Team Japan's Hiro, Ibata Named to All-WBC Team

The 2013 All-World Baseball Classic Team was released after the completion of the tournament last week. Chunichi shortstop Hirokazu Ibata was one of only two Japanese players named to the team.  Ibata was named best designated hitter and Hiroshima pitcher Kenta Maeda was also selected as one of three pitchers.

Ibata was not originally expected to be a starting player for this year's team, but after coming through with a clutch RBI pinch-hit in Japan's first game against Brazil and a nice game at the plate in his first start (Japan's third game) manager Yamamoto decided to stick with Ibata's hot bat.  From then on Ibata started every game, mainly at DH, and continued to rack up the hits.  His final totals included 10 hits in 18 AB (a .556 average), with 6 runs scored, 4 RBIs and 5 walks.  Ibata also continued to be clutch knocking in the game-tying run in the 9th inning of a second-round game against Chinese Taipei and getting Japan on the board by knocking in their only run against Puerto Rico in the 3-1 loss that eliminated Japan from the tournament.

A truly exceptional and unexpected performance by Ibata, hopefully he can carry the momentum into the season, which is now less than a week away.

The rest of the All-WBC team can be seen here, as posted on yakyubaka.

Ohshima and Blanco Named to Best 9

Congratulations to Yohei Ohshima and Tony Blanco who were named to the Central League's Best 9.  It was Ohshima's first nomination and Blanco's second.  Ohshima was second in the voting amoung outfielders, only 17 votes behind Yomiuri's Hisayoshi Chono, and is currently working out and playing with Team Japan.  It hasn't been determined yet if Ohshima will be selected to play for Japan in the upcoming World Baseball Classic.  Blanco is currently a free agent and hoping to get a multi-year deal from a NPB team.

Tony Blanco Named Central League MVP for the Month of May

Nice to see the big guy overcome some obstacles and put the early-season BS (Yamasaki "competition" and ni-gun demotion) behind him and show everyone what kind of damage he is still capable of.   He's definitely deserving of the above award with at .333 BA, 9 HR and 23 RBI in May.  He's now among the league leaders in HR and RBIs and with way fewer plate appearances than most his competitors.  Hopefully he can keep things rolling through the season and the Dragons will sign him to new deal.  I think he will continue to thump if he stays healthy, he's been around the NPB for several years now and knows what it takes to succeed.  Whether the Dragons re-sign him or not will be interesting,  I'm still not sure what direction the front office is going with their recent moves, but they definitely don't have a replacement of his calibre on the current roster.  With the way Blanco's been jerked around a bit by management, I wouldn't blame him if  he took an offer from another team should one be available, but as a fan I hope he'll be back.