If Harris is serious about breaking into the Japanese Market. Then I think they definitely should look at this guy. Munetaka is likely the "priced" Japanese player this off-season, but Kazuma Okamoto is no consolation.
This guy averages 33 HR a season. Won Central League HR leader 3x, Central League RBI leader 2x and 2 time Mitsui Gold glove winner 2 times(although this really doesn't mean he is good defensively) . He plays 3b/1b which is a Tiger need.
This season so far he is slashing .322/.411/.581 with OPS of .992 at 77 games. 15 HR / 51 RB / 33 BB. He has 270 AB and striked out only 36 times. That's a strike out rate of 13% which is top of the league type of percentage. Now the sample size is vastly different of course, but Riley Greene striked out a league leading 30% time this season.
This guy is a need in every aspect, he can play 3B which is a massive need. He hits for power, and he doesn't strike out at all if ever. I don't know if there is a much more Harris player if I've seen one. He also pulls alot of balls. Please, Harris I beg of you. Look at the guy and don't be cheap. There is not a prospect that will be up in 3-4 years for the Tigers that he would block, and he would instantly provide a much needed jolt in this line up.
Youtube videos for reference
https://youtu.be/ttDy_Hjd0T8?si=AEdyMahYZS81z-ey
https://youtu.be/LSMTX9ozfC4?si=2sfqb-RQtQy2r0tO
https://youtu.be/WzPdyiMExck?si=DnVC1oaRnFlhQJ6A&t=405
9 comments
Just pencil him in for the Dodgers
His numbers are absolutely absurd holy fuck
He’ll stay on the west coast or end up in a big market place like NY or Boston
Saw him play at the Tokyo dome last year the crowd was much louder with their player specific cheers with him.
Would be cool if Giants actually posted him. He got rug pulled past two season.
He is gonna be cheaper than Bregman and Murakami at least.
I’m all in. Need a right handed bat and we need a right handed 3rd basemen, this makes too much sense, so naturally it won’t happen.
He’s a RH bat too. But it will ever happen.
Love the enthusiasm but he probably ain’t coming here. I guess someone saw Ohtani just take over game 4 of the NLCS and got ambitious.
Which side does he hit from? If it’s left then the tigers probably aren’t interested