The Boston Red Sox have signed Japanese submarine pitcher Shunsuke Watanabe to a minor-league deal, according to a press release by the team.
While signing a Japanese player is not uncommon, signing one that pitches the way he does isn’t common:
According to the press release:
Watanabe, 37, has spent his entire 13-year career (2001-13) with the Chiba Lotte Marines in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball league. Primarily a starter, the submarine-style pitcher has posted a career record of 87-82 with a 3.65 ERA (640 ER/1578.1 IP), and 846 strikeouts in 255 games (240 starts).
When he does report to camp, Watanabe will work as a reliever, as opposed to a starter.
Here’s what the Twitter world is saying about him:
While it’s tough to say whether or not Watanabe will earn a spot in the bullpen, his pitching style will give fans something to come see during spring training.
And if he can prove himself in spring training and in the minors, there’s no reason to believe he won’t be with the Red Sox by midseason.
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