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Utsuhiko Iwasaki
Relief Pitcher | Guelph Storm
Pitching
Iwasaki's endurance makes him well suited to long relief. This guy has closer written all over him. Iwasaki has to keep the ball down, especially against lefties, or he gets hit hard and often. His fastball gets into the high 80s, but it's the sink that makes the pitch effective. He comes right after righthanded hitters, who are lucky even to reach base against him, but he works more carefully to lefties.
Defense & Hitting
Iwasaki doesn't make much of an attempt to combat the running game. Basestealers ran at will last year. Iwasaki never has been a good fielder. Iwasaki is a surpisingly good hitting pitcher. And I'm not sure you can say this about a pitcher, but Iwasaki has some pop in his swing. Interesting sidenote, The Guelph Storm have been known to use Iwasaki as a pinch-runner on occasion.
2025 Outlook
I can't say I know what The Guelph Storm were doing locking this guy up to a long term contract. A questionable call at best. Iwasaki has below average skills, even for the low minors. One has to expect the Guelph Storm will give him his walking papers before the end of the season. I just don't know if The Guelph Storm are ever going to get what they expect out of him.
-- Ska Nyman, A-Ball Scout
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