athletic’s Sam Blum went to federal jail to speak to former Los Angeles Angels communications director Eric Kay, who was convicted for his position within the drug overdose demise of Tyler Skaggs (subscription required).
The New York Submit’s Steve Serby talked to Jose Iglesias in regards to the veteran infielder’s hit music and the winding journey that introduced him to the Mets.
Blue Jays GM Ross Atkins addressed members of the Toronto media on Thursday. Keegan Matheson has the story at MLB.com.
Royals Evaluation’s Matthew LaMar feels the fanbase must recalibrate its requirements for what they need the Royals to be.
Do the Colorado Rockies have essentially the most dependable starter on the commerce market? Patrick Lyons seemed into the query at Simply Baseball.
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RANDOM FACTS AND STATS
The 1-3-5 triple play that the Philadelphia Phillies recorded in opposition to the Detroit Tigers this previous Monday was the primary of that ilk for the reason that Tigers turned the trick in opposition to the Boston Pink Sox on July 11, 1929.
Jurickson Profar is 5-for-5 with two doubles, a pair of grand slams, and 17 RBIs with the bases loaded this season.
Martín Maldonado has 10 hits in 117 at-bats for an .085 batting common. The 37-year-old Chicago White Sox catcher is a .203/.278/.341 hitter over 14 seasons.
Ronel Blanco is 8-3 with a 4.42 FIP.Reese Olson is 2-8 with a 2.89 FIP.
Wade Boggs, George Brett, and Cecil Cooper went a mixed 2-for-36 in opposition to Kevin Hickey.
Sandy Koufax threw 2,324.1 innings and had a 131 ERA+.Dizzy Dean threw 1,967.1 innings and had a 131 ERA+.Harry Brecheen threw 1,907.2 innings and had a 133 ERA+.
An additional Brecheen reality, The left-hander pitched in seven World Sequence video games with the St. Louis Cardinals (between 1943, 1944, and 1946) and went 4-0 with a 0,83 ERA. In 1946, “Harry The Cat” was the successful pitcher in video games 2, 6, and seven.
On in the present day’s date in 1992, the Texas Rangers banged out 20 hits on their approach to a 16-13 win over the Toronto Blue Jays. Kevin Brown acquired the win regardless of surrendering eight runs over seven turbulent innings to lift his document to 12-4. The proper-hander completed the season with an AL-best 21 wins.
The Detroit Tigers swept a double-header from the St. Louis Browns on in the present day’s date in 1935, successful by scores of 18-1 and 11-6. Tigers leadoff hitter Pete Fox went 8-for-11 with a pair of residence runs, eight runs scored, and 9 RBIs within the two video games.
Gamers born on in the present day’s date embrace Jeff Kobernus, an infielder/outfielder whose big-league profession comprised 28 video games and 44 plate appearances with the Washington Nationals throughout the 2013-2014 seasons. The Cal-Berkeley product logged 10 hits, together with a house run off of Philadelphia’s Cliff Lee.
Additionally born on in the present day’s date was Pompeyo Davalillo, a shortstop who performed in 19 video games for the Washington Nationals in 1953. The brother of longtime outfielder/pinch-hitter Vic Davalillo, “Yo-Yo” had seven hits in his first 13 at-bats earlier than going onto end 17-for-58 in his transient MLB profession.
