Free-agent pitcher Shintaro Fujinami is facing an uphill battle to revive his professional career after failing to resolve long-standing command issues, according to Kazuhiro Takeda.
DeNA Release and Career Crossroads
Fujinami enters the open market following his recent release from DeNA, leaving his immediate baseball future uncertain as he approaches age 33. The right-hander, once celebrated as a star prospect after winning a high school championship at Osaka Toin High School, has struggled to find consistency. Takeda, who earned titles for most wins and top relief pitcher during his own playing career, noted that the pitcher’s struggles have now extended across multiple seasons.
Command Difficulties and Mental Obstacles
The core issue remains Fujinami’s persistent inability to throw consistent strikes, a mechanical and psychological hurdle that Takeda believes has severely hindered his effectiveness. Strikes aren’t coming, so it isn’t really pitching,
Takeda said in an interview with webSportiva. While some observers suggest that harnessing his velocity would make him an effective arm, Takeda observed that years of control problems point toward a deeper mental block. When you cannot throw strikes, it becomes very difficult as a pitcher,
Takeda added, noting that the psychological weight of anticipating missed targets appears to disrupt Fujinami’s delivery.
Contrasting Approaches in Japan and North America
Hitting approaches across different leagues present another hurdle for any potential comeback. Takeda pointed out that while major league hitters occasionally chase pitches out of the zone, hitters in Japan generally exercise greater discipline, making it difficult for erratic pitchers to survive on velocity alone. Furthermore, Takeda analyzed that Fujinami’s delivery relies on a motion where his head lunges forward, causing his arm swing to lag and leading to high-profile missed spots, such as past hit-by-pitch incidents. With public expectations high due to his early amateur success, Fujinami must now convince prospective clubs that he can finally stabilize his mechanics before any team commits to a contract.
