Kenji Johjima Thread

[Edgartohof]

It's about time that our new #1 Catcher Kenji Johjima gets his own thread - heck, he deserved it after his Opening Day HR, or his HR the next day as well.

This past offseason, there was a lot of speculation about our new catcher, about how he would communicate, how he would do coming off of an injury (broken tibia?), coming to a new country, new league, new pitchers. Well, the season may be early, but he is off to a pretty good start.

In his first 10 games, he is:

11-33
5 Runs
3 doubles
2 HR's
10 RBI
3 BB
20 TB
.333/.421/.606

And a few of his hits were big hits, such as his HR's in the first two games of the season, or the 2 and 3 RBI doubles the last two games.

So I have created this thread for discussion of Kenji Johjima - so have at it.

[leecemark]

--Kenji has impressed the hell out of me both offensively and defensively. Not only has he put up the numbers, but he has made several heads up, hustle plays (coming up to cut off the throw to the plate last night (or was that Thursday) and gunning down the runner at 3rd was sweet. He sure looks like an All Star to me.

[Edgartohof]

--Kenji has impressed the hell out of me both offensively and defensively. Not only has he put up the numbers, but he has made several heads up, hustle plays (coming up to cut off the throw to the plate last night (or was that Thursday) and gunning down the runner at 3rd was sweet. He sure looks like an All Star to me.

I don't remember who said it, but someone in another thread threw out the possibility of MVP. Now as with anything said this early in the season, you need to be wary, but if he can 1.) keep up some semblance of what he has been, and 2.) the team plays at or near .500 (or above), then that is a legitimate possibility. There is history to back it up - I mean Ichiro won it his first year in, coming over from Japan. To have a catcher come over, and to have to deal with everything they have to deal with, and be great both offensively and defensively, getting some votes for MVP wouldn't be out of the question. And since he is a "rookie" (whether you like looking at it that way or not), he has a great shot at the ROY award (though technically, he is a veteran catcher, who has been playing professionally for nearly 10 years).

[Rennie Stennett]

For a guy who's been Catching steady for over ten (10) years he shows alot of mobility and flexibility behind the plate. A good athletic catcher, who's quick as a cat. My buddy says Kenji is a sucker for the outside pitch. What I"ve seen is a guy who's a fundamentally sound hitter, who goes up the middle and drives the ball to right. A situational hitter that we in the States are not used to seeing in the steroid world. With only four (4) strike outs in 33 AB's, he's a contact guy with runners on base and if you try to bust'em inside he can turn on one.


Full Name: Kenji Johjima
Born: 06/08/1976
Birthplace: Sasebo, Japan
Height: 6'0" Weight: 200
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
College: N/A
MLB Debut: 04/03/2006

AB R H HR RBI BB SO SB AVG
33 5 11 2 10 3 4 0 .333

Kenji (ken-jee) Johjima (joe-jee-mah)...resides in Sasebo, Japan with his wife Maki, son Yuta (4) and daughter Miu (2)...attended Beppudai Fuzoku High School...first Japanese catcher to play in the Major Leagues...in 2000, a museum named in his honor opened in his hometown of Sasebo

1994 Highlights:
Selected in the first round of the Japanese Draft by Daiei Hawks

1995 Highlights:
Began his professional career...called up to the majors and made his Japanese League debut, playing in 12 games for Fukuoka

1996 Highlights:
Playing in the Western League, set a league record with 25 homers...also led the league with 63 RBI...became the second player in Western League history to hit grand slams in consecutive at-bats on July 4...saw action in 17 games for the Hawks.

1997 highlights:
Became Hawks' starting catcher, playing in 120 games...batted .308 as a rookie, becoming the youngest rookie ever voted as a Japanese League All-Star starter (21 years, 45 days)


1998 Highlights:
Batted .251 in his second year in the Japan League

1999 Highlights:
Named to the Pacific League's "Best Nine" for the first time as Fukuoka won the Japanese Series and the Pacific League championship...hit .306 with 33 double and 17 home runs...third in the league in batting average (behind Ichiro and Kazuo Matsui)...third in doubles...won his first Gold Glove
opened in his hometown of Sasebo.

2000 Highlights:
Batted .310, again earning "Best Nine" honors...an All-Star while winning another Gold Glove...swiped a career-best 10 bases

2001 Highlights:
Cracked 31 home runs and collected 95 RBI...again named to "Best Nine", selected to All-Star team and won third consecutive Gold Glove...played a career-high 140 games...homered twice in same inning on April 13

2002 Highlights:
Won fourth consecutive Gold Glove...batted .293

2003 highlights:
Helping lead the Hawks to another Pacific League championship, was named Pacific League's Most Valuable Player...batted .330 and hit 34 home runs...posted career highs of 101 runs, 182 hits, 39 doubles, 119 RBI , 53 walks, .655 slugging percentage and .432 on-base clip...tied his career high of 140 games played...won fifth straight Gold Glove, made his fourth "Best Nine" and sixth All-Star squad...led the Pacific League in total bases, second in hits, RBI, doubles and third in home runs...third in runs...had six hits on July 27.

2004 Highlights:

Missed part of the Japan League season while playing in the Olympics...still managed career-highs of .338 (144x426) and 36 home runs...was hit by a pitch 22 times, breaking Ichiro's previous Pacific League mark of 18...homered, doubled twice and had four RBI to lead Japan to 11-2 win over Canada for the bronze medal...ranked fifth among Olympians with a .378 batting average.

2005
Despite an injury-shortened season, batted .309 (127x411) with 24 home runs and 57 RBI over 116 games...Broke the tibia in his left leg on Sept. 22 and missed the reminder of the season...missed two weeks earlier in the campaign due to a sore right shoulder...Named to the Pacific League's "Best Nine" for the sixth time and also won his seventh Gold Glove...Cracked a career-best four triples...struck out only 32 times...Ranked sixth in the Pacific League in slugging and on-base percentage

UnsignedKenji Johjima
2 : Catcher : Seattle Mariners
Kenji Johjima (Catcher)
DOB Jun. 8, 1976 AGE 29 BIRTH PLACE Nagasaki
HEIGHT 6-0 WEIGHT 198 lbs BATS- THROWS Right -Right
Year Team AVG HR RBI AB H BB SB
1995 Daiei Hawks .167 0 1 12 2 - 0
1996 Daiei Hawks .241 4 9 58 14 - 1
1997 Daiei Hawks .308 15 68 432 133 - 6
1998 Daiei Hawks .251 16 58 395 99 - 5
1999 Daiei Hawks .306 17 77 493 151 - 6
2000 Daiei Hawks .310 9 50 303 94 - 10
2001 Daiei Hawks .258 25 74 534 138 - 9
2002 Daiei Hawks .293 25 74 416 122 - 8
2003 Daiei Hawks .330 34 119 551 182 - 9
2004 Daiei Hawks .338 36 91 426 144 49 6
2005 Fukuoka Softbank Hawks .309 24 57 411 127 3

[Honus Wagner Rules]

It's about time that our new #1 Catcher Kenji Johjima gets his own thread - heck, he deserved it after his Opening Day HR, or his HR the next day as well.

This past offseason, there was a lot of speculation about our new catcher, about how he would communicate, how he would do coming off of an injury (broken tibia?), coming to a new country, new league, new pitchers. Well, the season may be early, but he is off to a pretty good start.

In his first 10 games, he is:

11-33
5 Runs
3 doubles
2 HR's
10 RBI
3 BB
20 TB
.333/.421/.606

And a few of his hits were big hits, such as his HR's in the first two games of the season, or the 2 and 3 RBI doubles the last two games.

So I have created this thread for discussion of Kenji Johjima - so have at it.
Go Johjima-san! Go Johjima-san! Go Johjima-san!

His success will only give me and Jim Albright more ammo in our Japan baseball is "major" league debates! :laugh

[RedSoxVT92]

I dont think Kenji Johjima will win MVP. But he could easily get on to the A.L. all star team and win the Rookie of the Year award. Kenji looks like a real good catcher, Seattle seems to have an eye for signing good Japenese players.

[jalbright]

Go Johjima-san! Go Johjima-san! Go Johjima-san!

His success will only give me and Jim Albright more ammo in our Japan baseball is "major" league debates! :laugh

In one sense, yes, but if we get bogged down in small samples, we lose time in making our case, and make ourselves more vulnerable to fighting an endless series of brush fires. I want to focus more on the big picture. However, I think my projections of MLB equivalents have been rather successful, and are most helpful in the big picture debate--and I said Kenji could hit. I don't want to have him fail and have that thrown in my face constantly.

BTW, I would be most careful about the terminology used above--somebody's apt to misinterpret it to think you're saying that the Japanese leagues are the equals of the majors, and then you have to clear up that misunderstanding before you can get to the task of persuading someone of our case. It's a pain in the butt, but since we're trying to change the status quo, that's the way it is. Just trying to help an ally, nothing more.

Also, the mere success of Japanese players helps make our case for us. On that score, I could not be more pleased with his start.

Jim Albright

[Honus Wagner Rules]

In one sense, yes, but if we get bogged down in small samples, we lose time in making our case, and make ourselves more vulnerable to fighting an endless series of brush fires. I want to focus more on the big picture. However, I think my projections of MLB equivalents have been rather successful, and are most helpful in the big picture debate--and I said Kenji could hit. I don't want to have him fail and have that thrown in my face constantly.

BTW, I would be most careful about the terminology used above--somebody's apt to misinterpret it to think you're saying that the Japanese leagues are the equals of the majors, and then you have to clear up that misunderstanding before you can get to the task of persuading someone of our case. It's a pain in the butt, but since we're trying to change the status quo, that's the way it is. Just trying to help an ally, nothing more.

Also, the mere success of Japanese players helps make our case for us. On that score, I could not be more pleased with his start.

Jim Albright
Jim,

Just to make myself clear. By "major league" I meant in structure and not in quality. The Japan Leagues are not now or ever been on par with the AL and NL in terms of depth nor quality. If they were to dump their limit on foreign players then who knows...

[jalbright]

Jim,

Just to make myself clear. By "major league" I meant in structure and not in quality. The Japan Leagues are not now or ever been on par wtth the AL and NL in terms of depth nor quality. If they were to dump their limit on foreign players then who knows...

I knew you didn't mean it quite the way it looked. The problem is, those who disagree with our point aren't likely to--and we don't need to dig ourselves out of holes of our own making when we're in these discussions. It's a hard enough job without that. Certainly, the Japanese leagues would be able to come much closer in quality if they dropped the rule you're talking about and really worked much harder on the player development side--they really only have one level of minor league below them, so they make it harder to develop the talent they do have.

Jim Albright

[Honus Wagner Rules]

I knew you didn't mean it quite the way it looked. The problem is, those who disagree with our point aren't likely to--and we don't need to dig ourselves out of holes of our own making when we're in these discussions. It's a hard enough job without that. Certainly, the Japanese leagues would be able to come much closer in quality if they dropped the rule you're talking about and really worked much harder on the player development side--they really only have one level of minor league below them, so they make it harder to develop the talent they do have.

Jim Albright
If they were to drop their limit on foreigners it would increase the quality quite a bit I would think. The situation might be something like the NFL vs AFL in the 1960s. When Joe Namath signed with the AFL and not the NFL that sent shockwaves through the NFL establishment. If, for instance, some one like Albert Pujols were to suddenly go to Japan as a FA that might encourage younger players to pursue Japan as a viable avenue to play baseball when they become FAs. I'm surprised the Japanese Leagues haven't tried to pursue the elite FAs. Was Bob Horner just a unique case? How did Alfonso Soeiano end up in Japan as a young prospect?

[Honus Wagner Rules]

In one sense, yes, but if we get bogged down in small samples, we lose time in making our case, and make ourselves more vulnerable to fighting an endless series of brush fires. I want to focus more on the big picture. However, I think my projections of MLB equivalents have been rather successful, and are most helpful in the big picture debate--and I said Kenji could hit. I don't want to have him fail and have that thrown in my face constantly.

BTW, I would be most careful about the terminology used above--somebody's apt to misinterpret it to think you're saying that the Japanese leagues are the equals of the majors, and then you have to clear up that misunderstanding before you can get to the task of persuading someone of our case. It's a pain in the butt, but since we're trying to change the status quo, that's the way it is. Just trying to help an ally, nothing more.

Also, the mere success of Japanese players helps make our case for us. On that score, I could not be more pleased with his start.

Jim Albright
Jim,

Yes, one player's stats don't really mean much. But I know our opponents would use Johjima's potential struggles as "proof" that Japanese baseball is vastly inferior. Of course if he were to succeed they's just argue that one player's stats don't mean much. :rolleyes:

[leecemark]

--The payscale would have to go up significantly for the Japanese Leagues to compete with MLB for top talent, regardless of whether they lifted the limitations on foreign players. The guys they are signing to meet their current quotas are basically players whose careers have gone wrong in the U.S. - and they still have to pay a premium to get them.

[SABR Matt]

The WBC isn't total proof of anything...but I would have hoped it would give some people who think the NPB is that inferior pause.

[Honus Wagner Rules]

--The payscale would have to go up significantly for the Japanese Leagues to compete with MLB for top talent, regardless of whether they lifted the limitations on foreign players. The guys they are signing to meet their current quotas are basically players whose careers have gone wrong in the U.S. - and they still have to pay a premium to get them.
Yes, but since the Japanese teams are all owned by major corporations I have no doubt they can afford to pay Pujols whatever he wants. The corporations simple choose not to. Bringing in some high priced player like Pujols would only increase the desire of the Japanese players for a higher salary as well. When Bob Horner went to Japan in 1987 he got a salary comparable to the major leagues at that time.

[jalbright]

--The payscale would have to go up significantly for the Japanese Leagues to compete with MLB for top talent, regardless of whether they lifted the limitations on foreign players. The guys they are signing to meet their current quotas are basically players whose careers have gone wrong in the U.S. - and they still have to pay a premium to get them.

Actually, where they could compete is for young talent in the Caribbean, if they're willing to put the effort into developing it. Even if the majors and Japan competed for talent there, they could both still get talent fairly cheaply--and the kids in those impoverished places would get fairer treatment. But it doesn't make much sense for the Japanese to put the effort into such development if they can only have such a limited number of foreigners on the rosters.

Jim Albright

[jalbright]

Yes, but since the Japanese teams are all owned by major corporations I have no doubt they can afford to pay Pujols whatever he wants. The corporations simple choose not to. Bringing in some high priced player like Pujols would only increase the desire of the Japanese players for a higher salary as well. When Bob Horner went to Japan in 1987 he got a salary comparable to the major leagues at that time.
In fairness, a lot of those corporations aren't in the greatest of financial health, and Japanese baseball isn't a huge cash cow. They probably could afford some more salary, but not a bidding war with the majors. That's one outcome neither the majors nor the Japanese leagues want, and they're probably right that such a course would be bad for both. With that reality, the Japanese teams would be better off developing talent and scouting for minor leaguers/fringe major league players whose careers are stalled in their present circumstances but who would be productive in Japan.

Jim Albright

[Mariner Fan]

The difference between the last couple of years and now is that the Mariners are actually fun to watch. Kenji is a huge part of that.

[Rennie Stennett]

Kenji is Catching great. He's solid, quick, durable, he's got a strong, accurate arm and he's playing every day. He's not fast but he's quick. His footwork is excellent. Jojima is not trying too do much at the plate; just make good contact and try to hit it somewhere. He also leads the league in HBP. :eek:

http://www.sanspo.com/mlb/top/mt200604/mt2006042801.html

[Seattle1]

http://www.sanspo.com/mlb/top/mt200604/mt2006042801.html

Whew! That was hard to read! ;)

[ichiro262]

haha...yeah it was

[Rennie Stennett]

Kenji Johjima went (4) for (5), with (2) dingers, (4) RBI's, and he scored (2) runs.

Johjima is hitting (.290) with (8) HR's and (34) RBI's. He's doing a great job learning Spanish and English, working with the pitchers and playing everday.

[Rennie Stennett]

Whew! That was hard to read! ;)

yep...hehe...

[Rennie Stennett]

Kenji has been crushing the ball all over the yard as of late. He's got like a 11 game hit streak and is hitting close to (.300) now. He got one of Seattle's five hits in their 2-0 loss to the Rockies friday. He's plays hard all the time. He was P.O.'ed that Grover put a pinch runner in for him, when Kenji was on third in the ninth, with a tie ballgame on Thursday against the D-Backs. You love to see this fire in a guy. This is a questionable move taking your catcher out of the game when he's on third base, in a tie ballgame. The move worked, as Betancourt hit a go ahead single. The M's carry two catchers, and I think Bloomquist could put the gear on, if needed.

[Rennie Stennett]

420 (AB) 14 (HR) .295 (AVG) 60 (RBI) 50 (RUNS) 2 (SB) 9 (HBP)

I wish the M's would let Johjima call the games. He's done a great job learning the hitters and learning the opposition pitchers, as well as some spanish and english. It's plenty to throw at a guy in his first year in the bigs.

[Rennie Stennett]

Year..Team..G..AB....R...H..HR..RBI..BB..SO..SB..C S..OBP..SLG..AVG
2006...SEA 144 506 61 147 18 76... 20. 46... 3... 1 .332 .451 .291


Kenji lead the team in HBP with (13)

As reported by Edgartohof, Kenji Johjima also set the all-time AL record for hits by a rookie catcher (147)! He was given a big standing ovation, which delayed the game for a minute or so.

http://www.baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=19524

[Rennie Stennett]

Edgartohof reports:

http://www.baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=53570

http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/NASA...=.jsp&c_id=sea

[Rennie Stennett]

Ladies and Gentlemen you heard it here first: Kenji Johjima will hit more than THIRTY Home Runs this year. Come September, I want you all to remember I said that ~tearforamariner

http://www.baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=57065&highlight=kenji

In 2003, Kenji hit 330/.399/.593 with 39 doubles, 34 homers, 119 RBI and 101 runs.

One for King Felix is pretty bold.

[tearforamariner]

Ladies and Gentlemen you heard it here first: Kenji Johjima will hit more than THIRTY Home Runs this year. Come September, I want you all to remember I said that ~tearforamariner

http://www.baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=57065&highlight=kenji

In 2003, Kenji hit 330/.399/.593 with 39 doubles, 34 homers, 119 RBI and 101 runs.

One for King Felix is pretty bold.


I completely stand by my prediction. I truly believe that Kenji can hit 30. Again, I'm probably just a lunatic homer, but hey, why not?

Yeah, King Felix hitting one probably won't happen.

[Rennie Stennett]

I completely stand by my prediction. I truly believe that Kenji can hit 30. Again, I'm probably just a lunatic homer, but hey, why not?


He's done it before. One year in the AL under his belt. He's got good power up the middle and the other way. He doesn't try to do too much. He can pull the ball and go with the pitch.

[Rennie Stennett]

I completely stand by my prediction. I truly believe that Kenji can hit 30. Again, I'm probably just a lunatic homer, but hey, why not?

Kenji has enough AB's now to lead the AL in Average. He went 0-4 Tuesday, but is still hitting (.400) .

I'm a lunatic homer, myself.

[Wade8813]

I'm a lunatic homer, myself. I like to think I'm an only slightly off-balanced homer... :crazy :waving

[Seattle1]

Kenji has enough AB's now to lead the AL in Average.

I believe he's actually leading the entire MLB. :happy:

[Rennie Stennett]

I believe he's actually leading the entire MLB. :happy:

You are correct sir. 2-4 last night. Kenji now hitting (.414).

[Rennie Stennett]

The following from seattle marinerds.com

Johjima started in 1072 total games.

Overall:
--------
Lineup spot:
3rd : 38
4th : 35
5th : 443
6th : 360
7th : 105
8th : 88
9th : 3

Position starts:
C : 1039
1B : 11
DH : 22

1995: (2 starts)
------------------------
C : 2

8th : 2

1996: (15 starts)
------------------------
C : 15

7th : 2
8th : 13

1997: (116 starts)
------------------------
C : 111
1B : 5

3rd : 3
5th : 10
6th : 73
7th : 8
8th : 22

1998: (107 starts)
------------------------
C : 103
1B : 2
DH : 2

3rd : 2
4th : 14
5th : 22
6th : 41
7th : 19
8th : 9

1999: (135 starts)
------------------------
C : 135

4th : 2
5th : 54
6th : 36
7th : 15
8th : 25
9th : 3

2000: (80 starts)
------------------------
C : 74
DH : 6

3rd : 23
5th : 7
6th : 35
7th : 15

2001: (140 starts)
------------------------
C : 140

5th : 10
6th : 89
7th : 25
8th : 16

2002: (113 starts)
------------------------
C : 98
1B : 2
DH : 13

3rd : 10
5th : 1
6th : 83
7th : 18
8th : 1

2003: (140 starts)
------------------------
C : 140

4th : 11
5th : 126
7th : 3

2004: (114 starts)
------------------------
C : 114

4th : 4
5th : 110

2005: (110 starts)
------------------------
C : 107
1B : 2
DH : 1

4th : 4
5th : 103
6th : 3

http://marinerds.com/lineups/johjima_lineup.txt