Phillies Sign Japanese Players to Minor League Deals
Posted by Amanda Orr, Sun, February 07, 2010 01:50 PM | Comments: 12
Acquisitions, Posts
Originally published Feb. 5, 2010.
According to Daily Sports Online, the Phillies signed Shigetoshi Yamakita and Naoyo Okamoto to minor league deals. They each spent 2009 with the Shonan Searex, a minor league team of the Yokohama Bay Stars. Both players are left-handed pitchers.
Yamakita, 32, posted a 2.47 ERA in 27 innings. Okamoto, 26, had a 5.28 ERA in 15.1 innings.
UPDATE (Feb 7, 1:50 PM): Todd Zolecki tweets “Contrary to reports, the Phillies haven’t signed any Japanese pitchers.” Basically, the Phillies haven’t officially announced any form of signing.
In other minor league signings, the Phillies added veteran outfielder Freddy Guzman. Guzman is currently playing in the Caribbean Series and made highlights when he stole home. The switch-hitter spent most of 2009 in different Triple-A affiliates, however he played in ten games with the New York Yankees, and stole four bases.
Posts: 0 Greg V.
Seals the deal if you ask me!
Posted: 10:38 PM on February 5, 2010
Posts: 0 GWFightinsfan
Glad to see them continue to expand their horizons in terms of finding talent, though i’m not sure if either of these pitchers will be able to contribute much for the big club if they can’t even play in the Japanese majors.
Posted: 01:31 AM on February 6, 2010
Posts: 0 WFC010
Guzman has some potential to surprise, but those Japanese pitcher guys are likely to only be used as minor league filler.
Posted: 02:26 AM on February 6, 2010
Posts: 0 Red McNertney
I hope the Phils do not overlook the baseball talent in Finland.
Posted: 10:35 AM on February 6, 2010
Posts: 0 Chris.I
Does anyone know if they will make spring training? How is this going to play out?
Posted: 11:07 AM on February 6, 2010
Posts: 0 psujoe
Interesting move. May pay dividends down the road for a japanese player. Doubtful, but maybe.
Posted: 12:01 PM on February 6, 2010
Posts: 0 marty
Did we have to give up Kendrick to get them?
Posted: 01:36 PM on February 6, 2010
Posts: 0 WorldFudgeChamp
I am informed by mlbtraderumors.com that the Phillies never signed any Japanese Players to Minor Leagues.
WorldFudgeChamp
Posted: 10:21 AM on February 7, 2010
Posts: 0 GWFightinsfan
Yes according to Philly.com, the Phils are apparently disputing the reports of these signings…
Posted: 11:27 AM on February 7, 2010
Posts: 0 Manny
NO WORK TOMORROW WAHOOO!!!
Posted: 12:34 AM on February 8, 2010
Posts: 0 Reuben Amaro
No we did not sign any Jap pitchers! We don’t even have a scout in Japan!
Posted: 02:54 PM on February 9, 2010
Posts: 0 j reed
charile speaks Japanese at least
Posted: 08:00 AM on February 11, 2010