Hiroku Kuroda

by god allah star on Mar 15, 2008 7:02 PM EDT Comment 12 comments

what's the general opinion on Kuroda?

he was left off BA's top 100,
and listening to their podcast,
a scout apparently brought that up,
saying he should've been on it.

BA also has a little article on him,
where they say he has 3 plus pitches, according to one scout. along with great control and command.

if this is the case,
shouldn't he be getting a bit more hype?
did Fukudome steal all the thunder this year?
too many imports to pay attention to?
or is everyone slightly down on him because of his ST performance to this point?

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Where have ya been??

Remember: baseball guys... baseball...

by Metty5 on Mar 15, 2008 7:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

hm?

there really hasn't been too much focus on him,
he's not getting much attention and is even going undrafted in a bunch of fantasy leagues.

three plus pitches and plus plus command sounds like a #2 at the least.

by god allah star on Mar 15, 2008 8:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

no i mean the league

you missed a lot. Didn't answer any e-mails

Remember: baseball guys... baseball...

by Metty5 on Mar 15, 2008 9:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

uuuuuum!

no i didn't.
i'm detroit,
silly.

by god allah star on Mar 15, 2008 9:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

See For Yourself

First of all, it's Hiroki Kuroda.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAq8Jfx0rYo

Once you get on youtube.com, there are some other videos to see including an epic duel between Kuroda and Hideki Matsui. I couldn't get the links to work.

BTW. 146 km/hr=90.72 mph

I don't think anyone is suggesting this guy is a #2. Possibly a #3, but the Dodgers will be ecstatic if he can be a league average #4 for a full season.

One more thing. He ain't going to lead the league in short games.

by DrBGiantsfan on Mar 15, 2008 8:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Addendum

Kuroda's ST line so far is 1-1, 7.00, 9 IP, 3 BB, 5 K's. His first outing was great. The last two, not so good. He better watch out or he might be overtaken by Esteban Loiza and Chan Ho Park for the last two rotation slots.

by DrBGiantsfan on Mar 15, 2008 8:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

well

given the contract, I'm sure he has a spot in the rotation

by count sutton on Mar 15, 2008 8:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

all star game

i don't think he's putting his max effort into the all star game.

the BA article says;
"Already 33, he flashes three plus pitches, including a 90-94 mph fastball, a late-breaking mid-80s slider and a nasty 79-82 mph split. The last two pitches are 70s on the 20-80 scouting scale, according to a veteran international scout."

it was my general understanding, and my lack of caring about Kuroda that led me to assume he was a mid to back of the rotation starter at best,
but that article just throws me off.

by god allah star on Mar 15, 2008 9:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Compare

Comparing his videos with Kei Igawa and DiceK, I'd say he's closer to Igawa.

by DrBGiantsfan on Mar 15, 2008 9:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

+1

Whatever scout that said Kuroda has three plus pitches is the only one. If he really had three plus pitches, why did he only average a 6.62 K/9 through his NPB career? Even his peak, 8.45, leaves more to be desired for a flyball pitching, Major League #2 playing in Quad-A.

Some NPB fans have told me he'll be a #3, 4 or 5 in the Majors. He's not as good as he used to be, which is a very arguable #2. He has excellent control, good/arguably great command, mediocre stuff and a mediocre ability to change speeds. Guys that project like that aren't top prospects, IMO.

by elrey34 on Mar 16, 2008 2:16 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs