Post-Season Wrap-Up of North American Players in Japan, Part 1

It’s time for post-season wrap-ups on my series about the North American players who slugged it out in Japan this year.  For more information on the players discussed here, see my posts from June 17 and June 18 of this year.

Benny Agbyani, Chiba Lotte Marines. He finished out the year hitting .265 with seven HRs in 272 ABs.  His OPS of .767 wasn’t bad, but at age 38 next year and making over $800,000 this year, he won’t be back for another season in 2010.

Chris Aguila, Fukuoka Softbank Hawks.  Long gone after starting the season an awful 4 for 42.

Edgardo Alfonso, Yomiuri Giants. He finished his only Japanese season a brutal 6 for 41 (a .146 average) with two HRs.  His professional career appears to be over unless he can catch on with a team in Venezuala, where he’s originally from.

Scott Atchison, Hanshin Tigers.  He finished off a terrific season as one of Hanshin’s top set-up man, posting a 1.70 ERA with only 20 walks and 81 Ks in 90 IP over 75 appearances.  Reports have it that Atchison hopes to return to MLB in 2010.  Even though he will be 34 next season, his 2009 season in Japan was so good at least one major league team will likely give him a shot.

Aarom Balderis, Hanshin Tigers.  He was absolutely terrible in limited playing time for the Tigers (3 for 29), but absolutely terrific at their farm team, hitting .358 in 260 ABs with a .940 OPS.  He’ll be 27 next year, and NPB Tracker reports that Tigers do not intend to bring him back.  Given the year he had in the minors, I would think another team might give him one last shot in 2010.

Ricky Barrett, Tokyo Yakult Swallows.  Finished his season with a 7.15 ERA over 11.1 innings pitched.  He pitched pretty well for Yakult’s minor league team (2.81 ERA over 32 IP), but at age 29 next season,  the Swallows won’t give him another chance.

Jonah Bayliss, Saitama Seibu Lions.  He had a 3.21 ERA over 19 relief appearances (only 14 IP) after being acquired from the Toronto Blue Jays on July 23, 2009.  Despite the fact that he pitched fairly well, NPB Tracker reports that the Lions don’t intend to bring him back for 2010.

Tony Blanco, Chunichi Dragons.  He was the great success story in Japan in 2009.  As a 28 year old rookie, he led Japan’s Central League with 39 HRs and 110 RBIs.  His .880 OPS was good for 7th in the league.  It wasn’t a good season for hitters in the Central League: Yomiuri’s Shinnosuke Abe led all hitters with a .943 OPS.  Blanco has reportedly already signed a new two-year deal with the Dragons that will pay him a total of $3.6 million.

Hiram Bocachica, Saitama Seibu Lions.  He played very little in the second half, finishing the season with a .215 batting average and 13 HRs in 195 AB’s.  His Japanese career is over.

Jason Botts, Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters.  Only appeared in 11 games for the Ham Fighters in 2009.  His Japanese career is over.

Craig Brazell, Hanshin Tigers.  Brazell hit .291 with 16 HRs in 285 ABs for the Tigers.  However, he drew only eight walks on the season, which kept his OPS down to .817, despite his strong power numbers.  He reportedly wants to return to Hanshin in 2010, but it’s not yet clear if the Tigers intend to bring him back.

Gary Burnham, Jr., Chiba Lotte Marines. He finished the season hitting .218 with little power.  He won’t be back in 2010.

Adrian Burnside, Yomiuri Giants.  A reader would like me to point out that Burnside is an AUSTRALIAN, who just happened to play baseball professionally in the United States for a dozen years.  Duly noted.  After an injury-plagued start to the season, Burnside didn’t pitch at all for the Giants in 2009.  He did pitch 32 innings over 13 appearances for their farm team, but his 4.13 ERA there didn’t impress, and his Japanese career is over, unless another team will give him a shot.