Akinori Iwamura, 3B, Tampa Bay Devil Rays

February 22, 2007 @ 16:00:00

By Adam Barricklow
Edited by Ryan Dodson

Third baseman Akinori Iwamura is one of the league's latest Japanese imports after signing a three-year, $7.7 million contract with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Iwamura is expected to start the season as the team's starting third basemen and comes to the league with impressive credentials. Fantasy owners and Devil Rays' fans should take note that success in the Japanese league has not always translated to success in Major League Baseball, and even when it has it most often comes with a bit of a learning curve.

The Tampa Bay Devil Rays outbid the Cleveland Indians, San Diego Padres and the Boston Red Sox for the rights to strike a deal through the posting system with a $4.5 million bid for the rights to Iwamura. A quick look at his career and its highlights show that it could be money very well spent. Iwamura was a five-time All-Star with the Yakult Swallows and has displayed the ability to hit both for average and power. His last three years with the Swallows saw him average 35 home runs and 94 RBI a season while averaging at least a .300 batting average in each of those years. Iwamura has proven to be a solid defensive player, with a strong arm and good glove he was a six-time Gold Glove winner as well. He also has the versatility to play several different positions, including first and second base as well as in the outfield, in addition to adding a left-handed bat to the lineup.

Table: Akinori Iwamura statistics 2004-06

Year	BA	HR	RBI
2004	.300	44	103
2005	.319	30	102
2006	.311	32	77

On paper, Iwamura has the type of credentials to perk the interest of any fantasy owner but owners would be wise to take a cautious approach. Andrew Friedman, Vice President of Baseball Operations for the Tampa Bay Devils Rays, said they don't think that his power will translate quite as well as it did in Japan. This has been a trend with several of the Japanese players as they face better pitchers they are unfamiliar with and larger America ballparks. New York Yankees Outfielder Hideki Matsui averaged 43 home runs per season in his last three years with the Yomiuri Giants, only to record 16 in his first season with the Yankees. Colorado Rockies Kazuo Matsui averaged 31 home runs per season in his last three years with the Seibu Lions and has not recorded more than seven since joining Major League Baseball. The Seattle Mariners Kenji Johjima as well has seen a dip in his home run totals since joining the Mariners hitting 18 last season after averaging 31 the previous three seasons. Even Seattle Mariners Outfielder Ichiro Suzuki, who has been arguably the most successful Japanese import, has failed to duplicate on a consistent basis the numbers he posted with the Orix Blue Wave. This does not mean that fantasy owners should shy away from Iwamura, only that they should not plan on Iwamura being an instant 30-home run bat in their lineup.

Another concern for fantasy owners has to be the Devil Rays ineffective offense. Last season the team ranked dead last in the American League in hits, runs, batting average and on-base percentage. Should the team struggle as they did last season to get men on base, home runs might not be the only number Iwamura struggles with. Current projections have Iwamura batting seventh, behind second baseman Jorge Cantu and in front of catcher Dioner Navarro. Neither Cantu nor Navarro was able to post better than a .250 batting average last season, and should that carry over to 2007 Iwamura will have few opportunities to produce. Should he struggle offensively over an extended period he could find himself battling third basemen B.J. Upton for playing time. Upton is a tremendously talented prospect that has been plagued defensively, and the team will try to work him in the outfield.

As has been demonstrated with other Japanese players power numbers usually take a significant hit in Major League Baseball. Batting average has translated much better, but most Japanese players have seen a dip in those numbers as well. Again, this is not to suggest that Iwamura is not worth a spot on your roster, but that a .300 batting average and 30-home run season is a bit much to expect. If you draft Iwamura, it is important to have a backup plan should he struggle.

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Adam Barricklow

Adam Barricklow is based out of Central Ohio and has been a KFFL Contributor since 2003. Adam has been playing Fantasy Football since 1996 and has been addicted since day one. Adam plays in various leagues, running one of them and uses his experience and knowledge to create reports that are able to help the fantasy player look at every perspective.

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