[cpredsox]

Age: 22
Born: June 6, 1986
Yokohama, Japan
Height: 6-0
Weight: 175
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Drafted: Not drafted
How Acquired: International free agent (Dec. 2008)
High School: Yokohama Shoka (JP)
ETA: late-2010

sox prospects link

He did well in his first two appearances against BC & Northeastern. 3 innings 4k's so far now I think with no walks.

[cpredsox]

Quote

Portland, Maine- Portland Sea Dogs' right-handed pitcher Junichi Tazawa has been named the Sea Dogs' Opening Day starter. The Sea Dogs open the 2009 season on Thursday, April 9th at 6:00 PM at Hadlock Field against the Connecticut Defenders (Giants) The 22 year-old Tazawa will be making his professional debut. Tazawa was signed by the Boston Red Sox as an amateur free agent on December 11, 2008. He joins the Red Sox organization after a four-year amateur career with the Nippon Oil ENEOS of the Japan Industrial League. Tazawa posted a 13-1 record with five saves and 0.80 ERA (10 ER/ 113 IP) in 21 games (11 starts) in 2008. He recorded 114 strikeouts and walked 15 over 113.0 innings pitched, an average of 9.1 strikeouts per nine innings. He established amateur career highs in nearly every category in 2008 including games (210, starts (11), complete games (6), shutouts (4), innings (113.0), and strikeouts (114).

Link

[cpredsox]

Quote

Tazawa, 22, the new Boston Red Sox pitching prospect from Japan, took the loss Thursday night in the Connecticut Defenders' 3-0 victory over Portland in the opener at Hadlock Field.

Tazawa put in an impressive five innings, allowing four hits, one walk and one run, striking out seven.

He showed off his publicized control with 44 strikes among his 66 pitches.

"He didn't give in. He wasn't afraid to go right at them," Sea Dogs pitching coach Mike Cather said. "It's been consistent with what we've seen in spring training. He attacked with his fastball and established his curveball as his out pitch."

[cpredsox]

Second start for Portland: Tazawa (W, 1-1)- 6.0, 4H, ER, 3-2 K/BB, 6-8 GO/FO, HRA, WP