We have acquired two new pitcher prospects from Japan's professional leagues. 

Okamoto is a veteran who played in Japan's major for 10 years as a starter and reliever.  As a reliever, he pitched along side with Otsuka of the Texas Rangers contributing to the Kintetsu Buffaloes League Champion year.  Okamoto was a primary setupper took care of the innings proceeding the closer, Otsuka. 

Kobayashi played for Lotte Marines in Japan, and after being released, he pitched as a batting practice pitcher for the Chunichi Dragons, a Japan's major team. 

Akira Okamoto

Last name	Okamoto
First Name	Akira
Position	Pitcher
Ht	6’0”
Wt	190
Throw	R
Bats	R
Birth Date	5/3/1973
Nationality	Japan
Type of Pitches	Side Arm - 4 seamer, 2 seamer Curb, Slider, Sinker
Ave Velocity (05)	87-91
Video	Okamoto Pitching 06

Games Stats- Japan

Year	G	CG	No Runs	No Walks	W	L	Ｓ	WP	AB	Innings	H	HR	BB	HB	SO	R	ER	ERA
97	30	3	1	0	10	6	0	.625	610	146・2/3	138	14	50	8	84	53	46	2.82
98	30	4	2	0	8	13	0	.381	686	158	167	22	52	9	93	77	71	4.04
99	27	5	1	0	9	12	0	.429	708	159・2/3	187	19	50	10	88	92	85	4.79
00	9	1	0	0	0	2	0	.000	119	25	35	5	10	1	10	21	21	7.56
01	61	0	0	0	4	4	8	.500	423	102・1/3	86	8	33	3	73	33	31	2.73
02	65	0	0	0	7	2	18	.777	276	69・1/3	57	6	12	2	41	14	14	1.82
03	45	0	0	0	1	3	2	.250	152	34	43	6	8	2	24	19	18	4.76
04	4	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	5	3.0	6	2	2	0	2	2	2	9.00
Total	271	13	4	0	39	42	30	.481	2979	698	719	82	217	35	415	311	288	3.71

In 2005, he did not pitch in the major and the stats 05 from the minor is unknown at this point.  

  Ryokan Kobayashi

Last name	Kobayashi
First Name	Ryokan
Position	Pitcher
Ht	6’3”
Wt	195
Throw	R
Bats	R
Birth Date	4/28/1979
Nationality	Japan
Type of Pitches	4 seamer, 2 seamer Curb, Slider, Change-up
Ave Velocity	88-91
Video	Kobayashi 06

Games Stats- Japan

Year	G	W	L	Innings	H	HR	BB	HB	SO	ER	ERA
98	11	3	2	35	37	3	14	2	16	15	3.00
99	13	1	1	37・1/3	39	1	15	1	22	20	3.75
00	12	1	0	18・1/3	20	2	16	2	8	17	6.49
01	24	2	2	55・1/3	74	8	30	3	45	43	5.44
02	18	1	2	33・1/3	41	8	19	1	11	33	6.93
Total	78	8	7	180・1/3	211	22	94	9	102	128	4.97