Quote:
Originally posted by KILLERBS24
I think Kaz is a good player and he is very good for what he does, but the reason I say he isn't a top tier SS, and he isn't, is because good fielding, good contact, good running is not what will put a guy in the top level in MLB today. The top guys play decent defense, hit for a great average, and hit for good power, Matsui plays the game like it used to be played, and unfortunately the game isn't like that anymore. The days of speed and defense have been replaced with 30HRs and 100 k's speed and defense not necessary He'll be prolly be 6th or 7th ish as far as SS go which is very good but he wont be at the very top. I guess to the Mets fans compared to the old days of Rey Ordonez he prolly will seem like Nomar.
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I'll have to agree that in terms of raw power, there is almost no way Kaz can compare up to ARod. But even though fans cheer for HR's and K's nowadays, there is still no doubt that speed and defence makes the game of baseball what it is today. Kaz was a two time MVP in Japan and we have seen what past Japanese MVP players can do in the MLB. Even though Hideki Matsui saw his HR #'s dropped he was still a dangerous hitter (patience and 100+ RBI) considering it was only his first year.
I dont think we should view the Japanese players the way we do with players from the West. As Japanese players bring to MLB a totally different face to game with their discipline and style. (They are relatively loyal, and cheap too)
Kaz, in a different point of view, can be a greater player than ARod for what he will bring to the game of baseball in America.