Ok ... Okajima

[Bases Loaded]

Wow, it looks like we found a diamond in the rough in Okajima so far. Not a word was, or has, been uttered about this import who came along with the Matsuzaka deal. He was "just Dice-K's friend, to have a fellow countryman in the clubhouse." I didn't doubt that, and I don't think anyone else did. In an interview earlier this year, in spring training, when asked about the lack of attention he replied "It's okay, I'm willing to be the hero in the dark." Once I heard that, I knew this guy must have something if he's willing to predict himself a hero. And a hero he may be. With our bullpen looking shaky after Papelbon, and Timlin getting older, what he has done for us (11 games, 10.2 innings, 0.84 ERA, 1 save and 13 K's) has been crucial to our early success. Just want to get your guys' perspective on him, what do you think? Will it last? Does he have what it takes?

[SamBam39]

I don't know. Early results are good. But it is a small sample size. Right now he appears to be a very effective relief pitcher. Once he has made his way through through the league and teams have had a chance to see that unusual delivery for the second time, I think we will have a better idea. But the early season results are darn impressive.

[SlumpBustR]

dhughes.....

Hideki Okijima looks like THE Sleeper out the pen this year for me.....I had been looking for a lot more out of Donnelly and Pineiro starting with ST but not much from Oki

as I stated in another thread, it's nice to see a lefty coming over the top (more a power pitcher than a slurve-baller, side-wheeling type).....add to that he doesn't appear to be a "situational lefty" -- a 1-batter facing & out guy -- he looks like you can bring him in for 3 batters with no sweat

I picked up from somewhere that his "signature" out-pitch in Japan was a 12-8, drop-off-the-table curveball, which the Sox seem to be having him pitch sparingly so far

because we all know what Papelbon brings to the table, if Oki keeps up these good outings, he will be THE story out of the Sox pen this year

[Patriots4ever]

His stuff is filthy, IMO. Aside from the 1st pitch he threw in KC that went for a HR, the guy has been solid ever since. It's good to see that he can close games as well when Pap isn't available. I know it's early yet, but you can't argue the fact that the guy has been money, so far.

I am still impressed by the starting pitching though. I hope they keep eating up innings!

[The Gooch]

I'm worried about overuse, he has 11 appearances so far. What are we, the Yankees?

Everything else about him has been great so far.

[Buckners Boot]

I for one am not to worried about him being "found" out. If you watch him pitch, he simply uses 3 pitches, and he throws them for strikes. He doesn't throw junk and get outs by getting people to chase..he has good breaking stuff. When he crossed up Posada last night, got him to miss a Curve inside...but he was looking for that split change, that confused him 2 pitches before. He uses location and variety to get outs. While his delivery is unorthodox, I don't think its the basis of his success..good breaking stuff, throwing for strikes, and mixing it up has been his MO. We'll see, he does at the least have stones..that can't be denied.

[Buckners Boot]

http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20070428/capt.54e87a29d02e44929ba5e580b5487d10.red_sox_yank ees_baseball_nyjj122.jpg

The release of the split change...all I can say is wow. Thats knowing your location.

Mcadams article about Oki..good read.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?id=2850160

Buck

[#1Patsfan_chica]

So far Oki has been good and I hope he keeps it up.

[oldskool138]

So I guess Theo's "Throw enough crap against the wall and see if any sticks" bullpen mantra has finally worked. Well, you know what they say about the blind squirrel....

That being said, the bullpen has been a strength early on...but that's mostly because the starting rotation has been so good. It's no secret that the '07 Sox are built on starting pitching. I'm just glad that Tito has a reliable bridge to Papelbon. Let's see how the rigors of the season play out on the bullpen before we buy them plane tickets to San Fran.

I'm cautiously optimistic as of April 28th. :)

[Bases Loaded]

http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20070428/capt.54e87a29d02e44929ba5e580b5487d10.red_sox_yank ees_baseball_nyjj122.jpg

The release of the split change...all I can say is wow. Thats knowing your location.

Mcadams article about Oki..good read.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?id=2850160

Buck

Yea, that "hero in the dark" quote stuck with me since he said it (here (http://www.soxplanet.com/forums/showpost.php?p=8579&postcount=12)) and that is a good read. That is something else that he can throw these pitches, for strikes, while looking at the dirt during his delivery. I wanna know who tought that goofy bastard to pitch!!

[Buckners Boot]

It does bode well. Now, he will get bashed around at some point. His skill of throwing strikes, and keeping batters off balance is what will make him effective down the road. He just has filthy stuff, that overhand curve to rightys is just nasty. His split change can work anyone over. He's no Loogy. He is a 1 inning setup guy, who can get anyone out. His delivery helps, but won't be the reason he succeeds. I'm also very pleased no one has been tempted to mess with his mechancs. Add it up though, good breaking stuff, brass stones, throws lots of stirkes, LEFT handed..oh. And dirt cheap..2 years 2.5 million..or about half of what we pay Pineiro.:confused: He can be league average and be worth that money. Taking down the heart of the MFY order is a skill that can't be over rated though..even if it is april.

Buck

[Bases Loaded]

It does bode well. Now, he will get bashed around at some point. His skill of throwing strikes, and keeping batters off balance is what will make him effective down the road. He just has filthy stuff, that overhand curve to rightys is just nasty. His split change can work anyone over. He's no Loogy. He is a 1 inning setup guy, who can get anyone out. His delivery helps, but won't be the reason he succeeds. I'm also very pleased no one has been tempted to mess with his mechancs. Add it up though, good breaking stuff, brass stones, throws lots of stirkes, LEFT handed..oh. And dirt cheap..2 years 2.5 million..or about half of what we pay Pineiro.:confused: He can be league average and be worth that money. Taking down the heart of the MFY order is a skill that can't be over rated though..even if it is april.

Buck

Yeah, I was wondering what must be going through John Farrell's head watching the kid pitch ... I don't think the best pitching instructor could change his mechanics for any good. They are unique as any I have ever seen. And thats a good point you bring up .. he wasn't throwing against some scrubs, almost every time he threw against the MFYs it was against the heart of the order.

Lets go Okie!

[sportman3333333]

This guy is awesome. They put him in the team so that Dice K would feel comfortable and we got a bonus, a quality pitcher and our set-up guy. His stuff is incredible, the curveball and the split change. Farrell or anybody shouldnt mess up his mechanics, it going good right now. "If it aint broken, Dont fix it" Other than his first pitch of the season, he has been damn good ever since.

[Baron Samedi]

I remember hearing about Okajima when the deal was made, and that he was pretty good, but of course, Dice-K rules the attention in the media...which can do nothing but help Okajima.....do we have a knickname for him yet? Please do not say OJ, I'm not using that!

Anyway, every bullpen guy we can find that has real ability is gold right now. We have the starters and the closer....all we need is 2 guys that can fill the bridge to the ninth in close games....Okajima is one.

[sportman3333333]

I remember hearing about Okajima when the deal was made, and that he was pretty good, but of course, Dice-K rules the attention in the media...which can do nothing but help Okajima.....do we have a knickname for him yet? Please do not say OJ, I'm not using that!

Anyway, every bullpen guy we can find that has real ability is gold right now. We have the starters and the closer....all we need is 2 guys that can fill the bridge to the ninth in close games....Okajima is one.

I think Donnelly is going to be the other set-up guy. 7-8-9 inning combo if needed in very close games.

[EverettsTheoryOfEvolution]

O.K. Okajima is gonna be the guy that keeps Paps out of the 8th inning this season (and win that wager for Tilted).

[Mikiemo83]

O.K. Okajima is gonna be the guy that keeps Paps out of the 8th inning this season (and win that wager for Tilted).
yes he is damn it

http://slantmouth.com/articles/restInPeaceMiddleEast/images/menSkirt.jpg

this is what could have been

[SamBam39]

yes he is damn it

http://slantmouth.com/articles/restInPeaceMiddleEast/images/menSkirt.jpg

this is what could have beenGreat!!! :mad:

Mikie pardon my ignorance what is that picture?

[Mikiemo83]

we bet that if Paps pitched the 8th inning and Timlin the 9th because those outs were more important 3 different times that he would wear a dress to work. it has since been revised to a Jimmy fund bet

http://www.soxplanet.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1410&highlight=jimmy+fund

[PatsDVD]

"I'm willing to be a hero in the dark," said Okajima.

http://www.geckoandfly.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/06/spiderman_3_black_costume_trailer.jpg

[sportman3333333]

I am totally excited about him that I picked him up in all of my 4 fantasy teams.

[SamBam39]

The early returns are very encouraging! If he keeps this up it is a heck of a pick up!

[patfan64]

His stuff is filthy, IMO. Aside from the 1st pitch he threw in KC that went for a HR, the guy has been solid ever since. It's good to see that he can close games as well when Pap isn't available. I know it's early yet, but you can't argue the fact that the guy has been money, so far.

I am still impressed by the starting pitching though. I hope they keep eating up innings!

I watched that game and my first thought was "can we send this guy to Pawtucket?"

Glad I was wrong about him (for now anyway.)

[SamBam39]

we bet that if Paps pitched the 8th inning and Timlin the 9th because those outs were more important 3 different times that he would wear a dress to work. it has since been revised to a Jimmy fund bet

http://www.soxplanet.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1410&highlight=jimmy+fund
gotcha. too funny!!! I think the Jimmy Fund bet is better (and safer).

[JD10367]

Okajima. AL Rookie Of the Month for April. The best Red Sox acquisition from Japan. Whoda thunkit?

[bideau]

The Sox have finally found their setup guy.

I keep waiting for the magic to wear off. I hope nobody pinches him because I don't want him to wake up.

It's amusing to see the look on the hitter's faces. They look completely baffled by what he's throwing.

[southcarolina]

The thing that has impressed me the most is that he has been unaffected by the pressure. RedSox - Yankees? No problem. A-Rawd with the go ahead runs on base? No problem. He is exactly what this team needed. If he can even approximate his early season performance for the entire season, he might be the missing link of the pitching staff that makes the RedSox a very very dangerous team this season.