NPB teams like foreign players with Japan experience

The 2009 season seems to be one where foreign players in Japanese baseball are getting a second — or third — chance to prove they can still produce.

So far, three Japanese teams have brought in imported players since the beginning of the year, and all have had previous experience in the Central or Pacific League. The recycled players are infielder-outfielder Jose Ortiz with the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks, third baseman Scott McClain with the Hiroshima Carp and first baseman Craig Brazell with the Hanshin Tigers.

Ortiz was fished out of Mexico by the Hawks and has been one of the leading hitters for Softbank since his return to Japan in late April and a big reason the Hawks are in first place in the ongoing interleague tournament.