AFL welcomes Japanese pitchers

PHOENIX, Ariz. -- This fall, five pitchers from Japan's top professional baseball leagues will become the first players from an international league to compete alongside Major League Baseball prospects on Arizona Fall League teams.

Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) has accepted Major League Baseball's invitation to assign players to the 2009 Arizona Fall League which begins its 18th season on Tuesday, October 13.

The five hurlers have been assigned to the Phoenix Desert Dogs and Scottsdale Scorpions.

Their presence marks the first time players from teams outside Major League Baseball have been invited to participate on Fall League teams.

"We welcome the Japanese players and we look forward to watching them pitch against many of the best young hitters Major League Baseball is developing," Arizona Fall League director, Steve Cobb, says.

"Japan has proven it has talented players and we are pleased the NPB clubs recognize the value Arizona Fall League competition provides developing players."

The Chinese National Team played a five-game schedule in the 2007 Arizona Fall League in preparation for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

Below is a listing of the five NPB pitchers assigned to the 2009 Arizona Fall League.

Phoenix Desert Dogs
Player / B-T / Ht., Wt. / Birthdate / Hometown / 2009 NPB Club
Hiroshi Katayama / L-L / 6-4, 220 / 4-19-88 / Hyogo, Japan / Rakuten Eagles
Toshiyuki Yanuki / R-R / 6-3, 194 / 12-15-83 / Fukushima, Japan / Nippon Ham Fighters

Scottsdale Scorpions
Player / B-T / Ht., Wt. / Birthdate / Hometown / 2009 NPB Club
Toru Murata / L-R / 6-0, 176 / 5-20-85 / Osaka, Japan / Yomiuri Giants
Ken Nishimura / R-R / 6-0, 176 / 12-4-86 / Fukuoka, Japan / Hanshin Tigers
Takanobu Tsujiuchi / L-L / 6-0, 194 / 12-5-87 / Nara, Japan / Yomiuri Giants