| Player: Hiromi Itoh | |||||||||||
| Team: Nippon Ham Fighters | Country: Japan | Position(s): RHP | |||||||||
| Height: 5’9″ | Weight: 180 lbs. | Bats: Left | Throws: Right | ||||||||
| Summary: Itoh’s profile is built on craft rather than velocity, and there is plenty of craft to evaluate. The four-seam fastball sits 92-94 with strong ride and arm-side life that allows it to generate swing-and-miss at the top of the zone, and a splitter that produces ground balls and chases below it gives him a vertical combination that plays in either direction. What separates him from a typical pitchability arm is the breadth of the secondary mix — a sweeper, short slider, curveball and cutter give him multiple horizontal and vertical movement profiles to sequence against a lineup, and the feel for manipulating shapes, velocities and grips is unusually advanced. The command and durability have allowed the arsenal to play consistently deep into games, and the sequencing ability is what makes the diverse pitch mix more than just a collection of offerings. How it all translates stateside remains to be seen and there will certainly be plenty of MLB scouts getting eyes on him this season in the NPB as there are reports anticipating he will be posted next offseason. | |||||||||||
Shaun Kernahan is the founder and lead writer of Three Quarter Slot, where he blends scouting precision with a storyteller’s eye for the human side of the game. Based in Parker, Colorado, he has covered baseball prospects at every level since 2013, delivering in-depth evaluations, draft analysis, and developmental insight. Over the years, he has built Three Quarter Slot into a trusted home for thoughtful prospect coverage, detailed scouting reports, and a grounded look at how talent evolves
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