Yu Darnish

[moose an squirrel]

Tried this under MLB thoughts but no bites

Anyway would like to know some thoughts about Darnish, have seen the videos and stat line from Japan
My take is borderline 2 to 3 Starting pitcher with the only blackmarks being 3.8 era for Texas ala American League and maybe wearing down over the course of the year

thanks

[wahooblue]

Tough to gauge foreign players . Initially he may have success until MLB hitters make adjustments.From what i understand ballparks in Japan are more pitcher friendly than MLB parks in general.Playing in Texas definitely raises a flag but noone knows until we see him compete in spring training and the beginning of the season.Should be interesting.

[moose an squirrel]

Selected him in the 10th round slow draft pretty much a boom or bust kinda of pickup, and as you said its going to take till midseason to find out what kind of pick it was, thank you for replying

[Captain Hook]

You might get more answers if you spelled his name correctly

[moose an squirrel]

thank you for your reply and helpful hint

[Winston's Empire]

For where he has gone so far in my first 2 - 375 Slow Drafts (8.5 & 8.12) I can see I will not be owning Darvish this year. I do think at this point there is at least a small chance he doesn't get signed by Texas making it a risk, but beyond that who knows how his skills will translate to the MLB. Put him in the bandbox that is Texas for half his starts and its just too big of a risk for me this year. His skills look great and perhaps he comes in and dominates hitters, but for me I would rather go a different route this year considering where he is being taken... at least now.

[Rainiers]

I had the mispleasure of taking last year's great Japanese import, Tsuyoshi Nishioka. I drafted him in the eleventh round of my Main Event draft. Boy, did I live to regret that one.

Tsuyoshi was kind of the yin to Yu's yan. Instead of a Japanese pitcher going to a hitter's ballpark, he was a Japanese hitter going to a pitcher's park. Even when Tsuyoshi wasn't injured, the results were very, very, ugly.

I agree with Winston empire, or should I say Max, and tread carefully and at least wait until he signs. And if you can, wait and see how he does this spring.

[converge241]

He keeps getting more expensive in mocks and drafts, going ahead of much safer options. His utmost ceiling may be higher that some of said options but I would hate to pay these prices to try and (hope to) find out.

This is even aside from the possibility that he doesnt sign (unlikely but it IS a possibility)

I own in him in one league and that will be enough for me based on his perceived value and stock inflating. I drafted him to minor league roster in that league 2 years ago and waited - costs basically nothing which is a horse of a different color, and yes I am excited/optimistic but again very low investment/risk on my part

[Captain Hook]

Obviously Darvish is very difficult to project - so many things different for a pitcher who has been starting once a week with a smaller ball in pitchers parks versus AA+/AAA- hitters.

That said Darvish's numbers were better than Nomo's or Matsuzaka's in Japan AND he is younger and has better mechanics and more pitches he has controlled pretty well.

Pretty sure he will sign with the Rangers (he is in Arlington today touring the ballpark and surrounding area and meeting with Daniels and other Ranger officials) which will mean he will have a very good offense and defense behind him in a weak (other than the Angels) division.

Todd has him projected for the same value as Neftali Feliz - the majority of the value coming from a large number of strikeouts (185 in 200 IP). But there is a real chance he could be much better than that IF he can make all the adjustments - at least the Rangers have Uehara and Tateyama to help him with the cultural acclimation.