K.K.’s run support was among the worst
3.22 – Kenshin Kawakami’s run support per nine innings pitched in 2009, which would have tied for the lowest run support in the National League if he’d had enough innings to qualify. He pitched 156-1/3 innings, just below the 162-inning minimum.
The Braves scored one or no runs while he was in 11 of his 25 starts, and two runs while he was in four others.
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12 comments Add your comment
Tater
February 21st, 2010
6:10 pm
To Heck with Twitter. Post DOB! Post!
Bill
February 21st, 2010
6:27 pm
TnBrian, I read somewhere that Wagner had a cutter. However you may be right. Hope whatever he has works no matter what horse he rides.
martha
February 21st, 2010
6:44 pm
I predict that KK will surprise many people this season. I know he struggled last season, but he’s had time to adjust to pitching here. We saw a flash of brilliance last season when he outpitched Halladay in Toronto. I think we will see some more of that this year. GO KK!!!
brandon
February 21st, 2010
6:51 pm
i think KK could surprise as well. i’m not putting any money on it though. but i think he’ll make a great fourth or fifth starter.
jch
February 21st, 2010
7:29 pm
I’m glad you brought this up. I thought KK had really started to be very effective in his last few starts before going to the bullpen. This season he could be a very nice surprise for us in what could prove to be a very, very strong rotation.
Alaska Braves Fan
February 21st, 2010
9:00 pm
I watched KK pitch quite a lot last year. I even flew down to San Francisco for the Braves three-game set, and KK pitched one of those games. He is a talented and highly effective professional pitcher. He has the stuff and he thinks about what he’s doing out there. If he is highly effective this year, and I think he will be, it should come as no surprise. But, don’t judge him on winning or losing if the offense lets him down. Look at his own numbers, and even last year those were pretty darn good.
ABF
Vince
February 21st, 2010
9:39 pm
He has to be more aggressive. He often tries to nibble and doesn’t attack hitters. When he attacks hitters, he pitches well. He also seems to slow a game down more than others. Thats just an opinion with nothing to back it up.
Nashville Chuck
February 21st, 2010
10:27 pm
He will be THE BEST fifth starter in baseball! PERIOD!!!
Terence Moore
February 22nd, 2010
4:56 am
This is so much fun! Now instead of reading all of the great DOB info in one place, now I can click on four different 20-word blogs!
What a great idea!
ARE YOU AJC PEOPLE SMOKING CRACK?
Seriously, are you?
Macon Braves (RIP)
February 22nd, 2010
8:29 am
Nope this wasn’t the blog!!! I’ll keep searching….
THIS IS STUPID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
bravofan
February 22nd, 2010
9:19 am
play streak for the cash with me on espn the group is called Atlanta Braves all you have to have is an espn account come play its fun
jeff
February 22nd, 2010
3:42 pm
KK out-pitched many of the front line ‘ace’ of many teams last year despite everyone expecting him to fail. Roy Holiday, Johan Santana, Josh Johnson, Cole Hamels for example. He also out pitched decent pitchers like Clayton Kershaw and Dice K in a very hyped up Fenway Park. This guy more than reliable and is surprising for a fifth or fourth starter. He just needs to be more consistent.
Remember this folks: Japanese players rarely get to see major league hitters in Japan. Minor league players get a chance to see MLB players in spring training, winter leagues, etc. Japanese league doesn’t allow their players to participate, so unlike Dominicans, or South American players, they don’t face MLB quality hitters. Some minor league and MLB players play against each other frequently and have a history going back to college or high school. Kenshin was never considered a ‘great’ pitcher but adapted to MLB hitters he never faced before. Thats a pretty good accomplishment in itself. I think he’ll be fine.
In my opinion last year’s squad would’ve made the playoffs if not for that last Marlins series (for example: Bobby left the rookie Medlin too long after using him three days in a row). any opinions on this?