Thursday, October 27, 2011

Draft 2011 Liveblogging

Will be done here. I'm going to finish up a pre-draft photopost (ongoing college player photopost is here) in the morning and the draft itself is in the afternoon.

I'm on pins and needles as usual -- just like last year I was so worried about where Ohishi and Kagami were going to end up, this year I'm hoping Takahiro Fujioka ends up somewhere good. But there are a ton of other guys I'm worried about too, of course.

And yeah, I've been to 22394092309439 games in the last month but haven't been blogging about them here. I apologize for that, especially the lack of Tokyo Big 6 coverage in what has been one of the more interesting semesters in recent history. But well, I'm returning to the US on Nov 3rd. So, busy.

[Moving the "liveblogging" part below the draft chart. Also I made a new label for these draft tables -- "Draft Results". Then I can look back through my 6 years of draft tables without going through all of my posts with "draft notes" and photos and such under "draft".]


Name Pos HS/Univ/Company T/B DOB Ht/Wt
-------------------- --- --------------- --- ---------- -------
Dragons:
1 Shuhei Takahashi IF Tokaidai Kofu HS R/L 01/18/1994 185/83
2 Kentaro Nishikawa P Seiryo HS R/R 04/18/1993 184/72
3 Shinji Tajima P Tokai Gakuen Univ R/R 181/84
4 Takehiko Tsuji P Nittai Univ R/R 07/27/1989 182/86
5 Takahiro Kawasaki P Tsu Higashi HS R/R 08/02/1993 186/77
6 Sanghun Song P 信一高校 (HS in Korea) R/R 02/24/1993 190/93

Swallows:
1 Shuhei Takahashi
Ryuhei Kawakami OF Kosei Gakuin HS R/R 05/08/1993 181/80
2 Ryohei Kiya P Nihon Bunri Univ R/R 04/07/1989 180/85
3 Wataru Hiyane IF Nihon Seishi Ishinomaki R/R 06/20/1987 180/73
4 Yuya Ota P Nihon Seishi Ishinomaki L/L 175/73
5 Yuji Nakane P Tohoku Fukushi Univ R/R 09/07/1989 180/80
6 Masato Furuno P Mitsubishi Junko Kobe R/R 09/27/1986 178/78

I1 Takeaki Tokuyama P Ritsumeikan University R/S 07/21/1989 185/83
I2 Hugo Kanabushi P Hakuoh University L/L 05/22/1989 180/71

Giants:
1 Tomoyuki Sugano
Ryuya Matsumoto P Eimei HS L/L 04/29/1993 193/78
2 Nobutaka Imamura P Osaka Gakuin Univ HS L/L 03/15/1994 180/73
3 Ryuji Ichioka P Oki Computer Gakuin R/R 01/11/1991 179/70
4 Kyosuke Takagi P Kokugakuin Univ L/L 09/05/1989 183/79
5 Go Takahashi IF Nihon Bunri HS R/R 04/30/1993 183/75
6 Yuki Egarashi P Toshiba R/R 11/14/1986 183/78
7 Seiji Tahara P Kurashiki Oceans

I1 Kazuki Mori P Shiritsu Kashiwa HS R/R 06/23/1993 185/92
I2 Mizuki Tsuchida P SIL Ehime R/R 01/01/1990 181/91
I3 Shogo Shibata P Meiji University L/L 04/13/1989 175/70
I4 Yoh Yoshikawa C Rakuhoku HS R/R 183/102
I5 Takashi Amemiya P BCL Niigata Albirex R/R 07/06/1987 174/83
I6 Takahiro Watanabe P BCL Niigata Albirex L/L 08/26/1992 173/70

Tigers:
1 Hayata Itoh OF Keio University R/L 05/08/1989 178/84
2 Hiroaki Saiuchi P Seiko Gakuin HS R/R 07/19/1993 182/80
3 Naoto Nishida OF Osaka Toin HS R/L 187/92
4 Kazuo Itoh P Tokyo Kokusai Univ R/R 12/13/1989 184/82
5 Ryoma Matsuda P Hasami HS R/R 02/08/1994 183/83

I1 Seiya Hirokami C Gunma Diamond Pegasus

Carp:
1 Yusuke Nomura P Meiji University R/R 06/24/1989 177/75
2 Ryosuke Kikuchi IF Chukyo Gakuin Univ R/R 171/69
3 Takaya Toda P Shonan HS L/L 06/10/1993 180/66
4 Shohei Habu OF Waseda University R/L 08/16/1989 180/76

I1 Hajime Tominaga P SIL Tokushima R/R 06/20/1989 179/80
I2 Masataka Nakamura OF SIL Kagawa R/R 11/07/1983 183/90
I3 Kohei Tsukada P Waseda University R/R 08/24/1989 192/89
I4 Kazuma Mike OF Shiritsu Wakayama HS R/S 180/76


Baystars:
1 Takahiro Fujioka
Ryuya Matsumoto

Yujo Kitakata P Karatsu Shogyo HS R/R 01/25/1994 180/80
2 Shuto Takajo C Kyushu Kokusai HS R/R 05/03/1993 176/79
3 Yuki Watanabe IF Kanzei HS R/R 04/09/1993 180/74
4 Masayuki Kuwahara IF Fukuchiyama Seibi HS R/R 171/73
5 Tomo Otosaka OF Yokohama HS R/L 01/06/1994 183/75
6 Mikihisa Travis Samura P Urasoe Shogyo HS R/R 10/09/1993 191/80
7 Hyuma Matsui IF Mitsubishi Hiroshima R/R 03/17/1991 180/80
8 Komura Toru P Chigasaki Nishihama HS L/L 177/76
9 Takuro Itoh P Teikyo HS R/R 04/02/1993 185/86

I1 Kosuke Tomita P SIL Kagawa R/R 04/24/1988 186/88
I2 Masashi Nishimori C SIL Kagawa R/R 12/29/1987 182/80

Hawks:
1 Shota Takeda P Miyazaki Nichidai HS R/R 04/03/1993 187/77
2 Shoji Yoshimoto P Adachi Gakuen HS R/R 06/26/1993 186/75
3 Masayoshi Tsukada IF Hakuoh Univ R/L 07/23/1989 180/79
4 Naoki Shirane P Kaisei HS (Shimane) R/R 04/28/1993 185/98
5 Shinya Kayama P JX-ENEOS L/L 11/23/1989 172/62

I1 Go Kamamoto OF Sairyo HS R/L 09/03/1993 180/80
I2 Kyohei Kamezawa IF SIL Kagawa R/L 10/15/1988 174/73
I3 Shota Miura P Iwate University R/R 11/10/1989 177/67
I4 Takashi Shimizu P Gunma Diamond Pegasus L/L 05/15/1984 177/76
I5 Shinya Arasaki IF Nihon Bunri University R/L 171/73
I6 Akihiro Sasanuma C All Ashikaga Club R/R 07/17/1987 183/81
I7 Kazuya Iida C SIL Kochi R/R 03/10/1986 182/83

Fighters:
1 Tomoyuki Sugano P Tokai University R/R 10/11/1989 185/86
2 Go Matsumoto IF Teikyo HS R/R 08/11/1993 180/80
3 Shingo Ishikawa OF E. Osaka Kashiwara HS R/R 04/27/1993 178/73
4 Kensuke Kondoh C Yokohama HS R/L 08/09/1993 172/83
5 Toshiharu Moriuchi P JR Higashinihon Tohoku R/R 01/02/1985 180/80
6 Naoyuki Uwasawa P Senshudai Matsudo HS R/R 02/26/1994 187/85
7 Takumi Ohshima C Waseda Univ Softball R/L 02/14/1990 180/97

Lions:
1 Ken Togame P JR Higashinihon R/R 11/07/1987 183/82
2 Hirotaka Koishi P NTT Higashinihon L/L 04/13/1987 177/85
3 Hitoto Komazuki C Tonan HS R/R 04/21/1993 176/86
4 Kyohei Nagae IF Kaisei HS (Mie) R/L 05/07/1993 173/75
5 Shotaro Tashiro OF Hachinohe University L/L 12/13/1989 177/72

I1 Komei Fujisawa C Matsumoto University R/L 11/11/1989 180/80

Buffaloes:
1 Shuhei Takahashi
Ryoichi Adachi IF Toshiba R/R 01/07/1988 178/74
2 Takuya Shimada IF JR Higashinihon R/R 01/22/1987 178/76
3 Tatsuya Satoh P Honda R/R 07/26/1986 178/75
4 Tomoyuki Kaida P Nihon Seimei L/L 09/02/1987 178/78
5 Ryuji Shoji C J-Project R/R 02/01/1987 176/81
6 Yuki Tsutsumi IF Saga Ryukoku HS R/L 09/21/1993 172/70
7 Shuhei Kojima IF Sumitomo Metals Kashima R/L 06/05/1987 177/75
8 Takayoshi Kawabata OF JR Higashinihon R/R 02/04/1985 176/80

I1 Daiki Inakura OF Kofuku HS R/R 05/11/1993 180/85
I2 Shoki Kakihara IF Tosu HS R/R 175/75

Eagles:
1 Takahiro Fujioka
Yoshitaka Mutoh P JR Hokkaido R/R 07/22/1987 177/72
2 Yoshinao Kamata P Kanazawa HS R/R 10/26/1993 177/75
3 Takumi Miyoshi P Kyushu Kokusai HS R/R 06/07/1993 173/74
4 Takero Okajima C Hakuoh Univ R/L 09/07/1989 174/68
5 Rintaro Kitagawa OF Meitoku Gijuku HS R/L 06/21/1993 185/82
6 Hiroaki Shimauchi OF Meiji University L/L 02/02/1990 180/75

I1 Takahiro Jinbo OF Hokkaido Transys R/R 12/09/1986 174/76

Marines:
1 Takahiro Fujioka P Toyo University L/L 07/17/1989 183/85
2 Yuhei Nakaushiro P Kinki University L/L 09/17/1989 182/72
3 Daichi Suzuki IF Toyo University R/L 08/18/1989 176/76
4 Naoya Masuda P Kansai Kokusai Univ R/R 10/25/1989 176/80


-----------------------

I've got the TV on but the show isn't on yet. Hmm.

Well, here's a nice blank grid to fill in as things go!

4:53pm The show is starting!!!

5pm They're announcing the teams and representatives, who are coming into the room in waiver order, so, I'm going to get prepared with the waiver order for the first round:

5:10pm: They showed Fujioka and Sugano in their college's press rooms, and Nomura with Shimauchi and Shibata and the rest of the Meiji club in their dorm. It's very quiet as people submit their first round picks...

Marines: Takahiro Fujioka
Baystars: Takahiro Fujioka
Eagles: Takahiro Fujioka
Carp: Yusuke Nomura
Buffaloes: Shuhei Takahashi
Tigers: Hayata Itoh
Lions: Ken Togame
Giants: Tomoyuki Sugano
Fighters: Tomoyuki Sugano
Swallows: Shuhei Takahashi
Hawks: Shota Takeda
Dragons: Shuhei Takahashi

So Nomura goes home to Hiroshima unchallenged, Itoh is going to Hanshin (oi), Togame as a sleeper pic to Seibu, and Takeda to the Hawks as expected. And WTF on challenging Sugano.

5:20 Lottery #1 is for Fujioka and... he's going to CHIBA MARINE!

I'm actually happy for him. He can get to ichi-gun quicker in a currently weak team like this, AND it means that the Marines now have BOTH of my absolute favorite Toyodai pitchers EVER (the other being Ueno). Also it's great for him in that he's from Gunma and his family can come see him play.

5:22 Lottery #2 is for Takahashi Shuhei... and .... and he's going to Chunichi after the Chunichi rep Takagi actually seemed to screw up the draw.

5:26 Lottery #3 is for Tomoyuki Sugano. WHICH IS ABSOLUTELY SO IMPROBABLE I CAN'T BELIEVE THE FIGHTERS ARE GOING FOR HIM. And would you believe it but SUGANO IS GOING TO THE FIGHTERS??!?!

Hara looks pissed. I wonder if Sugano will actually sign or will pull some kinda stunt. Jason Coskrey just invoked the word "Chono"...

Well, anyway, it's time for the backup first round picks...

Baystars: Ryuya Matsumoto, P
Eagles: Yoshitaka Mutoh, P
Buffaloes: Ryoichi Adachi, IF
Giants: Ryuya Matsumoto, P
Swallows: Ryuhei Kawakami, OF

5:35 second lottery... and Matsumoto is going to the Giants.

For the record, I LOVE the Adachi pick.

Baystars finally get a first-round pick with Kitakata from Karatsu Sho HS. Yay for Saga-ken players!!!

Okay, shortly stuff will go into waiver order for the rest of the picks.

Your overall first round picks:
Marines: Takahiro Fujioka, LHP, Toyo University
Baystars: Yujo Kitakata, RHP, Karatsu Shogyo HS
Eagles: Yoshitaka Mutoh, RHP, JR Hokkaido
Carp: Yusuke Nomura, RHP, Meiji University
Buffaloes: Ryoichi Adachi, IF, Toshiba
Tigers: Hayata Itoh, OF, Keio University
Lions: Ken Togame, RHP, JR Higashinihon
Giants: Ryuya Matsumoto, LHP, Eimei HS
Fighters: Tomoyuki Sugano, RHP, Tokai University
Swallows: Ryuhei Kawakami, OF, Kosei Gakuin HS
Hawks: Shota Takeda, RHP, Miyazaki Nichidai HS
Dragons: Shuhei Takahashi, IF, Tokaidai Kofu HS

5:45pm It's off TV here and I'm basically kinda thumbing through the draft magazines to dig up info while looking at the Sportsnavi and such to see what the picks are... hm, sounds like Kozo has a justin.tv feed as well.

It was nice to see Fujioka's interview, he seems nervous but happy. Sugano... I couldn't really read what he was saying.

6pm NAKAUSHIRO TO LOTTE!!!! TAKAJO TO YOKOHAMA!!!! that's so cool! Nakaushiro is also super-interesting and Takajo was my favorite catcher not named Suzuki in this last Koshien :)

6:13pm Teikyo connection with the Fighters continues as we get captain Go Matsumoto. He's a great raw pick, kinda like Sugiya, very talented shortstop, I saw him at Koshien as a freshman. Great pick.

I am also, btw, a fan of the Rakuten picking Kamata in the second round, glad Saiuchi has gone already too. A little surprised Matsumoto went before Itoh Takuro to be honest -- wonder what's up there. We'll see :)

6:15 Third round starts. Softbank took Yoshimoto in the second round, I guess they are going for a monopoly on "Nantoka no Darvish" HS pitchers this year.

6:28 Still entering data but OMG Miyoshi goes to Rakuten? Glad to see both him and Takajo get picked, though. Awesome.

-----------------------

It's 7:50pm and the main draft is over. I guess ikusei is starting. Interesting to see which guys DIDN'T get drafted, in some ways, I suppose.

Shogo Shibata, the nice boy with Behcet's disease, got chosen in the Ikusei rounds, by the Giants. Not sure how I feel about that.

Lots of interesting Ikusei picks honestly. I've seen a lot of the indie league guys play, actually. Have a photo with Seiya Hirogami.. just posted one of Iida catching for Irabu... heard about Takashi Shimizu pitching his no-hitter... so wacky.

Everyone is wondering what's up with this Waseda Softball guy for the Fighters... apparently he was a world-class softball player, but how does that project to baseball? There's got to be some bizarre story here.

9 comments:

Ken D, said...

If readers want to watch along, it's at http://www.justin.tv/maki_forza

Deanna said...

Apparently we're over the limit for viewers in Japan :(

Tim said...

It's funny that you've just mentioned that Ito wouldn't have much time playing if he goes to Hanshin, and now there he goes...
Let's see what he is capable of.

steve said...

Great stuff! I actually danced a little dance in the office.

Deanna said...

I love Fujioka MORE than I love Hiroki Ueno, if that's possible. I'm likely to talk your ear off about him this weekend :)

Deanna said...

As for Itoh, yeah, that'll be interesting. We knew all along that Hanshin was likely to take him. It'll be up to him to make his way up to ichi-gun. Knowing him, he'll do it. I have to admit I don't know the Hanshin depth situation that well right now, he may actually fit in very nicely with what they need, especially if he continues to hit home runs and doubles in the pros...

steve said...

What do you think about Lotte's other picks so far? It's interesting we drafted a SS - Ogino experiment over or just insurance? I can't imagine keeping a bat and speed like his out of the lineup if he can ever stay healthy.

Deanna said...

Daichi Suzuki is a very interesting pick, I just posted a little more about him earlier today. He's Toyo's captain and was also the national captain this year, he comes from a good baseball pedigree, I don't really know him that well though. He's a solid shortstop though, lefty batter.

I saw him in the US and also many times in university. Maybe they drafted him to kick Ogino into action? Or are moving Ogino back to the outfield? I really don't know.

Nakaushiro is super-interesting, he's a sidearming lefty. He speaks with a super-thick accent.

Masuda, I actually saw him play in the 2009 all-Japan college tourney, against Hosei at the time, when he was a sophomore. My impression was "Gosh, he's little" :) But I haven't seen him SINCE then, and he'd undoubtedly have filled out some since then, you'd think?

Patrick said...

Some thoughts:

1. love Ham's gutsy move going after, and getting, Sugano.

2. I like Hanshin going an after an OF in the first round. That's a trouble spot in their org.

3. Hiroshima made another nice pick but I wish they would have chosen more players.

4. Interesting that Yokohama went after mostly HS players after going heavy on college/industrial league guys the last year or two. They need upgrades at a lot of positions so it looks like they tried to spread their bets.