{"playerId":4503,"percentChange":0,"averageDraftPosition":260,"percentOwned":0.4,"playerRaterSEASON":-1.7,"fullName":"Hisashi Iwakuma","seasonOutlook":{"outlook":"After failing to agree to a deal with Oakland once the Athletics won the right to negotiate with him in 2010, Iwakuma returned to Japan for the 2011 campaign. In the offseason, he signed with Seattle as an international free agent. Iwakuma was second only to Yu Darvish amongst Japanese starting pitchers. His calling card is a nasty forkball, and it will be critical to see if he can dominate MLB hitters with the pitch like he did overseas. His spot in the Mariners' rotation is secure, though there is some injury concern. Last season, while hurling for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles, he suffered a shoulder ailment, costing him two-and-a-half months, but he returned in August and finished the season without incident. That said, Iwakuma has had a history of shoulder woes dating back to 2005, attributed to trouble adapting to new rules that affected his throwing motion. We shall see if the added workload and travel in the States induces a recurrence of his shoulder soreness. Assuming health, the combination of having hitters unaccustomed to his motion, an excellent forkball and a favorable home park with an above-average defense backing him makes Iwakuma an excellent late draft flyer. Just be prepared to move on if the long season takes its toll.","seasonId":2012,"date":"Wed Feb 15"},"playerRater30DAY":-2.3,"playerRater15DAY":-1.4,"positionRank":150}