Masahiro Tanaka or Yoshinobu Yamamoto - Who was better coming out of Japan?

[D. Bergin]

Both coming out their age 25 seasons. Very very similar stat lines.

Tanaka pitched way more innings and complete games, and maybe had a bit more wear on him. Otherwise stats are very similar. Yamamoto's slightly better analytical metrics seem to be strictly a function of perhaps his team taking better care of his arm and not running him out there inning after inning.

Tanaka's better Won/Loss record and his crazy 24-0 season, likely a reflection of playing on a better team.

Anybody who is more familiar then myself with their pre-MLB career, have an opinion on who was the better prospect?

Discuss!

[seanofjapan]

I’ve watched both of them play in Japan.

Its hard to tell, both were extremely dominant in the years leading up to their departure for MLB. Yamamoto has been insane for the last 3 seasons - three straight pitching triple crowns and MVP awards while leading his team to the PL pennant in each of them.

Tanaka was crazy dominant in the years leading up to his going to NY, but other than the 24-0 season he felt slightly closer to a mortal human being than Yamamoto has been.

Dodgers are certainly betting on him having a longer career horizon than Tanaka (who incidentally is back playing in Japan with the Eagles again) did with that 12 year deal. It might pay off, but who knows.

[D. Bergin]

Thanks for the response Sean.

Maybe not a superstar, but Tanaka certainly pitched admirably for the Yankees, even though he was holding off on needed elbow surgery for almost the entire time he was there.

I see he's struggling a bit back in Japan now, which was foreseeable knowing he was pitching in pain most of his stint with the Yanks.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Only 21 and they really spread out his starts, but some of Sasaki's stats are not to be believed, like the 13+ SO9.