 This year, the rules concerning
foreign players has been loosened to allow each team four
gaijin -- two imported pitchers and two position players.
Teams can also carry an unlimited number of foreigners on
their minor league rosters. Consequently, there will be
more familiar faces in Japanese ballparks than at any
time in the past.
Mark Acre: (Swallows) Hard throwing former member of the Oakland
A's bullpen, Acre had been groomed as the eventual
replacement for Dennis Eckersley, but couldn't settle
down when given his chance in the big leagues.
James
Bonnici: (BlueWave)
With both Troy Neel and Chris Donnels filling the two
foreign batter positions, Bonnicci didn't get much
playing time on the BlueWave varsity team in 1997. But on
the franchise's minor league squad, he earned the Western
League tripple crown with a .338 average, 15 home runs
and 58 RBIs. In 1998, the right-handed infielder will be
competing with Donnels and former Colorado Rockies
slugger Harvey Pulliam for a spot on the top team.
Terry Bross: (Lions) In
his first year in Japan, former college basketball center
Terry Bross pitched a no-hitter while compiling a CL-best
2.33 ERA  and leading the Swallows to a Japan Series
championship. But the last two years, the former Mets and
Giants farm hand has struggled to pitch his own game.
Though released by the Swallows after a mediocre 1997
outing, Bross was courted by several teams and eventually
signed with the Seibu Lions.
Jerry
Brooks: (Fighters)
Though less successful than teammate Nigel Wilson, 31-year
old left fielder Jerry Brooks had a pretty good
"rookie" season in Japan. Batting .277 with
sixteen homers, the good-natured right-hander clubbed
sixteen homers with 27 doubles and 63 RBIs. A former
Dodgers and Marlins utility player, Brooks has tried to
fit in with his new teammates, picking up batting
practice balls (as players often do in Japan) and taking
advice from veterans like Hiromitsu Ochiai.
Giovanni
Carrara: (Lions)
Slated to fill the fifth or sixth-starter role on the
Lions pitching staff, 30-year old Giovanni Carrara has
compiled a 3-6 record in two Major League seasons with
the Cincinnati Reds.
Mark
Carreon: (Marines)
A former outfielder with the Mets, Tigers, Giants and
Indians, Carreon had a turbulent first season with the
Marines. Admitting that his performance was "decent,
not great," Carreon clashed with the team's
management. Accused of jaking it, the left-hander
eventually received a hefty fine for failing to show up
to a game. Since the team would have to pay off his two
year contract either way, by the end of the season,
Carreon was practically daring Lotte to fire him.
Sung
Min Cho: (Giants)
After spending a year on the Yomiuri farm team, Korean
hurler Cho was promoted to the varsity squad in 1997,
where he pitched 28 innings in relief, compiling a 1-2
record with eleven saves, 30 strikeouts, 13 walks and a
2.89 ERA.
Phil
Clark: (Buffaloes)
One of the top players in Japan, foreign or otherwise,
Phil Clark's late season surge nearly earned him the 1997
PL batting title. Instead, he finished the season batting
.331 with 23 home runs and 93 RBIs. Though never given
much of a chance at the Major League level, Clark played
in the Tigers, Padres and Red Sox organizations before
coming to Japan.
Joe
Crawford: (Marines)
Playing with the New York Mets in 1997, Crawford posted a
4-3 record in with a 3.30 ERA, 25 strikeouts and 13 walks
in 46 innings. The 28 year old lefty got off to a good
pre-season start with the Marines.
Doug
Creek: (Tigers) A
29-year old lefty, Doug Creek earned a 1-2 record with a
6.75 ERA, 14 strikeouts and 14 walks in 13 1/3 innings
with the San Francisco Giants in 1997. Since his 1995
debut with the St. Louis Cardinals, he has compiled in
1-4 career record in 72 games.
Scott
Davison: (Marines)
One of the last foreign players signed before the start
of the regular season, Davison played briefly with the
Marines and Padres before coming to Japan. The 27-year
old right hander is expected to work as a middle reliever
and closer.
Shane
Dennis: (Marines):
Though he had an outstanding year with the AAA Memphis
Chicks in 1996 (9-1, 2.27 ERA, 131 strikeouts in 115
innings), Dennis had trouble adapting to life at Marine
Stadium. The left-handed hurler went 0-3 with a 5.45 ERA.
But at least he was invited back, a fate that did not
fall on some of his foreign teammates.
Travis Driskill: (Swallows) One of the top pitchers for the AAA
Buffalo Bisons, Driskill helped lead them to a 1997
championship. He throws hard and has been reliable in the
past, but got pounded in his first pre-season start with
Yakult. Unless he gets his heat under control, Risky
Driskie may not be around very long.
Chris
Donnels: (BlueWave)
Released by the Buffaloes after a productive 1996 season
(.281 with 20 home runs), third baseman Donnels joined
the BlueWave the following year and earned his keep with
a .302 average, 17 homers and 67 RBIs. A part time with
the Mets, Astros and Red Sox, Donnels complied a .238
Major League average from 1991-1995.
Mariano
Duncan: (Giants)
Though he's coming off a poor 1997 outing (.236 in 89
games with the Blue Jays and Yankees), the Giants are
pinning their infield hopes on Duncan. He'll need to
produce since he's their only foreign batter, and his
defense had better be sterling considering both the
weakening Yomiuri pitching staff and the large number of
foreign Giants infielders who got their last glimpse of
Japan while watching a ground ball roll between their
legs. No matter what Duncan does, chances are his stay in
Japan won't extend much further than a single
season--particularly if the team again finishes a distant
fourth.
Julio
Franco: (Marines)
Though his return after two years has the Marines feeling
optimistic (they voted him team captain before he even
arrived for Spring training), Julio Franco is going to
have a tough time repeating his 1995 performance (.306
with 10 homers). Recent injures have slowed the 37 year
old first baseman down. Playing for the Indians and
Brewers in 1997, Franco hit .270 with seven homers. But
whatever offense he can muster will be much needed by the
anemic Marines.
Willie
Fraser: (BlueWave)
Though he had a great 1996 season (10-2, 3.07 ERA) with
Orix, Fraser faltered in 1997 (10-9, 4.39). This could be
his last season in Japan unless the right-handed pitcher
recovers.
Balvino
Galvez: (Giants)
Coming off his second successful season with the Giants,
Galvez finished 1997 with a 12-12 record and a 3.32 ERA.
The Dominican hurler has been the most consistent member
of the Yomiuri mound crew the last two seasons.
Leo
Gomez: (Dragons)
Former Chicago Cub Leo Gomez provided the only offense
for the dome-shocked Dragons in 1997. Team batting
slumped dramatically their first year in Nagoya Dome, but
Gomez hit .315 with 31 homers and was named the CL's Best
Nine third baseman.
Kip
Gross: (Fighters)
A former member for the Reds and Dodgers, Kip Gross has
been one of the most reliable foreign players since he
joined Nippon Ham in 1994. He doesn't get a lot of
strikeouts, but Gross led the PL in wins two straight
years (1995-96). Though he's been a rock in the past --
he pitched with broken ribs (after being jumped in
Sendai) in 1997 -- and a bone spur in his right elbow
requiring surgery will sideline him the first few weeks
of the season.
Leiby
Guzman: (Carp) A
right-handed newcomer from Hiroshima's Dominican baseball
academy, 22-year old Guzman will likely pitch for the
Carp farm team.
Ryan
Hancock: (Hawks)
Appearing with the AAA Vancouver Canadiens in 1997,
right-hander Hancock compiled a 3-3 record with a 3.63
ERA, 60 strikeouts, 36 walks and two saves.
Dave
Hansen: (Tigers)
An eight-season veteran third baseman with the Los
Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs, 28-year old Dave Hansen
batted .311 with three home runs and 21 RBIs in 1997. In
584 Major League games, he has compiled a career .267
average with 15 homers, and 104 RBIs. Hansen signed a
one-year contract with Hanshin.  He's got the potential to do very well in
Japan.
Eric
Hillman: (Giants)
After playing for the Mets, Hillman joined Lotte in 1995
and pitched two excellent seasons for the Pacific League
team. With his contract up, he signed a two-year deal
with the Giants. But a mysterious ailment limited him to
six innings in 1997 and threatens to sideline him in
1998.
Dwayne Hosey: (Swallows) A former career minor leaguer who got to
play briefly with the Boston Red Sox, Hosey made the most
of his opportunity in Japan. Playing all 137 games in
1997, Hosey earned the home run crown with 38
roundtrippers while batting .289 and nearly winning the
league's MVP award.
Edwin
Hurtado: (BlueWave)
Pitching nineteen innings with the Seattle Mariners in
1997, right-hander Hurtado went 1-2 with a 9.00 ERA,
fifteen walks and ten strikeouts. The Venezuelan hurler
was much more impressive earlier in the season with the
AAA Tacoma Rainiers where he posted a 10-6 record while
compiling a 3.88 ERA with 100 strikeouts and 37 walks in
132 innings. He wears the name "Win" on his
BlueWave uniform.
 Kevin Jarvis: (Dragons) Starting the 1997 season in a
Reds uniform, Jarvis pitched six games for Minnesota
before he was traded to Detroit. The right-hander
finished the year with an 0-3 record, 7.08 ERA, 36
strikeouts and 22 walks in 55 major league innings. A
graduate of Wake Forest University, where he majored in
biology and chemistry, Jarvis turned down an offer to
attend medical school when he was drafted by the Reds.
Batting from the left, he once hit a pre-season home run
off Orel Hershiser.
Tateo
Kaku-ri: (Tigers)
Though generally improving since his 1993 debut with
Hanshin, Taiwanese pitcher Kaku-ri pitched only 4 2/3
innings in 1997. In five seasons, he's compiled a 25-30
record with 19 saves, 294 strikeouts, 181 walks and a
3.46 composite ERA.
Phil
Leftwich: (Buffaloes)
A former Anaheim Angels pitcher, Phil Leftwich signed a
one-year contract with Kintetsu worth an estimated 75
million yen.
Bum
Jeong Lee: (Dragons)
Known widely as the "Korean Ichiro," in five
seasons as the Haitai Tigers leadoff hitter, Lee compiled
a career .332 average with 106 home runs, 315 RBIs and
310 stolen bases. In 1994, the MVP shortstop batted .393
with 84 steals and in 1997 he clubbed 30 home runs while
hitting .324 and stealing 64 bases. With power and speed,
the acquisition of 28-year old Lee should help the
Dragons take advantage of their new home ballpark.
Samson
(Sang Hoon) Lee: (Dragons) Acquired by the Chunichi Dragons in
mid-March, 27-year-old lefty Samson Lee had already built
a strong reputation in his native land. One of Korea's
top pitchers, the LG Twins star led the local league in
wins (1994-95) before becoming a highly succesful
reliever. His fastball has been clocked at 146 kph (93
mph). Samson made his debut with the Chunichi Dragons
varsity team on May 9, 1998 and surrendered a home run to
the first batter he faced, Yomiuri's Daisuke Motoki.
Luis
Lopez: (Hawks) In
his first two seasons with the Hiroshima Carp, first
baseman Lopez twice led the CL in RBIs. One of the best
sluggers in Japan, the former Indians and Dodgers player
signed a one year deal with the Hawks after the Carp
refused to negotiate a higher salary.
Pat
Mahomes: (BayStars)
Coming to Japan in July 1997, Pat Mahomes was a bit
erratic since he relied too heavily on his mainstay
breaking fastball. By August, however, he began throwing
sliders, curves and change-ups with authority, helping
the BayStars win some key games as the team made a run
for the Central League pennant. But in September, torn
cartilage in his pitching elbow knocked him out for the
rest of the season. Prior to his arrival in Japan, the
right-handed Texan pitched for the AAA Pawtucket Red Sox
where he posted a 5-1 record with 40 strikeouts, 17 walks
and a 2.84 ERA.
Jose
Malave: (BayStars)
A 27-year old outfielder arriving from the Boston Red
Sox, Jose Malave has earned a .226 career average with
four home runs in 45 Major League games. In 1997, he went
0-4 in four games.
Domingo
Martinez: (Lions)
Often referred to by his nickname, Maru-chan,
Domingo Martinez easily filled the offensive gap left by
renegade Kazuhiro Kiyohara. During the regular season,
belted thirty-one home runs, batted .305 with 106 RBIs.
Playing first base during the Japan Series, the Dominican
designated hitter impressed no one with his defense. In
fifteen Major League games, the former Toronto Blue Jay
batted .409 with two home runs.
Rob
Matson: (Buffaloes)
A 32-year old former minor league hurler, Rob Matson
signed a one-year contract with the Buffaloes for an
estimated 20 million yen.
Darrell
May: (Tigers) A
versatile lefty with the Anaheim Angels and AAA Vancouver
Canadiens in 1997, May can work as both a starter and
reliever. With the Angles, May went 2-1 with a 5.39 ERA
in 29 games (52 innings) while compiling 42 strikeouts
and issuing 25 walks. The 26-year-old hurler hails from
Rogue River, Oregon.
Nate
Minchey: (Carp) A
29-year old Colorado Rockies hurler, Nate Minchey signed
a one-year deal with the Carp. In four Major League
seasons, the right-hander has compiled a 3-7 record with
a 6.75 ERA.
Lyle Mouton: (Swallows) Formerly of the Yankees and White Sox,
Mouton has been compared to Chicago's Frank Thomas, a big
man who can run pretty well for his size. Though he
displayed uneven hitting for the Sox, he batted very well
for Yakult during the pre-season.
Troy
Neel: (BlueWave)
The 1996 Pacific League home run and RBI king, Neel also
picked up the Japan Series MVP the same year. Though he
proved himself one of the most productive members in the
Orix line-up, the BlueWave released their right-handed
designated hitter after he led the PL in strikeouts in
1997. But when the BlueWave got off to a slow start in
1998, Orix quickly re-signed thier popular slugger. Upon
his return to the line-up on May 8, 1998, Neel clubbed a
home run in his first at bat.
Rafael
Orellano: (Fighters)
It doesn't look like Orelano is going to get much mound
time on Nippon Ham's varsity team since Kip Gross and
newcomer Eric Schullstrom currently hold the two
available spots. Playing for the AAA Pawtucket Red Sox in
1997, the 25 year old lefty went 3-5 with a 7.14 ERA, 46
strikeouts and 55 walks in 69 innings.
Rudy
Pemberton: (Lions) In
1996, Pemberton was called up to the Boston Red Sox and
hit .512 in the last month of the season. But after
batting only .238 in 27 games the following year, the
right-handed Dominican signed a contract with the Seibu
Lions. Although he delivered a few key late-season hits,
Pemberton sat sidelined with injuries much of the time
and only hit .175 in 25 games. Since Brian Raabe appears
to have a reliable bat and is much needed at second base,
Pemberton may find himself on the Lions farm team most of
the 1998 season.
Felix
Perdomo: (Carp) A
former member of Hiroshima's Dominican baseball academy,
Perdomo saw little action in 1997, compiling a 2-2 record
with 18 strikeouts, thirteen walks and a 4.03 ERA. A
former position player, the 25 year old right hander may
see his role with the Carp expand as Hiroshima struggles
to build a credible pitching staff.
Timoniel
Perez: (Carp)
Though a part-time player in the past, 21-year Perez
apparently will get a chance to play every day in 1998.
The Dominican Republic-native is a really aggressive
hustler, and was one of the top batters during the 1998
pre-season open-sen tournament. In two years, the
left-hander has compiled a .254 batting average with four
home runs and five stolen bases in 117 games (193 at
bats).
Alonzo
Powell: (Tigers) A
tribute to longevity, no current foreign player has been
in Japan longer than Powell. Joining the Dragons in 1992
after brief stints with the Expos and Mariners, the
outfielder went on to earn three straight CL batting
titles (1994-96). But Chunichi's move to Nagoya Dome in
1997 brought his average down to .250 and prompted his
late-summer release. The Tigers quickly signed him but
it's unlikely he'll win another batting title in a
ballpark as unfriendly to hitters as Koshien Stadium.
Harvey
Pulliam: (BlueWave)
A 30-year old outfielder acquired from the expansion
Arizona Diamondbacks, Harvey Pulliam has compiled a
career .262 average in six Major League seasons. Playing
for the Colorado Rockies in 1997, he batted .284 with
nine RBIs.
Alejandro
Quezada: (Carp) An
outfielder with no professional experience, 20-year old
Quezada will probably play exclusively on the Hiroshima
farm team.
Brian
Raabe: (Lions) An
infielder who's only played a handful of games in the
Major Leagues, 31-year old Brian Raabe might fill the
Lions' hole at second base. Briefly appearing with the
Minnesota Twins and Colorado Rockies, Raabe has compiled
a .231 average in 15 big league games.
Tuffy
Rhodes: (Buffaloes)
The finest foreign hitter in the Pacific League, Rhodes
is an easy choice for MVP if the Buffaloes take the PL
flag this year. According to Suguru Egawa's Scouting
Report '98, the Kintetsu outfielder is the best
all-around foreign player in Japan, receiving four and a
half stars (out of five) for hitting, and four for both
fielding and running. Before joining Kintetsu in 1996,
Rhodes played with the Astros, Cubs and Red Sox.
Ben
Rivera: (Tigers) A
29 year old right-hander, Rivera pitched in Taiwan before
joining the Tigers in 1997. Appearing in 49 games (86
innings) for the China Trust Whales, River posted a 5-5
record with 19 saves while compiling a 2.51 ERA, 112
strikeouts and 46 walks. In 1996, he played with the
Philadelphia Phillies.
Bobby
Rose: (BayStars)
Dubbed Mr. Consistency, Bobby Rose has quietly
led Yokohama's offense since he joined the team in 1993.
In five years, he's maintained a .313 career average
while slugging 90 home runs and compiling 462 RBIs. But
the BayStars still refuse to offer him a two-year deal.
Eric
Schullstrom: (Fighters)
Appearing in 29 games as a reliever for the Monterey
Sultans (Mexican League), affable right-hander
Schullstrom posted a 3-1 record with two saves, 39
strikeouts and 13 walks while compiling a 0.31 ERA.
Though he pitched two seasons for the Minnesota Twins
(1994-95), he spent 1996 playing for the AAA Pawtucket
Red Sox.
Alfonso
Soriano: (Carp)
After one year on the Carp farm team (1996), and the next
on the varsity squad, Soriano's current status remains a
mystery. He only batted .118 in 9 games, so it's likely
Hiroshima given up on him.
Dong
Yol Sun: (Dragons)
Before joining the Chunichi Dragons in 1996, Sun was
Korea's top pitching star, compiling a 146-40 record with
146 saves, 1698 saves, 345 walks and a career 1.20 ERA
for the Haitai Tigers. Though he had a dismal first
season with Chunichi, Sun turned things around to become
one of the league's top closers, compiling a 1.28 ERA
with 38 saves.
Ryan
Thompson: (Hawks) A
former minor league outfielder with the AAA Syracuse
Chiefs, Thompson hit .288 with 16 home runs and 58 RBIs
in 83 games in 1997. In five Major League seasons with
the Mets and Indians, the 30-year old utility player
compiled a career .240 average with 40 home runs and 131
RBIs in 301 games.
Brian
Williams: (Hawks) A
29-year old right-handed hurler, Brian Williams signed a
one year contract for 1998 estimated at 80 million yet to
pitch as a starter for Daiei. In seven years in the Major
Leagues, the 150-kph fastball pitcher has compiled a
23-36 record with five saves and a career 5.34 ERA while
playing for the Astros, Padres, Tigers, and Orioles.
Desi
Wilson: (Tigers) A
twenty-eight year old first baseman and outfielder with
the AAA Phoenix Firebirds, Desi Wilson played 121 games,
batting .344 with seven home runs, 53 RBIs and 16 steals.
Signed by the Tigers in October 1997, it's not yet clear
what defensive role Wilson will play with Hanshin in
1998.
Nigel
Wilson: (Fighters)
His first year in Japan, designated hitter Nigel Wilson
earned the Pacific League home run crown with 37
roundtrippers and the deadball crown, as he was hit by by
fourteen pitches. A generally easygoing guy who's tried
to adapt to the Japanese style of baseball, only once did
he retaliate by charging the mound. Prior to joining the
Fighters, Wilson, who is asthmatic and carries an inhaler
with him, played a handful of games with the Marlins,
Reds and Indians.
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