During the course of the baseball season, the OTWT's scouting staff will take a look at different prospects, from minor leagues, colleges and big leagues, that we have seen either on TV or in person. We start our series with Rangers pitcher Yu Darvish. Darvish made his debut on Monday night and struggled early but showed some signs.
Stat line against the Mariners: 110 pitches; 5 2/3 innings, 8 hits, 5 runs, 4 walks and 5 k.
Positives: After a rough first two innings, Darvis slowed down and showed commands of his pitches. Pitch speed range from 95 mph fastball to 69 mph curveball. Average fastball was clocked at 93.5 mph, not bad. Watching him face Ichiro was really cool, two of the best players of the last two generations in Japan. Ichiro got three hits off of Darvish. Beisdes his stuff, Darvish showed his toughness by overcoming a first inning in which he gave up four runs, he could have packed it in but did not.
Negatives: The first inning has to be a concern. Darvish seems like the type of pitcher that is going to throw a ton of pitches, which is something that the Rangers will have to watch.
Overall: He has really good stuff and the Rangers may have one of the best imports ever.
