Shinataro Fujinami is expected to be a key member of Athletics’ starting rotation
A’s expect Fujinami to be key contributor in 2023 rotation Original publication: NBC Sports Bayarea
Shinataro Fujinami, the Athletics’ newest flamethrowing right-handed pitcher, made sure to etch his preferred nickname in stone during his introductory press conference in Oakland.
“I’m Shintaro Fujinami,” he said Tuesday. “Please call me Fuji, like Mount Fuji.”
Fujinami, who has spent the past 10 years in Japan with the Hanshin Tigers, officially became an official Fujinami. signed a one-year deal worth $3.25 million with the A’s on Tuesday. Fujinami is expected to be a key contributor to Oakland’s rotation next summer.
“It was important for him to have a chance to be a starter,” general manager David Forst said. “That’s how we’ve seen him perform. I expect he’ll be in the rotation.”
Oakland’s starting rotation ranked in the bottom-third of MLB in terms of ERA, WHIP and opponent batting average last season. But the A’s organization features promising young arms such as left-handers Ken Waldichuk and Kyle MullerBoth were acquired by trades in the last year. They will be key players in the 2023 rotation.
“Obviously, we have a lot of questions to be answered about our rotation overall,” Forst said. “But with his track record, and the way he pitched down the stretch for Hanshin, we know he’ll be an important part of our rotation.”
“What we lack in experience we have in talent, we believe, coming up,” manager Mark Kotsay said. “[Fujinami] has got 10 years of major league experience in Japan.”
Fujinami had a 3.41 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, and 1,011 strikes in 189 games over 10 seasons with Hanshin. Fujinami boasts a fastball capable of reaching 100 mph, along with a splitter & sharp slider.
Fujinami will now be playing in the AL West, which is the same division that Los Angeles Angels superstar Angels player. Shohei Ohtani resides. Fujinami was a member of the same draft class that graduated from high school in Japan. Ohtani was also part of it.
Fujinami expressed excitement about playing against Ohtani, saying “There’s no question about it, there’s no doubt that it,” “We’re both the same age. He’s a world-class player, evidently. It will be exciting for the Japanese fans to see us play against one another.”
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Fujinami won’t have to wait to join his fellow Japanese star on the big league field, as the A’s and Angels Open the 2023 MLB Season with a 3-game series at Oakland Coliseum
First, though, Fujinami will report to spring training in Mesa, Ariz., alongside A’s pitchers and catchers Feb. 15.