Where do you guys see Munenori on the Mariners roster in 2012?
Is he likely to atleast make the Opening Day roster?
Could he start at 3rd base for us?
Maybe even Left Field?
I would like to see a lineup like this in 2012:
1. Ackley 2B
2. Kawasaki 3B
3. Ichiro RF
4. Montero C
5. Carp DH
6. Smoak 1B
7. Wells LF
8. Guti CF
9. Ryan SS
In a lineup like this, I can totally see Ichiro getting anywhere from 80-100RBI and Kawasaki will be a great #2 hitter given his bunting skills, speed, and high baseball IQ
0 recs | 20 comments
Munenori Kawasaki projects as being useful only if his glove is really good.
His hitting ability is below average, even for the JPL. Starting him in left field would be insane. Certifiably baseball insane.
Matthew - January 26, 2012
Kawasaki is not competing for a starting job anywhere on the field. He's competing for the backup middle infielder role with Luis Rodriguez and it will basically come down to whether the team wants a better glove (Kawasaki) or bat (Rodriguez) on the bench
If Kawasaki makes the team and is in the starting lineup for a game he had better be in the 8 or 9 spot, otherwise something has gone terribly wrong. As far as I know he’s always been a shortstop in Japan so expecting him to play anywhere besides SS or occasionally 2B would be a pretty big stretch.
BaronVonBullshit - January 26, 2012
I mean I'd rather have Kawasaki start 3B over Figgins, but we have Seager who is almost certainly a better 3B.
If he can OBP .330 and slug .300 with average or better SS defense and average baserunning, he could be a bench player, getting like 30 starts across the diamond and maybe do some defensive subbing if we pinch-hit Wells for Seager or weird like that.
lailaihei - January 26, 2012
First thought is that you've used three too many exclamation marks in a title for a post about Munenori Kawasaki
JLC - January 26, 2012
Too bad there's no punctuation mark that means "resigned sigh"
cdlewey - January 26, 2012
My 2012 Munenori Kawasaki prediction
is that his secret identity as SBN user marina-zu will be revealed.
Snuffleupagus - January 26, 2012
I predict that Kawasaki is secretly in love with Ichiro.
EthanN - January 26, 2012
I bet he makes it through customs wearing Ichiro's head as a hat
Kermit. - January 26, 2012
I really hope these jokes don't become tired too fast.
I enjoy them far too much.
Cascadian Man - January 26, 2012
I bet if he doesn't make the team out of camp, he'll ask to stay on as Ichiro's personal batboy.
EthanN - January 27, 2012
Kawasaki is barely a major league player
Corco - January 26, 2012
I keep forgetting that he's on the team.
ThundaPC - January 26, 2012
Hall of Famer
obviously.
Clown baby - January 26, 2012
ROY and MVP
He wants to be like Ichiro, right?
WhyGodWhy - January 26, 2012
Not ready to slot Montero in at 4 yet either.
I think Smoak starts there and establishes himself there. Not that it really matters.
the other side - January 26, 2012
The best result from Kawasaki playing would be
Ichiro getting a boost by having a fellow countrymen on the team to talk to.
Eric Wedge's Mustache - January 30, 2012
He already has one
LeftArrow2 - January 31, 2012
Carlos Guillen just took his roster spot in all likelihood,so ha!
Corco - February 1, 2012
Or... Figgins...
Patrick Stites - February 1, 2012
I think there's a good chance he will not make the team and be one of the worse hitters in Tacoma
OlSalty - February 1, 2012
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