Kona Takahashi ended his win drought Tuesday, and a day later reflected on his progress toward MLB and his disastrous 2024 season.
For the first time in over a season and a half, the 190-centimeter Seibu Lions right-hander earned a win with six shutout innings at home against the Rakuten Eagles. In 2022, Takahashi went 12-8 with a 2.20 ERA, working more aggressively than ever, attacking the zone with an unusually solid mix and then finishing hitters off with a splitter that had joined those of Japan’s big boys.
That autumn, he told the Lions he wanted out, to play in MLB, and as is customary, he expected to be allowed to go after another good season in 2023, but was turned down. Since then, everything had gone downhill. Takahashi was hurt in camp the following spring and had a few good games but was more often unwatchable.
Former Yomiuri Giants star Warren Cromartie and I had an argument the other day about when ballplayers reach their prime, and since I tend to be a know-it-all, I looked to see what the evidence suggests. After looking to find out who actually has been the best player in Japan since 2020 and when Japanese players reach their peak, it turns out we were both kind of wrong.
Our discussion began with his evaluation of the relative strengths of two players who appear headed for a switch from Japan’s majors to MLB, the Giants’ Kazuma Okamoto and the Yakult Swallows’ Munetaka Murakami.
Former Giants manager Tatsunori Hara put Cromartie in uniform a few years ago so he could help Okamoto find his feet, and boy did the youngster respond.
Okamoto will be 29 on June 30, has played seven full seasons. He is on track to be an international free agent after the 2026 season, and Cromartie said he has reason to believe the Giants will post him this autumn.
