Who will be part of Saitama Seibu's closer in 2013?

The Saitama Seibu has been lacking a trustful closer for a few years. 10 years ago, they had Kiyoshi Toyoda who acquired the title of relievers. If there are the ranking of the team historical pitchers, he will be ranked high place as a best closer of the team. He earned 38 save with 0.78ERA and 0.61WHiP in 2002, and earned 38 save with 1.24ERA and 0.79WHIP in 2003. And Shinji Mori, Chikara Onodera were also earned around 30 save point as a closer of the Saitama Seibu.

But nowadays, they has been seeking relievers who can put it as trustful closer. The lack of the position made them miss to clinch the pennant of league from 2009 to 2012. In 2011, they used Kazuhisa Makita who was rookie submarine as a closer. In this year, they converted their ace, Hideaki Wakui, from starter to the position. Both of them completed the task of closer, but their "real place" to be set is starter. They will be able to earn around 15 wins.

It is said that there are some candidate for closer of the team. Hisanobu Watanabe, the manager of the team, said the closer will be Japanese because of thinking long span. It's not absolutely discrimination, but just team strategy for long time to be more stable strong team.

The first one is Ken Togame. He was rookie RHP of the team in 2012, and has 150km/h fastball, "nasty slider", and sinker. He earned 6 wins and 41 SO in 41 games and 53 IP with 1.23 WHIP, 2.72 ERA. He need more accurate command for each balls (17 BB and 3 HBP) so that he will be part of more severe situation which must not any miss pitch. If he earn it, the other team need to add or earn runs until the 8th inning.

The second candidate is Tatsuya Ohishi. He was the former No.1 player of the draft in 2010, but he just earned 1 wins and 24 SO in 24 games and 36 IP, with 1.42 WHIP and 2.75 ERA. It mean he just "start" his professional career, but he was the closer of Waseda university. His total stats in there was 10 wins and 217 SO in 60 games (his starting games were just only 3 games) and 155 IP, with 0.87 WHIP and 1.63 ERA. Hisanobu Watanabe also said his development in fall training was amazing, and it was good stuff for the team.

If they can fix the important position, it will be make them close to the league championship in 2013.