With the World Baseball Classic looming in March, slugging second baseman Tetsuto Yamada is facing a huge challenge — not only to hit against the best pitchers in the world, but to do so while negotiating a new position.
The 2015 Central League MVP, Yamada is arguably Japan's best player. The problem for him and for Samurai Japan manager Hiroki Kokubo is Hiroshima Carp star Ryosuke Kikuchi, a competent offensive performer who may be the world's best-fielding second baseman.
Since his first season as a regular in 2013, Kikuchi has dominated the annual Golden Glove voting and is a lock to make it four straight when the awards are announced Tuesday.