Craig Brazell doing fine in Japan

by James Quinn on Jul 24, 2008 12:36 PM EDT Comment 15 comments

Last year Craig Brazell (1B) played for the Royals. In 135 minor league games he hit 39 homeruns and drove in 91 RBIs. These numbers attracted Royals fans when they were compared to Ross Gload's production at first base. Some of us were very happy to see him finally called up to the major league club in September when rosters expanded. Sadly Buddy Bell only gave him five plate apperances that month and in the off season Brazell was not retained. He signed to play in Japan for the Lions in 2008 where he makes this much money - "1-oku." I have no idea how much that is. Maybe someone can help out here.

Anyway, given the Royals stuggles at the plate this year I decided to check in on Brazell, to see how well he was doing in Japan. It is surprisingly difficult to find Japanese player statitics! Anyway, here is what I think I learned:

via www.seibulions.jp

He has a pretty cool player card. And he looks happy in these pictures.

via www.seibulions.jp

Apparently he is well liked by the Lion's fans. While at the ballpark you can buy a special meal which I believe is called the Brazell Homerun Lunchbox. Here is a picture of Craig eating with great vigor:

via www.seibulions.jp

Craig is also enjoying his visits to home plate. In 91 games he is only hitting .248 but has already collected 24 homeruns and 67 RBIs.

So, good for Craig.

If you get a chance to see Craig play in Japan be sure to wear your Royals gear and cheer him on. If you are still hungary after your Brazell Homerun Lunchbox meal you might want to order this item as well: Octopus balls of happiness

1 recs | Comment 15 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Bring him back!

Sign him to an extension!

Seriously, good for him.

A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.

by NHZ on Jul 24, 2008 12:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I think I found out how much he is earning,

About $900K. So good for him. It is more than twice what he would have earned had the Royals kept him.

www.rockchalktalk.com for pretty good KU baseball coverage

by James Quinn on Jul 24, 2008 1:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i wonder how much he's paying in taxes...

by royalsreview on Jul 24, 2008 4:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You asked for it

Japanese Tax Rates Tax Base (Yen) Tax
1 – 1,950,000 5%
1,950,001-3,300,000 10%
3,300,001 – 6,950,000 20% of base exceeding 3,300,000
6,950,001-9,000,000 23% of base exceeding 6,950,000
9,000,001 – 18,000,000 33% of base exceeding 9,000,000
18,000,001 and over 40% of base exceeding 18,000,000

1. The rates above are before 6% Japan municipal tax. And 4% prefectural tax, 10% in total.
   2. Japan's individual income tax rates including local taxes are among the highest tax rates in the world. The effective top marginal tax rate is around 50%.
   3. Non residents pay for salary income in Japan 20%.

Who cares about RBI's, how many HDB's you got?

by kcscoliny on Jul 24, 2008 4:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good for Craig

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Jul 24, 2008 1:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

this is funny

because just last night i spent like half an hour trying to find his stats…

by royalsreview on Jul 24, 2008 4:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

It was not easy!

I finally tracked them down by translating the Lions homepage into English with Google. I never could find his OBP or his Slugging. This is all very surprising considering how statically obsessed Japanese baseball fans tend to be. I just assumed I would have no trouble finding the information.

www.rockchalktalk.com for pretty good KU baseball coverage

by James Quinn on Jul 24, 2008 4:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I thought I heard

He really wanted to stay in the US to try and break into the majors, but couldn’t logically do it with the money being offered (2+ years worth of league minimum).

by Top Ramen on Jul 24, 2008 5:54 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

If only Japanese stats reliably translated to the majors

Tuffy Rhodes, Fukudome and Kaz Matsui have shown that they often don’t.

This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.

by NYRoyal on Jul 24, 2008 8:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Fukudome has played pretty well actually.

by djk royal on Jul 24, 2008 9:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

What I said was that the stats aren't translating

In Japan: .294/.443/.520/.963
In MLB: .277/.382/.405/.787

Going from minor league quality competition in Japan to the majors, his power has evaporated almost entirely (so far). Clearly success in Japan does not necessarily mean success in the majors. And that was my point. I didn’t say that success in Japan means complete failure in the majors. Similarly, if Brazell came back to the majors, his stats would likely freefall.

This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.

by NYRoyal on Jul 24, 2008 9:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

They do translate

Its just not 1-1. I think everyone knows that. I think Brazell could be a useful MLBer. Maybe not a starter, but a decent bat off the bench. I’m not crying that he’s gone, but I do think he could outhit Gload.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Jul 24, 2008 11:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Japan is somewhere between AA and AAA

There are major league quality players there, and AAA quality, and AA quality and A quality players. So, as with any minor league player, you never know how well their minor league (or Japanese) success will translate to the majors. Some will be terrific failures (like Kaz Matsui), some will be terrific successes (like Ichiro) and some will be mediocre (Fukudome so far).

This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.

by NYRoyal on Jul 24, 2008 11:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs