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Japan Series: 7 NPB Superstars to Watch

 Lucas Borja - World Baseball Network  |    Oct 26th, 2024 5:00am EDT

The highlight of fall baseball has arrived to Japan, as the dominant Fukuoka Softbank Hawks face off against the underdogs in the Yokohama Baystars in what will hopefully be another exciting series to watch. It is also your opportunity to observe some of NPB’s brightest talents on the biggest stage, from WBC champions to all-time greats.

LF Kensuke Kondoh, Hawks

Kondoh’s 2024 campaign solidified the 5-tool outfielder has a strong candidate for the best player that is currently not on a MLB roster. Utilizing a mixture of an elite eye and supreme contact skills, Kondoh hit .314/.439/.521 on his way to leading the Pacific League in basically every major hitting category save for HR and RBI, which went to his teammate, Hotaka Yamakawa, though Kondoh still cranked 19 bombs, which was 5th best in the PL.

Throughout the year, 1st-year manager Hiroki Kokubo chose to bat Kondoh solely on the 5th spot in the lineup, a decision that would have every MLB sabermetrecian gasp, since Kondoh has basically hit like a Japanese Juan Soto for the past two years, and no MLB manager that wants to keep their job would bat someone as good as Soto 5th. Kokubo batted Kondoh 5th on their 3-game sweep of the Fighters in the Climax Series, and everything points to him doing the same against Yokohama.

Expect Kondoh to have plenty of RBI chances, though it remains to be seen if the Baystars will pitch to him.

3B Ryoya Kurihara, Hawks

The author of major bounceback season in 2024, Kurihara regained his mojo and reestablished himself as a key-piece of the re-awakened Hawks juggernaut. The 3rd baseman combined all-around hitting with great defense on the hot corner to finish 2nd in WAR in all of NPB just behind Kondoh.

Kurihara hit .273/.337/.471 with 20HR while primarly batting 3rd on the Hawks stacked lineup.

The Fukui native is also no stranger to the biggest stage, as Kurihara was the 2020 Japan Series MVP, highlighting what would be the last title of a dominant era of Hawks baseball that won NPB championships from 2011-2020.

RF Yuki Yanagita, Hawks

By far the most accomplished player on both sides of this series and an undisputed all-time great, the 36-year old Yuki Yanagita is looking to add one more piece of hardware to his very full trophy case, all that is missing is being named Japan Series MVP.

The former 2x PL MVP, 10x All-Star and 6x NPB champion is definitely on the twilight of his career, as he is no longer the 5-tool monster he used to be in his prime. Still, ‘Gita poses a major threat when in the batters box, hitting for a .804 OPS in a injury riddled year. The outfielder has often been compared with Mike Trout, both for their on-field prowess and their shared difficulty to stay healthy.

Kokubo surprisingly batted Yanagita leadoff in Game 1 vs the Fighters but he will probably slot into the 2-hole ahead of Kurihara.

SP Liván Moinelo, Hawks

A dynamite wildcard in the Hawks rotation heading into the year, Liván Moinelo successfully converted from a setup ace to a frontline starter, meaning the Hawks got 163 high-quality innings instead of the 40-ish elite innings he previously gave them.

The 28-year old native of Pinar Del Rio, Cuba has been in Japan for 8 seasons after signing a developmental contract alongside now Chicago White Sox Oscar Colás in 2017, and has routinely dazzled in Fukuoka.

Throwing in mid-90’s as a southpaw, Moinelo pairs his heater with a slider, curveball and cutter, with hitters hitting a measly .187 agaisnt him. The lefty finished the year with a 1.88 ERA, 155K and a 0.94 WHIP.

Though former Texas Ranger Kohei Arihara will get the ball in Game 1, expect Moinelo to get the ball in Game 2.

2B Shugo Maki, Baystars

Without question, Maki is the heart & soul of the Baystars, distinguished as the team captain, he led the Baystars on a improbable run from a 3rd place finish in the Central League to a iconic Game 7 victory over the Yomiuri Giants in Tokyo to capture the Central Leaague pennant.

A career .298 hitter with plenty of power to spare, Maki is a rare bat first 2nd baseman, one that will surely be coveted by MLB teams in the not-so distant future, but for now, he is a vital piece in the middle of the Baystars order and will be a tough out for Hawks pitchers.

Though he does not have an extensive postseason track record,  Maki was a member of the 2023 Samurai Japan WBC roster that went on to win it all.

1B Tyler Austin, Baystars

After a tumultous past two season marred by injuries, former Yankee Tyler Austin has put it all together to reclaim the title of the best gaijin slugger in all of Japan.

The American annihilated Central League competition to a degree we haven’t seen since Wladimir Balentien in 2013, conquering a batting title to go along with 25HR and a phenomenal 203wRC+.

Austin went yard twice in the previous series against Yomiuri and manager Daisuke Miura will look to bat him in the cleanup spot (4th) behind Shugo Maki but ahead of veteran Toshiro Miyazaki, which should allow him enough protection in the lineup.

SP Katsuki Azuma, Baystars

The 2023 Baystars rotation featured widely recognizable names like former Cy-Young Trevor Bauer and MLB rookier sensation Shota Imanaga, but it was actually left-hander Katsuki Azuma that outshined both. Azuma had dealt with a series of injuries after winning ROTY in 2018, but he has now firmly established himself as Yokohama’s ace in his age 28 season.

The 2024 All-Star nominee went 13-4 with a 2.16 ERA and 140K’s in 183 innings pitched. He features a 6-pitch arsenal and can throw all offerings for a strike, which compensates for his lack of velocity.

Standing at just 5’6, Azuma creates a different look for hitters and allowed no runs on 4 innings in his only postseason start this year, but he had to leave with an injury.

Andre Jackson will take the ball in Game 1, but expect to see Azuma ready to shove as the series progresses.

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Lucas Borja - World Baseball Network
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