Is Fukudome a Worthy Fantasy Import?

December 17, 2007 @ 08:17:12

By Danny Dabiri
Edited by Tim Heaney

The Chicago Cubs made a big splash in free agency with the signing of Japanese outfielder Kosuke Fukudome to a four-year, $48 million deal Wednesday, Dec. 12. Fukudome could give the Cubs another outfield weapon to Wrigley Field after posting a .305 career batting average with 192 home runs in nine seasons in Japan's Central League.

Background

Fukudome began his professional career in Japan with the Chunichi Dragons in 1998. From the outset, Fukudome was a good hitter, sporting a .284 batting average and belting 16 home runs in his rookie campaign. Originally a shortstop, Fukudome moved to the outfield early in his career due to a propensity for committing errors in the infield. Over the years, Fukudome developed into a solid right fielder as he won four Golden Glove awards.

Table: Kosuke Fukudome Statistics, Central League, 2005-2007

Year	Team	AB	AVG	HR	RBI	SB
2005	Chunichi	515	.328	28	103	13
2006	Chunichi	496	.351	31	104	11
2007	Chunichi	269	.294	13	48	5

Fukudome enjoyed his most successful season in 2006, batting .351 with 31 homers and 104 RBI to earn the Central League Most Valuable Player Award. Fukudome is a complete player that hits for power and average, and he possesses speed and a strong arm in the outfield. He also had a .397 on-base percentage in nine seasons. Fukudome missed a good portion of the 2007 season after undergoing surgery to remove bone chips from his right elbow, but he is expected to be ready for spring training.

Heading to the States

The Cubs expect Fukudome to make the same kind of impact that two fellow Japanese stars - Seattle Mariners outfielder Ichiro Suzuki and New York Yankees outfielder Hideki Matsui have made for their respective clubs. Fukudome has the ability to get on base and hit for average like Ichiro and possesses the home run power of Matsui. His left-handed bat will be pivotal in complementing the right-handed bats of outfielder Alfonso Soriano, first baseman Derrek Lee and third baseman Aramis Ramirez in the Chicago lineup. Fukudome is expected to bat anywhere from second to fifth in the batting order.

Fantasy Outlook

Fukudome's fantasy value will depend upon how he adjusts to the major league game and how he heals from his surgery. He should enter the season as the starting right fielder and have plenty of run-producing opportunities in the top of the Cubs lineup. Japanese outfielders who have come stateside have not disappointed, but Fukudome's health could determine his immediate value.

Fukudome could post a high on-base percentage and is capable of having a 20-homer, 100-RBI season. Fantasy owners should consider Fukudome as a solid No. 2 or No. 3 outfielder to be taken in the middle part of most drafts.

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Danny Dabiri
Danny has been with KFFL since 2007.

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