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The Book on Hitoki Iwase

Prospect Info

Hitoki Iwase
Born 11/10/1974
LHP, FA

The highest paid pitcher in Japan last year, Iwase is a free agent after the 2007 season, and projects as the best relief pitcher available from Japan. While he's a very strong closer candidate, many teams may look at him in a setup role due to his left-handedness.

The only pitcher ever to post back-to-back 40 save seasons in the history of the Japanese Baseball League, Iwase has 114 career saves since being named closer in 2004.

Like the closer he replaced, the Dragons own Akinori Otsuka, Iwase gets the job done with a mid-nineties fastball and a nasty slider that makes batters look foolish.

He projects to be an elite setup man or a very good closer.

Ranking in ScoutingBook (8/28/2008): #169

Ranking in Baseball America 2008: n/a

Ranking in Baseball Prospectus: Unranked

Ranking in MiLB.com Season Preview Unranked

Ranking from the Sporting News: Unranked

Ranking from ESPN: Unranked

Player Updates and Notes

Iwase has decided to stay in Japan for 2008, though he acknowledges he may reconsider MLB for 2009.

11/28/2007 by KDaddy

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