Hideki Matsui
| AB | 4442 |
|---|---|
| AVG | .282 |
| OBP | .36 |
| SLG | .462 |
| HR | 175 |
- Full name Hideki Matsui
- Born 06/12/1974 in Kanazawa, Japan
- Profile Ht.: 6'2" / Wt.: 210 / Bats: L / Throws: R
- School Seiryo Commercial
- Debut 03/31/2003
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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A fan favorite in Japan, Matsui has been known more commonly as "Godzilla" since his days at Seiryo High in Japan's Ishikawa perfecture. He won the Central League MVP award for the third time last year, finishing seven points in batting average shy of a triple crown. After leading the Giants to their second Japan Series championship in three years, and the third of his career, he wasted little time in declaring his intentions to pursue a career in the U.S. The Yankees signed him to a three-year contract worth $21 million. Squarely built with a solid, muscular frame, Matsui employs a classic Japanese swing. He pulls off pitches with a slight spin but is able to generate plus-plus power. He should enjoy the short right-field porch in Yankee Stadium, and as one of the strongest players in Japan he displayed the raw power to drive the ball the other way as well. He has above-average bat speed and crushes mistakes over the plate. He's a patient hitter capable of working the count, and he's dangerous even with two strikes against him. For all of Matsui's home run prowess, he hit just .261 with four home runs in 119 at-bats in four years against touring U.S. major leaguers. Some scouts doubt his power will translate because of his unorthodox approach. Matsui feasted on the 361-foot alleys in Yomiuri's home park, the Tokyo Dome. He can be vulnerable to breaking balls in the dirt and there are questions whether he'll be able to catch up to the best major league fastballs. He won three Gold Gloves as a center fielder in Japan, though that was more for his popularity than for his defensive skills. His fringy arm and limited range will likely land him in left field in New York. Japanese scouts thought he might end up at first base, which is not a viable option, and Matsui couldn't handle third base when Yomiuri experimented with him there two years ago. The media circus that has followed Japanese players such as Ichiro and Hideo Nomo will be multiplied in New York, but Matsui has thrived under a microscope. His even-keeled approach should help him, and he'll also benefit from hitting behind Bernie Williams and Jason Giambi.
