When import pitcher Kenshin Kawakami worked out for the first time with the Atlanta Braves last weekend in Florida, he received a lot of attention from onlookers, and at least one important observer was reasonably impressed. Atlanta manager Bobby Cox said Kawakami “has outstanding control. He doesn’t walk anybody.”
The 33-year-old right-hander did uncork a wild pitch that sailed out of the bullpen in front of about 20 members of the Japanese media, but Cox didn’t seem concerned. “If he’s as good as the videotape,” he said, “we’ve got a real pitcher. They never got a ball out of the infield.” When asked who created the video, Cox smiled and said, “His agent.”
In Japan, Kawakami was the Central League Rookie of the Year in 1998 pitching for Chunichi. He went 17-7 in 2004 for the pennant-winning Dragons, earning the Central League’s MVP honors and the Sawamura Award as Japan’s best pitcher. He went 9-5 with a 2.30 ERA for Chunichi last year before signing a three-year deal for the Braves in January as a free agent.
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