 The
BlueWave's semi-regular third baseman, Toshifumi
Baba got squeezed out of the Orix infield when
the team acquired Chris Donnels, a productive
slugger but a defensive question mark.Despite winning two gold gloves,
Baba was sent to the Swallows in June of 1997
when Orix chose hitting over defense.
Maybe
the change of teams or the chance to play every
day brought out the best in the career 247
hitter. Shortly after joining Yakult, he was
hitting over .300 and in early July he hit two
home runs in one game (despite only hitting nine
in six years before that).
Though
his bat cooled off, Baba finished the season with
a .271 average, one triple, three home runs and
18 RBIs in 140 at bats. His main weakness was
batting a mere .220 with runners in scoring
position.
Baba
may have a greater chance to prove himself in
1998. If shortstop Shinya Miyamoto's tax evasion
indictment results in a suspension, the Swallows
will need a reliable infielder to fill the
defensive gap while offering some offense.
|
|
 |
| #
54 |
| Infielder |
| Born:
2-10-1965 |
| Height:
173 cm |
| Weight:
77 kg |
| Bats:
Right |
| Throws:
Right |
|
