Kobayashi adjusts to facing big-league hitters
Part of the change has been a bigger baseball.
GATEHOUSE NEWS SERVICE
CLEARWATER, Fla. — Masa Kobayashi’s glove has two names stitched in gold near the wrist, Michiko and Miu. They are his wife and 8-year-old daughter, two of the very few familiar things Kobayashi can find in his new workplace.
“My teammates have all been super nice,” Kobayashi said Monday through interpreter Toshi Nagahara after pitching a scoreless fifth inning during Cleveland’s 6-4 spring-training loss to Philadelphia. “That makes it easier for me to make adjustments and enjoy the environment. Everything here is new to me. There are many things I’ve never experienced before.”
Kobayashi hasn’t experienced pitching to major-league hitters before, but seems to be improving with each outing this spring. In his first appearance, he was forced to work out of a bases-loaded, no-out jam. Monday, he walked the leadoff batter, then retired the next three.
In seven spring innings, opponents are batting 5-for-25 (.200) against him. Two of those hits were home runs.
“His fastball has been his best pitch, but he’s been efficient with his slider and thrown some good splits too,” manager Eric Wedge said. “He’s really fit in well and seems to be comfortable.”
The 33-year-old right-hander will need to become comfortable in a new role, working in front of setup man Rafael Betancourt and closer Joe Borowski. Kobayashi has spent his last seven seasons as the closer for the Chiba Lotte Marines. His 227 saves rank third on the Japanese Pacific League’s all-time list.
The role is not the only difference. In fact, even the ball is different. Major-league baseballs are slightly bigger than those used in the Japanese big leagues.
“The texture and size of the ball are different, but I’m doing better with that,” Kobayashi said. “My [split-finger fastball] breaks more here. I didn’t throw it very much back home. Here, it will be one of my main weapons.
“But, I’m more worried about the hitters. There are more power hitters over here. Anybody can hit a home run. That’s the main difference.”
Kobayashi said he has also noticed that major-league hitters tend to react differently to his pitches.
“The hitters here are a little more aggressive,” Kobayashi said. “Guys try to swing hard. I have to keep the ball down.”
The Indians signed Kobayashi to a two-year, $6.25-million contract with a club option for 2010 over the winter.
It was the first time he has been eligible for free agency. His presence gives Cleveland another experienced arm in the bullpen as well as a Plan B if Borowski were to be injured or ineffective.
Kobayashi said the communication with his catchers has gradually gotten better during the spring. Wedge agreed, but said at least one member of the organization needs some work on his Japanese.
“The communication has been really good,” Wedge said, “with the exception of me.”