The Revs turned to Japan to find their latest outfielder, signing former Yokohama Baystars prospect Kazunori Tanaka Wednesday.
Tanaka supposedly can hit with Ichiro-type contact. But in his five seasons in Yokohama, he batted just .229.
So why did the Revs take a chance on a player from so far away?
He has big-time potential.
At 5-foot-6, he isn't going to provide much pop in the lineup. But the Revs have built a speed team. And he fits right in with Peter Bergeron, Vic Gutierrez and Travis Hake.
Another thing to remember with Tanaka is he's only 25. After making his Japanese big league debut at 19, he could have a lot of years left in baseball.
"Maybe (part-time coach) Al Bumbry can bring something to table that gets him to the big leagues," Revs Director of Baseball Operations Adam Gladstone said. "If he could play over there (at such a young age), maybe a different philosophy might help him get to the major leagues."
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