Future Watch: Kenta Maeda Baseball Rookie Cards, Dodgers – He isn’t your average major league rookie. Kenta Maeda  is 28-years old, and was born in Osaka, Japan. He had a professional baseball career before he landed in Los Angeles. But in the eyes of MLB, he’s still a rookie in the same fashion that Ichiro was.

This talented righty has shades of Hideo Nomo in him. That former Dodger had a similar windup and he fanned batters the same way Maeda seems to. He’s struck out 51 batters in 57 innings with a 4-3 record and a nice 3.00 ERA in his first 10 games.

This hurler is also a decent hitter. In eight seasons for Hiroshima he had two homers and 27 RBI. He already has one dinger and two RBI in the majors. When he hit his home run, in his debut, he seemed embarrassed. He had an awkward smile when his teammates lined up to shake his hand. It was a sign of respect and it shows the differences in Japanese culture and their league.

Kenta Maeda no has several MLB licensed rookie baseball cards. However, his most popular is easily his 2016 Bowman Baseball CardsChrome Prospect Autograph is card #CPA-KM. Collector’s should note that it is a redemption card. It’s highly sought after in this country and in the land of the rising sun.

Kenta Maeda has LIVE autographs in the all-new 2016 Topps Archives Baseball Cards as well as in 2016 Topp Gypsy Queen Baseball Cards.

Here’s a look at how he fared in the Japan All-Star Series:

Here’s a scouting report on the sure-fire star:

Kenta Maeda Scouting Report

In a loss to the New York Mets last month he pitched a solid six against Noah Syndergaard in front of his home crowd. The Mets pitcher hit two home runs against the phenom. That’s something that won’t happen very much this season.

He’s in the running for the National League Rookie of the Year Award. The Dodgers have no equal in that arena as they have the most in the game. Maeda hasn’t snuck up on anybody. He’s doing what he was born to do.

Future Watch: Kenta Maeda Baseball Rookie Cards, Dodgers – Image Gallery

 

Future Watch: Kenta Maeda Baseball Rookie Cards, Dodgers
Russ Cohen

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