Takayoshi Kawabata, the old rookie of Buffaloes.

It is said that this year is "hit year" of rookie players in NPB. There are many candidates of rookie of the year in 2012. Especially, many hopeful players in the Pacific League are going to bloom for the future.

It is also true for the player who was picked up in 71th for all 72th player in Draft 2011. Takayoshi Kawabata, Orix's outfielder, is the man.

The 27 years old hitter is the last player who was member of Japan university national team in 2007. The members was consist of all professional players in the future. Kishi, Ohtonari, Ohbiki, Aranami, Chono, and so on. All of players head to the NPB. (members list: http://www.jubf.net/us/jp_member35.html)

His .282BA is 9th of the league in 9/15. Though he need to add .018BA, if the rookie hitter finish the season above .300BA, it will be first time since 1986, when Kazuhiro Kiyohara achieved it. To cross the border .300 is too high wall for rookie hitters, but the old rookie is about to challenge it.

And if the rookie hitter take rookie of the year, he is the first player in the Pacific League since 1998 when Tatsuya Ozeki (4th year, but he had qualification of the honor) had it. And it will be also for first time since 1997 when Makoto Kosaka, the real rookie hitter who is 1st year round player, achieve it.

The key phrase for him may "stable". He has sure batting mechanics, and solid defense for outfield.

In batting, the stats indicate that he is spray hitter. The BA to right field is the highest of all, .301(22 for 73). It is higher than left .279(36 for 129) and center .281(47 for 167). And his first pitch BA is .429(24 for 56).

He is not absolutely slugger and will not be part of clean up in the future. But he can contribute for the team in any ways. He will be regular player of the team for long time.