Next to MVP catcher Atsuya Furuta's health, the biggest variable for Yakult has been the effectiveness of their pitching staff. When healthy, the Swallows' mound crew has devastated opponents.

But with the loss of right-handed free agent Masato Yoshii and the release of Terry Bross, Yakult has been desperately trying to create a reliable starting rotation for 1998.

After two years on the Swallow's farm team, Ryuji Miyade may finally get a chance to play on the varsity team.

A tall (190 cm or 6' 4") 21 year old right-hander, Miyade pitched reasonably well last year in the minors (7-6, 3.48 ERA) but there's currently little indication that he's going to overwhelm CL batters. He appears to get a lot of strikeouts.

As a batter, he hit .217 with one home run and four RBIs in 23 at bats on the farm team in 1997.

Assuming he's not overworked, Miyade has the potential to develop into a reliable starter.