 Another
great Yakult pitcher who's had arm trouble in
recent years, Yoichi Okabayashi has compiled a
career 51-37 record with a 3.43 ERA, 449
strikeouts and only 145 walks since 1991. Posting
12-6 and 15-10 records in his first two years,
the right-handed hurler was one of the big
reasons the Swallows got the Japan Series in 1992
and '93.
Though he never got a lot of
strikeouts, Okabayashi is (was?) an excellent
control pitcher who gives up very few walks. In
both 1992 and '94, he led the league in most
complete games without walking a batter.
But since then, the three-time
all-star pitcher has been very erratic, missing
the entire 1996 season with arm trouble.
In 1997, Okabayashi earned a 1-1
record in 31 1/3 innings with a 4.88 ERA. Since
he has pretty good control, he could be one of
the most dominant pitchers in the league if he
can get his arm working again.
|
|
 |
| #
15 |
| Starting |
| Pitcher |
| Born:
4-11-68 |
| Height:
186 cm |
| Weight:
80 kg |
| Bats:
Left |
| Throws:
Right |
| Honors: |
| 1992 and '94 |
| Led CL in |
| most complete |
| games without |
| a walk |
|
