Power Pros Forum

Sapporo Bears 2016 Preview

3 Key Stars

SP Sora Maeda, R/R, 22 years old, 4 years pro, 148/A(84)/S(100)/HSLD(3)/SLD(2)/VSLD(4)
1B Cody Kerb, R/R, 25 years old, Rookie, 4/C(61)/A(82)/D(57)/E(45)/D(57)/D(52)
3B Ryosei Dan, R/R, 26 years old, 4 years pro, 4/C(64)/B(79)/E(43)/C(66)/E(45)/E(49)

Projected Lineup
1. RF Chirk 3DDCDDD
2. SS Maluco (R) 3BDDCCD
3. 2B Shin 3BCDDCC
4. 3B Dan
5. 1B Kerb
6. DH Einishi 2CCFEDE
7. LF Michizono 2CDDDDE
8. C Wiseman 2DEDSCC
9. CF Yamato 3DFDBSE

Projected Rotation
RHP Maeda
RHP Redd 137 BA 3HSLD 3SLD 2HSHU
RHP U 146 DB 3SLD 4CHG 1SHU
RHP Moriss 143 CB 2SLD 4CB 2KN
RHP Akada (R) 151 CC 1CB 3CCHG 3SNK
LHP Kiriu 145 EC 4CUT 2CB

Projected Bullpen
RHP (CL) Harnish 149 CE 1CHG 6SNK
RHP Miyaguni 147 ED 5SLD 2DCB
RHP Yamamoto 147 DD 4SLD 1CCHG 4SHU
RHP Whitberg 145 CD 3SCB 4HSHU
RHP Gates 145 CD 2HSLD 2SFF 3HSHU
LHP Hidaka 147 DD 3SLD 4CHG

The Bears are back and better after winning the championship last season. GM William Nathan, since coming into the NPB as a GM has sent the most players to the MLB in that 4 year span. He just sent lefty shortstop, Kitoaji to the MLB this season, and replaced him with an incoming American free agent, Anderson Maluco, who looks like he will fit right in as the starting shortstop. They also added American power threat, Cody Kerb who should be looking to jack about 30 bombs this year. The rotation is weaker, with Akada and Kiriu joining it, but the bullpen and batting order are still very strong, so the Bears should compete for 1st in the Pacific League once again in 2016.

Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks 2016 Preview

3 Key Stars

SP Tadashi Settsu, R/R, 33 years old, 7 years pro, 146/B(77)/B(72)/SLD(2)/CB(2)/HSNK(4)
SS Sugawara Yi, R/R, 26 years old, 3 years pro, 3/B(76)/D(51)/D(53)/A(81)/D(58)/F(32)
OF Yasiel Puig, R/R, 25 years old, 2 years pro, 4/B(76)/B(71)/B(70)/B(70)/B(70)B(74)

Projected Lineup
1. SS Akashi 2CEBCDD
2. RF Hasegawa 2CDCDED
3. LF Puig
4. 3B Chen 4DBEDAC
5. 1B Uchikawa 3ACEDDD
6. DH Yi
7. C Jeffers 2EDEDBC
8. 2B Miyazaki 2FDEDBC
9. CF Kidokoro 2FDABBB

Projected Rotation
RHP Settsu
RHP Iwasaski 151 CC 3SLD 5CHG 2FORK
LHP H.Yamada 148 CB 5SLD 3CHG
RHP Ohba 148 DB 4VSLD 4CCHG
RHP Tatsumi 148 DC 3CUT 3VSLD 3CCHG
RHP Kishi 148 CC 2SLD 5CB 2CHG

Projected Bullpen
RHP (CL) Nishimura 156 CC 3SLD 2FORK 4HSHU
LHP Harkhalt 142 DE 3SLD 2CHG
RHP Tatsumi (R) 145 EF 2CUT 3SFF
RHP T.Yoshikawa 148 DC 3SLD 1FORK 1SHU
RHP Tsujimoto 145 FE 2HSLD 2CB
LHP Morifuku 148 AD 6HSLD 4HSHU

A few years removed from their dominance in the early 2010's, the Hawks finally made it back to the playoffs in 2015 with the 3-seed in the Pacific League. This team does not have the strongest hitting, lacking an extreme power threat besides Yasiel Puig, but the Hawks have one of the strongest rotations in Japan. However, the bullpen is quite weak aside from Morifuku and Nishimura, the best setup-closer punch in Japan. If the Hawks are gonna compete for the playoffs again in a highly competitive Pacific League, they're gonna need to make a push to acquire a good hitter to make their batting order a bit stronger.

I'd say Chen is a power threat, like Puig he also has 4 trajectory and B power -- outside of that 3-5, maybe 6 range the Hawks do have a really weak lineup though

also is Sora Maeda of any relation to Kenta?

Chen's B in power is only a 71, but I guess it's still pretty decent. And no, they're not related, I just really like the last name Maeda

ORIX Buffaloes 2016 Preview

3 Key Stars

SP Chihiro Kaneko, L/R, 32 years old, 11 years pro, 152/B(78)/A(87)/CUT(2)/DCB(4)/CHG(2)
1B Treyari Yufu, L/R, 26 years old, Rookie, 3/C(60)/C(62)/C(61)/C(68)/B(70)/C(62)
OF Takahiro Okada, L/L, 28 years old, 10 years pro, 4/C(63)/B(78)/D(51)/D(52)/C(64)/C(61)

Projected Lineup
1. CF Sakaguchi 2CDBBBA
2. 2B Gotoh 3CCCDCC
3. SS Ohbiki 2CECCBC
4. RF T-Okada
5. 3B Baldiris 4DCECCE
6. DH Lee D.H. 3DBGECD
7. 1B Yufu
8. C Itoh 3EDDBDD
9. LF Shunta 2EEBBDD

Projected Rotation
RHP Kaneko
RHP Nishi 149 BB 5SLD 3CHG
LHP MacLane 147 CC 2CUT 2CB 2CHG
LHP Nakayama 147 EB 1CUT 4CB 1CHG
RHP Kondoh 149 EC 1HSLD 1CB 3SNK
RHP Tonny (R) 153 FB 3SLD 2SHU

Projected Bullpen
RHP (CL) Hirano 156 CE 4SLD 5FORK
RHP Tsukahara 152 CD 2SLD 5SFF
LHP Kaida 150 BB 5CUT 2CHG
RHP Fukuzawa 146 DE 2SLD 3CCHG 2HSHU
RHP Satoh 155 ED 3HSLD 3VSLD
RHP Akada 152 CC 2CB 4CCHG 3SNK

The Buffaloes have one of the strongest lineups in the Pacific League, and we could easily see this team go for a high playoff seed in the Pacific, competing with the Bears and Lions for first. The rotation and bullpen are both above average as well, so this team is loaded for the next couple of years. Their first baseman, Yufu, was by far the best pick of the amateur draft this season, and he should compete for rookie of the year and he is capable of batting .300 with 20 homers. Bottom line, Buffaloes are a shoe-in for the playoffs.

Chiba Lotte Marines 2016 Preview

3 Key Stars

SP Yuki Karakawa, R/R, 26 years old, 8 years pro, 147/B(76)/A(80)/HSLD(4)/CB(2)/CHG(3)
3B Kakuzo Hirota, R/R, 22 years old, Rookie, 3/B(70)/E(49)/C(60)/S(100)/B(70)/B(79)
OF Shota Ishimine, R/R, 27 years old, 5 years pro, 3/D(57)/D(53)/A(90)/C(66)/C(66)/D(55)


Projected Lineup
1. LF Okada 1DFACAA
2. RF Ishimine
3. DH Whitesell 3DBFDEF
4. 1B Baker 3CACCEC
5. SS Toritani 3CDCCBA
6. 3B K.Hirota
7. 2B Miyatake 2CEEDDD
8. C Sumitani 4EDDBCD
9. CF T.Ogino 2EEACBD

Projected Rotation
LHP Naruse 149 BA 3SLD 1CB 4SNK
RHP Karakawa
LHP Fujioka 154 CC 3SLD 2CB 4VSLD
LHP Nakaushiro 151 EC 6SLD 3CB
RHP Ohtani 148 CC 2CUT 2CB
RHP Yaka 152 CA 4SCB 4SHU

Projected Bullpen
RHP (CL) Carlos 157 CE 4SLD 3FORK
RHP Masuda 149 DD 2SLD 2FORK 3SHU
RHP Nakagoh 148 DE 3SLD 3VSLD
LHP Noro 143 EE 1HSLD 1CB 3SFF
RHP Komatsubara 146 EE 2SLD 3CHG 2HSHU
RHP Itoh 151 DE 4VSLD 1SHU

The Marines are a strong team, but the question is whether they are strong enough to make the playoffs in the Pacific League or not. The lineup is strong, and the rotation is decent, but the bullpen is a weak spot and other teams could exploit it. The bullpen is very young and lacks a dominant closer, so making a move for one would be a good idea for the Marines to make a push in the loaded Pacific League. The lineup lacks power throughout besides Whitesell and Baker, so the inability to put up a homer throughout the order could be the downfall for the Marines.

so is Puig's lol

Marines look really strong all-around, zero Big Names but a ridiculous amount of depth up and down that lineup and rotation (and really good defense too, save for Miyatake [who's still average at worst] at second). looks like a playoff-caliber team to me.

maybe they should consider a trade for Asao, the Dragons closer? looks like a perfect match, assuming Chiba Lotte has some young talent they'd be willing to offer

Kyoto Whalers 2016 Preview

3 Key Stars

SP Seiichi Murakami, L/L, 22 years old, 4 years pro, 131/C(69)/C(66)/HSLD(7)/SNK(3)/HSHU(3)
C Hideki Matsuara, R/R, 22 years old, 4 years pro, 4/B(78)/B(75)/C(63)/D(56)/A(88)/B(76)
SS Joben Nagano, R/R, 26 years old, 4 years pro, 4/C(65)/A(88)/E(48)/D(51)/C(65)/A(83)

Projected Lineup
1. 1B Hirano 4DDBEDC
2. CF Soma 2CCCDEF
3. C Matsuara
4. SS Nagano
5. DH Sanda 3CDEDEF
6. RF Nose 2CDDADD
7. LF Ise 2CDEEBD
8. 2B Watanuki 3EDEECB
9. 3B Maito 3EBGCCE

Projected Rotation
LHP Murakami
RHP Ishijima 138 EA 5DCB
RHP Hamamoto 128 DB 2CB 2VSLD 2CCHG 3HSHU
RHP Khao 140 AA 5KNCB
RHP Bill 145 FC 4CUT 1CHG
LHP Will 152 GB 4CUT 1CB

Projected Bullpen
LHP (CL) Foot 137 EF 2CUT 1CB 2CHG
RHP Sonoki (R) 145 EE 2CB 2VSLD
RHP Onodera 138 CC 2FORK 2ORIGSNK
RHP Tejada 128 DD 1ORIGSNK 5HSHU
RHP Beltory 137 EF 2CUT 2CHG
LHP E.Lopez 140 CC 4SNK

The Whalers have a weak lineup besides Matsuara and Nagano, and a weak pitching staff besides Murakami, Ishhijima, and Khao, so I don't see them going anywhere this year. Murakami is coming off a year where his ERA was in the low 2's, so he hopes to improve to a sub-2 ERA this season. Nagano also hit 40 bombs last year, so he would like to improve on that. If the Whalers could add a couple impact players, this would be a capable team, but at the moment, in the stacked Pacific League, they don't have a chance.

Lol I didn't notice that Puig's was that low, whoops.

And yeah that'd be a good move to pull off, but there's a 1% chance the CPU is that smart to make a trade for him.

I think you're overestimating the intelligence of the Power Pros AI

although, I suppose this is 2012, so maybe the AI is somewhat smarter ??? i dunno, I've barely explored season mode lol

Nippon-Ham Fighters 2016 Preview

3 Key Stars

1B Mamoru Suechii, L/L, 22 years old, 3 years pro, 4/C(63)/B(78)/C(64)/E(43)/E(49)/D(59)
OF Dai-Kang Yoh, R/R, 29 years old, 10 years pro, 4/C(67)/D(54)/A(80)/B(73)/C(65)/C(60)
OF Yoshio Itoi, R/R, 34 years old, 12 years pro, 3/B(73)/D(58)/A(83)/B(78)/C(63)/E(42)

Projected Lineup
1. RF Itoi
2. CF Yoh
3. 2B Tanaka 2DECEBB
4. DH Nakata 4DBDCDE
5. 1B Suechii
6. C Ohno 3EEEBCC
7. LF Murata 1EEADCD
8. SS Nakashima 2FFBDCD
9. 3B Nishikawa 2EEBDEE

Projected Rotation
RHP Saitoh 148 DC 3CUT 3VSLD 1CHG
LHP Yoshikawa 155 FB 3SLD 3CB
LHP Yagi 141 EC 3SLD 1FORK 3SNK
RHP Moriuchi 147 DC 3SLD 2CB 3CHG
RHP Masui 155 CC 2SLD 1CB 5FORK
LHP Ibata (R) 145 CA 3CUT 5PALM

Projected Bullpen
LHP (CL) Miyanishi 150 BE 5CB 3SFF
RHP Izumi 152 DD 1SLD 4CB 1CCHG
RHP Sakakibara 148 BD 4SLD 2FORK 2VSLS
RHP Tanimoto 154 CD 3SLD 1CUT 2CHG
LHP Nemoto 148 ED 4SLD 3FORK
RHP Kawabe 147 CE 3CB 3SNK

The Fighters are a decent overall team, but their rotation is too weak to take them anywhere. Their lineup is solid with Itoi, Yoh, Nakata, and Suechii, but it's not deep enough. Their bullpen is also pretty solid with a legitimate closer in Miyanishi. They lack a legitimate ace, though Masui and Ibata have the potential to develop into one, so maybe we'll see the Fighters improving in the future, but Ibata is said to already be in decline even though he was drafted in the Advanced Draft this season. We'll probably see the Fighters compete for 4th or 5th in the Pacific League and miss the playoffs.

You should give it a try if you still have it, once you get to know what is what it's really fun, plus it has a lot of depth compared to the American versions.

Rakuten Golden Eagles 2016 Preview

3 Key Stars

SP Masahiro Tanaka, R/R, 27 years old, 9 years pro, 157/B(78)/A(91)/HSLD(5)/SFF(5)/SHU(1)
C/1B Masato Kurihara, R/R, 23 years old, 3 years pro, 4/C(68)/S(100)/A(87)/C(65)/D(54)/C(65)
SS Tetsuza Shichijyo, R/R, 21 years old, Rookie, 3/B(71)/A(81)/A(80)/B(71)/C(65)/C(65)

Projected Lineup
1. CF Hijirisawa 2CDADBC
2. 2B Uchimura 1CEADBC
3. SS Shichijyo
4. C Kurihara
5. 3B Itoh 3BDGDBF
6. DH Yokogawa 4ECDCEE
7. 1B Masuda 4EDEDFE
8. RF Makida 3EDCBCC
9. LF Nakamura 2DECDDC

Projected Rotation
RHP Tanaka
LHP Shiomi 150 EB 3CB 4FORK 2SNK
RHP Nagai 146 DB 3SLD 2DCB 5SFF
RHP Uezono 146 DC 4DCB 4SFF
LHP Katayama 152 CC 4SLD 5SHU
RHP Tomura 148 EC 2SLD 4VSLD

Projected Bullpen
RHP (CL) Mima 155 DD 3SLD 1FORK
RHP Matsui 143 EE 2FORK 3SHU
RHP Fukawa 161 DC 4DROP 3SHU
RHP Yoshimitsu 152 EE 3SLD 3SLV
RHP Akihara 147 DD 2SLD 3CB 1HSHU
RHP Aoyama 150 CD 2HSLD 4VSLD

The Golden Eagles look like a very good team on paper this season. They look like they have the rotation, and core of a lineup to go to the playoffs. We'll see how much improvement the team makes from adding #1 overall Advanced Draft pick, Shichijyo to their lineup. They have two guys capable of batting .300 and bashing 30 homers and getting 30 steals, and they habe pitchers like Masahiro Tanaka who will strike out 200. Their bullpen is very weak however, and could use some improvements if they want to go somewhere this season.

I do still have it, so maybe this summer I'll try to get back into it ? from the very little I've played it it seems really fun

It is, especially once you get it into the scouting, and sending players to overseas training and stuff