Fukudome shows versatility

April 1st, 2008 at 10:50am Matt Trowbridge

Cubs fans were excited about signing Kosuke Fukudome because of his versatility; he’s the proverbial five-tool player who can hit, hit for average, run, throw and field. And, in the rarest of all Cub abilities, he works the count and takes walks. The Cubs need all the high on-base percentage guys they can get. Sure enough, Fukudome had one of the Cubs’ four walks in his 3-for-3 opening day (rookie catcher Geovany Soto had two, so maybe the Cubs’ finally have a couple of newcomers who can change their free-swinging culture). But, conversely, I also liked that Fukudome doubled on the very first pitch thrown to him in the Major Leagues. Yes, it’s great to have patience, as anyone who saw Shawon Dunston chase fastballs at his eyeballs knows. But it’s even better when your patient hitters are unpredictable. Fukudome showed he’s not just looking for walks; he’s looking for a good pitch to hit, and he’ll hit it whenever he gets it. Even if it’s the very first pitch. That will keep him from falling behind in the count. And, as Ted Williams always said, the entire key to hitting is getting a good pitch to hit.

Entry Filed under: Fukudome