Daisuke Matsuzaka
| IP | 790 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 4.454 |
| WHIP | 1.403 |
| BB/9 | 4.409 |
| SO/9 | 8.203 |
- Full name Daisuke Matsuzaka
- Born 09/13/1980 in Tokyo, Japan
- Profile Ht.: 6'0" / Wt.: 205 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School Yokohama
- Debut 04/05/2007
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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The Red Sox shook up major leagues on two continents when they bid $51.1 million for Matsuzaka's rights after Japan's Seibu Lions made him available through the posting process in November. Seibu had expected to receive $30 million, but Boston coveted him after scouting him for years. The initial investment made more sense when he signed a six-year, $52 million contract. The total cost of $103.1 million over six seasons is in line with the going rate for a frontline starter, and that's exactly what Matsuzaka is. He first attracted notice in Japan's national high school tournament in 1998, throwing 250 pitches to win a 17-inning quarterfinal, saving the semifinal and tossing a no-hitter to win the championship game. In two Olympics, he has posted a 2.30 ERA and 45 strikeouts in 43 innings. Matsuzaka pitched a five-hitter against a team of all-stars from the U.S. in 2004, and he won MVP honors and all three of his starts while leading Japan to the championship of the inaugural World Baseball Classic last spring. About the worst thing any scout will say about Matsuzaka is that he might be a No. 2 starter rather than a No. 1. There's disagreement about whether the number of quality pitches he possesses is five or six or seven. His best is a forkball that dives at the plate. He usually pitches in the low 90s with his two-seam fastball, and he can dial up the velocity with a four-seamer. He finished an 11-inning win last season with a 97 mph heater. Matsuzaka also can make hitters look silly with a 12-to-6 curveball, a hard slider and a changeup that has screwball action. All six of those pitches grade as plus pitches at times, and some as plus-plus. There's talk that he throws the mystical gyroball, a breaking pitch with double spin, but he denies it. Matsuzaka also has command and control of his pitches, as well as a feel for setting up hitters. There are no doubts about his mental toughness, as he has been in the spotlight since he was in high school and has pitched well on big stage after big stage. Matsuzaka has pitched more stressful innings than most 26-year-olds and often worked on five days' rest in Japan, so there are questions about how he'll hold up in the United States. But he has a strong frame and is efficient with his pitches, and the only arm problem he ever had in Japan was a sore elbow that knocked him out for a month in 2002, when he missed most of the second half with a thigh injury. He likes to work up in the strike zone with his fastball, which can be dangerous, but he mixes pitches and locations well. Pitching in the American League East will be the ultimate test for Matsuzaka, and he's physically and mentally equipped for the challenge. Boston probably will ease the pressure by starting him toward the back of the rotation, but he should emerge as the top pitcher by season's end. With him, Jonathan Papelbon and Josh Beckett, the Red Sox have an enviable trio of 26-year-old starters they can build a staff around.
