Yomiuri Giants add Jin Nakatani, Yoshihito Ishii, and Takaya Kobayashi
by Gen on Dec.06, 2011 @ 5:05 pm, under NPB
According to Sponichi, the Yomiuri Giants are close to finalizing contracts with former Rakuten Eagle Jin Nakatani (32) and former Seibu Lion Yoshihito Ishii (33).
The Giants see Nakatani as a possible replacement for the departing Kazunari Tsuruoka. Regarding Ishii, they like that he can play first and third and feel he can provide the team with a left-handed presence off the bench.
UPDATE @ 5:28pm - Daily Sports is reporting the Giants held a press conference to introduce Nakatani and Ishii today. Nakatani was assigned the number 58, Ishii the number 33.
UPDATE @ 9:21pm - The Giants also signed former Chunichi Dragon Ikusei Takaya Kobayashi (27) to an Ikusei deal today.
The Giants have posted an announcement on all three deals at their official website.
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2011 Season - Jin Nakatani
| Level | G | PA | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | TB | RBI | SB | CS | SH | SF | BB | IBB | HP | SO | GDP | AVG | SLG | OBP |
| Ichi-gun | 11 | 23 | 22 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | .091 | .227 | .091 |
| Ni-gun | 27 | 58 | 41 | 5 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 11 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 11 | 0 | .293 | .317 | .340 |
2011 Season - Yoshihito Ishii
| Level | G | PA | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | TB | RBI | SB | CS | SH | SF | BB | IBB | HP | SO | GDP | AVG | SLG | OBP |
| Ichi-gun | 12 | 20 | 19 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | .105 | .105 | .150 |
| Ni-gun | 79 | 286 | 233 | 31 | 74 | 10 | 2 | 3 | 97 | 22 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 48 | 1 | 2 | 31 | 3 | .318 | .416 | .435 |