Former pitcher will take the spot of 1B in the opening day.

This 2014 year will be 2nd season for him as a batter, and it also will be 8th year for him as a professional baseball player. This year may be his turning point for him on his baseball career.

Fumikazu Kimura, former No.1 drafted player, finished his preseason games with good lines; 15 games, 42 AB, 13 hits, 1 double, 2 triples, 1 HR, 5 RBIs, 5 SB, .500 SLG, .431 OBP, and .310 BA. This .310 is 10th on all players in preseason.

Any way, can you believe that this stats were created by a player who had been pitcher until 2 years ago?

He drafted in 2006 as a No.1 player in the Saitama Seibu. His fastball notched 152km/h (95mph), and appeared 2 1games in 2011. But his command couldn't be better, and couldn't get any chance as a pitcher by injuries. These elements and his great slugger sense made him convert from the mound to the plate.

His massive training as a batter connected the result soon. In 5/13/2013, he smashed two out-of-the-park homer from Shohei Otani on a farm game. And he also marked first career homerun at Yokohama in 5/28/2013.

The spark couldn't continue until the end of season in 2013, but it will be about to fascinate baseball fans in 2014.