Orioles: Koji in the rear view
There was so much going on yesterday that we really didn't have time to break down Koji Uehara's strong performance against a very good Dominican WBC lineup. Uehara (right) told the Japanese reporters that he went into the game intent on establishing his fastball inside against the predominantly right-handed lineup.
That would seem like a dangerous mission when your fastball was topping out at 89 miles per hour, but his combination of two-seam fastballs and splitters had the Dominican team off balance for three innings. He was particularly pleased with the number of batters he was able to jam.
Here are the reasons why Koji figures to have success in the major leagues, particularly during the first half of the regular season. He has terrific command inside the strike zone. He is fearless. And he is going to be a mystery to hitters his first time through the league.
Quick injury update: Rich Hill said he continues to feel better, but he will not throw today, which means that he obviously won't be pitching in an exhibition game this weekend. He was expected to play catch today, but the coaching staff is going to hold him back a little longer. He characterized his sore elbow as "95 percent."
Associated Press photo
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Comments
That is a good thing he is fearless, seems to know the art of pitching, which no radar gun can judge. Maybe this will help other soft throwers in the future, with scouts that judge everything by the number display of their Stalker. Good news that Hill is feeling 95%.
Pete, Has Eaton been throwing at all before he was signed by the O's?
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Pete's reply: Trembley said the last time he threw was a bullpen session last Wednesday.
Posted by: cb coach | March 5, 2009 10:21 AM
I do not think Koji's credentials are sufficiently appreciated. Currently,he may be the most accomplished,knowledgeable polished right hander in the world! By the way, do you interact with the Japanese reporters? What is there take on Koji, publicly and privately overall... Do they think he is over the hill? How do they project his Oriole experience? Do they believe he shoul have been included on the Japanese WBC roster?
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Pete's reply: The Japanese media seems to like him and he has gotten along with them. I think they believe he can be successful, but they are waiting and watching like the rest of us.
Posted by: stevO's | March 5, 2009 11:35 AM