Written by Joe Lucia | 22 March 2010

Knocking out another member of the rotation... Kenshin Kawakami made his American debut last season with the Braves, and was...relatively successful, posting a FIP of 4.21 for the team. Durability was an issue, as the Braves pulled him from the rotation once Tim Hudson came back from Tommy John surgery in order to limit Kawakami's innings. There shouldn't be much of a limit on his innings this year, due to the increase he got last year in comparison to his time in Japan. I'd expect something in the range of 180-190 for Kawakami this season barring injury. The Braves need Kawakami to post some serious innings in order to lessen the blow on the bullpen near the end of the season. Now, enough about durability. Lets talk peripherals...because its been so long since I've done that, right? He was not much of a strikeout pitcher last season, with a rate of 6.04 per 9. His walk rate is around average, posting a mark of 3.28 per 9 in 2009. I don't have walk data from Japan, but I can tell you that his career strikeout rate in the NPB was 7.28 per 9. The sudden dropoff is most likely due to the switch in countries and leagues, with Kawakami still acclimating himself to American culture. Speaking of acclimating to American culture. Kawakami took a little bit to get adjusted to American baseball, as he posted a FIP of 6.24 in April. Aside from a bad June, he was fine in the other 3 months, highlighted by a fantastic 2.66 FIP in May. He finished the year strong as well, as he posted FIPs a tad above 3.00 over the last 2 months of the season. Kawakami is a key to the Braves season in 2010, and is getting overlooked by many fans. If Kawakami cannot produce in the rotation as the 5th starter, he'll likely be switched with reliever Kris Medlen, forcing Kawakami to get bullpen innings...and considering his low strikeout rate, I don't want to see that happen. I'll be satisfied with his performance if he's able to give the team 180 innings or so with a FIP/ERA in the 4.00. The role of a fifth starter is to not kill the team when the front of the rotation isn't pitching. I think Kawakami can do that perfectly fine.