On this page you'll find links to all of Yakult's regular players, organized by defensive position: pitchers, catchers, infielders and outfielders.

Pitchers:

Led by southpaw Kazuhisa Ishii, a 24-year-old power pitcher who threw a no-hitter last year and has been compared to Seattle's Randy Johnson, the Swallows feature one of the deepest but most injury-prone pitching staffs in Japan. Since Masato Yoshii has left the team in search of Major League stardom and Terry Bross was released after a poor 1997 outing, Yakult will rely heavily on starters Ishii and Kazuya Tabata while hoping for comeback performances from Yoichi Okabayashi, Kenjiro Kawasaki, Akimitsu Ito and Futoshi Yamabe.

The Swallows will also get help from newcomers Travis Driskill, who led the AAA Buffalo Bisons to a championship in 1997, and Oakland A's reliever Mark Acre. Though he hasn't been effective for a few years, former Seibu Lions ace Hisanobu Watanabe will get a chance to revive his career with the Swallows in 1998.

While their starting rotation may appear thin, that can't be said of Yakult's bullpen. Occasionally working as a starter, Tatsuki Yamamoto leads the middle relief crew which includes Hiroto Kato, Tetsuhiro Nonaka, and Hiroaki Hirota.

Forming one of the best set-up and closing teams in Japan, Shingo Takatsu and Tomohito Ito alternate late-inning relief roles. In 1998, however, Ito will shift to a starting role.

Catchers:

At times mentioned as the top player in Japan, backstop Atsuya Furuta is indispensable. In 1997 Furuta posted the third highest batting average in the league while earning the CL MVP Award, the Japan Series MVP Award and the Shoriki Award for outstanding contribution to Japanese baseball.

When the two-time MVP is injured, the Swallows sink to "second division." Every year he's been healthy since 1992, Yakult has gone to the Japan Series.

There's a big drop in quality between Furuta and his backups. Katsunori Nomura, probably deserves some attention because he is Yakult manager Katsuya Nomura's son.

Infielders:

Joining an already crowded infield, former Chicago White Sox outfielder and designated hitter Lyle Mouton will likely replace Takehiko Kobayakawa at first base while home run slugger Takehiro Ikeyama begins his second season at third base. Because of an indictment for tax evasion, regular shortstop Shinya Miyamoto won't be able to suit up on opening day. Look for journeyman Katsuyuki Dobashi to play short while gold glove Toshifumi Baba and aging infield wizard Hatsuhiko Tsuji cover second. Ikeyama may be the only all-star guarding the base paths, but together these players form one of the best defensive infields in Japan.

Outfielders:

Despite rumors the Swallows' management was unhappy with his left field defense, 1997 home run king Dwayne Hosey returns for another year to defend his crown and entertain fans with his antics. When not injured, center fielder Tetsuya Iida ranks as one of the best at his position in Japan. While Iida rarely hits home runs, he can reach base and steal his way around the horn. Right fielder Atsunori Inaba can smack home runs, hit for average and steal bases. Patrolling the right field foul line, Yakult's Mr. Hustle can reel in the most stubborn line drive and rifle it back home.

Backing up the starters, Mitsuru Manaka can easily take over any outfield position. Filling in for injured Iida, Manaka led the club's offense during the summer and in the Japan Series. Shinichi Sato often works as a late-inning defensive replacement for Hosey while Tomohiro Jo stands on call whenever a right-hander is needed. Since defense makes his tired old legs buckle, Shinji Hata has been reduced to an occasional pinch hitter.