Junichi Tazawa - #63 (Pitcher)

Bats: Right, Throws: Right

Age: 24, Size 5'11" 180 lbs

Acquired: Signed as an IFA, Dec 4th 2008

Contract: $550,000 (ST 0.057)

Comments: Tazawa was signed by the Sox international scounting department and immediately showed that he has the stuff to be a major league pitcher. In his debut season of 2009, Tazawa at age 23 jumped right into AA/AAA and put up a 2.55 ERA across 20 starts. He also posted a 1.043 WHIP and struck out 94 in 109+ IP. His performance earned him a few appearances with the big club and he got hammered to the tune f a 7.43 ERAwhile giving up 43 hits in only 25+ innings. Still, the future looked bright for the Japanese hurler, but alas, elbow problems led to Tommy John surgery and Junichi missed all of 2010. Still, numerous pitchers have come back from TJ and he is still only 24 years of age. He throws an average FB at about 90 but has plus breaking stuff with a slider, a curve and a split-change.

Career Stats (minors)

IP: 109+

ERA: 2.55

WHIP: 1.043

K/9: 7.7

BB/9: 2.2

K/BB: 3.48

Analysis: Tazawa haas the stuff to be a decent mid-bak rotation starter in the bigs, but must first overcome his setback. Look for him to be in the Pawtucket rotation and if healthy and pitching well later in the season maybe a late-season call up/spot starts.

Tomorrow: Oscar Tejeda