Shogo Akiyama

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Cincinnati Reds #7 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: Akiyama is coming to the U.S. after spending nearly a decade with the Seibu Lions. Akyama was one of the most productive hitters in the Nippon Professional Baseball league for the second half of the 2010s. Akiyama set an NPB single-season record with 216 hits (in 143 games) in 2015. He's a career .301/.376/.454 hitter who fits best as a leadoff man. His power has increased in recent years–he's hit 20 or more home runs in each of the past three seasons after averaging eight home runs a year over his first six seasons. Akiyama broke a bone in his right foot when he was hit by a pitch in a warm-up game before the Premier12 tournament, but he's been exceptionally durable during his career–he hasn't missed a regular season game since 2014.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Akiyama won six Gold Gloves in Japan while roaming center field. He is more of an above-average runner than a burner, but he has the ability to provide an impact both in the field, where he should be an above-average center fielder, and on the basepaths, although he's not a particularly prolific basestealer. Akiyama's stance and swing is both conventional (by Japanese standards) and unconventional (by U.S. standards). He coils into his back leg, pointing his front foot nearly at the catcher. He often uses a significant timing step to help start his swing, but usually has had little issue timing pitches. Akiyama has gone from being a slap hitter to one who can yank and drive high fastballs–he does a good job at using his lower half and clearing it through even when pitchers try to jam him. Akiyama has excellent barrel control. He may have some adjustment period to the U.S., but he's a solid hitter who should be an above-average (and possibly plus) hitter with 10-15 home run power.
  
  THE FUTURE: Akiyama will turn 32 early in the season, so there is no projection involved. While he may have to adjust to the U.S., the Reds are looking to him to be a useful high-on-base contributor from day one. He's more of a complementary type than a star, but it's very plausible that he could have a Nori Aoki type career with Cincinnati.

• July, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Akiyama is coming to the U.S. after spending nearly a decade with the Seibu Lions. Akyama was one of the most productive hitters in the Nippon Professional Baseball league for the second half of the 2010s. Akiyama set an NPB single-season record with 216 hits (in 143 games) in 2015. He’s a career .301/.376/.454 hitter who fits best as a leadoff man. His power has increased in recent years–he’s hit 20 or more home runs in each of the past three seasons after averaging eight home runs a year over his first six seasons. Akiyama broke a bone in his right foot when he was hit by a pitch in a warm-up game before the Premier12 tournament, but he’s been exceptionally durable during his career–he hasn’t missed a regular season game since 2014.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Akiyama won six Gold Gloves in Japan while roaming center field. He is more of an above-average runner than a burner, but he has the ability to provide an impact both in the field, where he should be an above-average center fielder, and on the basepaths, although he’s not a particularly prolific basestealer. Akiyama’s stance and swing is both conventional (by Japanese standards) and unconventional (by U.S. standards). He coils into his back leg, pointing his front foot nearly at the catcher. He often uses a significant timing step to help start his swing, but usually has had little issue timing pitches. Akiyama has gone from being a slap hitter to one who can yank and drive high fastballs–he does a good job at using his lower half and clearing it through even when pitchers try to jam him. Akiyama has excellent barrel control. He may have some adjustment period to the U.S., but he’s a solid hitter who should be an above-average (and possibly plus) hitter with 10-15 home run power.
  
  THE FUTURE: Akiyama will turn 32 early in the season, so there is no projection involved. While he may have to adjust to the U.S., the Reds are looking to him to be a useful high-on-base contributor from day one. He’s more of a complementary type than a star, but it’s very plausible that he could have a Nori Aoki type career with Cincinnati.
• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Akiyama is coming to the U.S. after spending nearly a decade with the Seibu Lions. Akyama was one of the most productive hitters in the Nippon Professional Baseball league for the second half of the 2010s. Akiyama set an NPB single-season record with 216 hits (in 143 games) in 2015. He's a career .301/.376/.454 hitter who fits best as a leadoff man. His power has increased in recent years–he's hit 20 or more home runs in each of the past three seasons after averaging eight home runs a year over his first six seasons. Akiyama broke a bone in his right foot when he was hit by a pitch in a warm-up game before the Premier12 tournament, but he's been exceptionally durable during his career–he hasn't missed a regular season game since 2014.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Akiyama won six Gold Gloves in Japan while roaming center field. He is more of an above-average runner than a burner, but he has the ability to provide an impact both in the field, where he should be an above-average center fielder, and on the basepaths, although he's not a particularly prolific basestealer. Akiyama's stance and swing is both conventional (by Japanese standards) and unconventional (by U.S. standards). He coils into his back leg, pointing his front foot nearly at the catcher. He often uses a significant timing step to help start his swing, but usually has had little issue timing pitches. Akiyama has gone from being a slap hitter to one who can yank and drive high fastballs–he does a good job at using his lower half and clearing it through even when pitchers try to jam him. Akiyama has excellent barrel control. He may have some adjustment period to the U.S., but he's a solid hitter who should be an above-average (and possibly plus) hitter with 10-15 home run power.
  
  THE FUTURE: Akiyama will turn 32 early in the season, so there is no projection involved. While he may have to adjust to the U.S., the Reds are looking to him to be a useful high-on-base contributor from day one. He's more of a complementary type than a star, but it's very plausible that he could have a Nori Aoki type career with Cincinnati.