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Monday, July 23, 2012

Japanese schoolboy pitcher clocks 160kph [100mph]

Which MLB team will bust their international signing cap for this kid?

Shohei Otani, 18, has attracted national media attention since his rocket pitch for Hanamaki East high school on Thursday and dominated the build-up to Wednesday’s final in quake-hit northern Japan.

“It felt good to throw my favorite fastball like that,” Otani told Japanese media, referring to the televised 9-1 Iwate prefecture semi-final win over rivals Ichinoseki.

“That was the speed I promised the coach I would throw so I’m glad to have clocked that figure.”

Greg Franklin Posted: July 23, 2012 at 02:04 PM | 18 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
Tags: japan, prospects, scouting

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1. mr. man Posted: July 23, 2012 at 03:06 PM (#4189870)

his rocket pitch

Sounds like those crafty Japanese have invented another secret pitch to follow up on the 'gyroball'. I'll be very curious to see how they do it!

2. andrewberg Posted: July 23, 2012 at 03:19 PM (#4189887)

He nibbles too much.

3. dirk

Posted: July 23, 2012 at 03:53 PM (#4189941)

“That was the speed I promised the coach I would throw so I’m glad to have clocked that figure.”

...or he would have beat me senseless for my failure.

4. AROM Posted: July 23, 2012 at 04:30 PM (#4190002)

“That was the speed I promised the coach I would throw so I’m glad to have clocked that figure.”

How do you say Dr. James Andrews in Japanese?

5. JoeHova Posted: July 23, 2012 at 04:39 PM (#4190014)

Coach: Throw it 100 MPH!
Otani: Ok, coach!
Coach: [thinks to himself] I'm a genius!

6. Jarrod HypnerotomachiaPoliphili(Teddy F. Ballgame) Posted: July 23, 2012 at 05:22 PM (#4190055)

By comparison, the hardest throwers in Major League Baseball pitch as fast as 170kph.

That's 105.633mph. Shouldn't the quote say "the hardest thrower in Major League Baseball like ever, as in singular, as in he did it one time"?

7. zack Posted: July 23, 2012 at 05:54 PM (#4190083)

That's 105.633mph. Shouldn't the quote say "the hardest thrower in Major League Baseball like ever, as in singular, as in he did it one time"?

Yes, and it seems like the article is referring to a single pitch. So the kid probably throws 93-94, if he puts everything behind it he can throw one 96, and if he does that in favorable conditions with a fast gun you get this article.

8. JoeHova Posted: July 23, 2012 at 06:00 PM (#4190093)

So the kid probably throws 93-94, if he puts everything behind it he can throw one 96, and if he does that in favorable conditions with a fast gun you get this article.

Still impressive though.

9. Gamingboy Posted: July 23, 2012 at 08:26 PM (#4190306)

The Japanese WBC team is saved!

10. AJM Posted: July 23, 2012 at 08:42 PM (#4190319)

Coach: Throw it 100 MPH!
Otani: Ok, coach!
Coach: [thinks to himself] I'm a genius!

Burns: You, Strawberry, hit a home run.
Strawberry: Okay, skip.
(hits a home run)
Burns: Ha-ha! I told him to do that.
Smithers: Brilliant strategy sir.

11. cercopithecus aethiops Posted: July 23, 2012 at 08:47 PM (#4190327)

Can't wait to see him on the Yankees.

12. Gonfalon Bubble Posted: July 24, 2012 at 12:15 AM (#4190531)

That pitch should play absolutely no role in Shohei's eventual Hall of Fame vote.

13. Tom Nawrocki Posted: July 24, 2012 at 12:51 AM (#4190544)

Rockies scrub Chris Nelson supposedly could throw 100 MPH in high school. Then he blew out his elbow and needed Tommy John surgery. Now he's a third baseman.

14. Sunday silence Posted: July 24, 2012 at 01:41 AM (#4190559)

imagine how good he'll be in next year's little league world series..

15. Balkroth Posted: July 24, 2012 at 01:55 AM (#4190565)

That reminds me of Cross Game

16. Meatwad denied pope, reveals he faked it at mass Posted: July 24, 2012 at 03:09 AM (#4190586)

Can mlb teams sign him before the npb gets ahold of him?

17. FancyPantsHandle glistening with foreign substance Posted: July 24, 2012 at 06:30 AM (#4190599)

160kph [100mph]

18. Phil Coorey. Posted: July 24, 2012 at 06:53 AM (#4190607)

Can mlb teams sign him before the npb gets ahold of him?

I think so, this was how the Sox got Tazawa I think.

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Monday, July 23, 2012

Japanese schoolboy pitcher clocks 160kph [100mph]

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