Hisashi Iwakuma: Star Pitcher is Going to Hollywood

The Los Angeles Dodgers add to their rotation by signing veteran pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma. Would the change of scenery make for a better 2016 campaign?

The Los Angeles Dodgers continue to make big moves this offseason, and it looks like they are just getting started. The front office knew they needed to find one or two starting pitchers to replace the departing Zack Greinke and solidify the rotation. After the two or three big names were off the board, the Dodgers went after and signed former Seattle Mariners pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma to a three-year deal. How will he fare in the National League West in 2016? 

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Iwakuma spent four years with the Mariners. He also spent 11 seasons with in the Japan Pacific League. In those 11 years, he averaged a 3.25 ERA and 1.20 WHIP with 1175 strikeouts, 342 walks, and 107-69 win-loss record. He then came over to the West Coast and lit up the stat board here, too.

In his four seasons with Seattle, he averaged a 3.17 ERA and 1.08 WHIP with a 47-25 record, 551 strikeouts and 127 walks. His best season came in 2013, when he finished with a 2.66 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 185 strikeouts. He was voted to the All-Star game and finished third in the Cy Young voting.

Hisashi Iwakuma got off to a slow start. He had a 5.10 ERA after eight starts. He was able to settle down and post a 2.63 ERA in his final 12 starts. He missed all of May and June with shoulder injuries.

He posted a 17.4 K-BB percentage and 50.4 ground ball percentage, both in line with his career average. While he isn’t one to rely on a high velocity, he trusts his defense enough to get the put outs. There were some negatives, though. He had a 15.3 HR/FB percentage and 1.2 HR/9. Dodger Stadium favored neither hitters nor pitchers this season, but with those high numbers, that could change in 2016.

He will also be facing some tough offenses. Three of the four NL West teams finished in the top 10 in batting average. The other, San Diego Padres, finished last in the league.

The Dodgers needed to fill a void in their rotation and they couldn’t afford to wait too long. Hisashi Iwakuma was a good No. 2 or 3 guy with Seattle. Now, he will be in Los Angeles for his age-35 through age-37 campaigns, not the prime of most careers.

Next: Brian McCann: Top Five Catcher Again in 2016

Hisashi Iwakuma was drafted in the 12th round of most ESPN leagues last year, as the 32nd starting pitcher. Now, he’s going to another team with low-scoring offenses, Dodgers ranked 19th and Mariners ranked 21st in runs scored, Iwakuma’s value takes a bit of a hit. He finished 45th among starters on the Player Rater and has dealt with some injuries over the last two seasons. I would look elsewhere for a starting pitcher next season.

Projections: 11-9 record, 3.51 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 133 strikeouts

Draft: Round 15