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| Height: 6-0
Weight: 187
Throws: R
Bats: L Born: Apr 26, 1977, Osaki, Contract: Signed through 2011 |
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November 13, 2008 The Chicago Cubs are moving Kosuke Fukudome from right field to center field, and he will be a platoon player with Reed Johnson to start next season, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. Our View:Fukudome was a bust last year, and will be an expensive part-time player, as he signed a $44 million deal last winter. |
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November 6, 2008 Kosuke Fukudome may not emerge from the off-season as a starter as the Cubs have let it be known that they are looking for a power upgrade at the outfield position, according to the Chicago Tribune. Our View:Fukudome hit .296 through the end of June which made his lack of power bearable, but when he hit .207 from July on, the team realized it might have a problem. Unfortunately, Fukudome is owed $38 million the next three years, an awfully high price tag for a bench player, and probably a prohibitive total in terms of being able to move him in a trade. |
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October 7, 2008 Cubs outfielder Kosuke Fukudome will have some form of competition for the starting job in right field next spring, according to the Chicago Tribune. He claims that he is confident despite his struggles the second half of the year, and as for fans booing him, he didn't seem to mind, proclaiming, "it was good that fans are very honest and straight." Our View:Fukudome was flat awful the second half of the season, and he still has three years and $36 million remaining on his contract. Chicago is expected to try and acquire someone in free agency to challenge their expensive import. |
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October 4, 2008 Kosuke Fukudome is not in the lineup Saturday as manager Lou Pinella promised, according to the Arlington Daily Herald. The outfielder is 0-for-8 with four strikeouts in the two games versus LA. "Let's not worry about Fukudome right now," Piniella said. "Let's worry about the team, and let's worry about what's best for the team. I think too much is being made of the point whether this guy's playing or that guy isn't playing. This is a team. And I'm going to play Fontenot (tonight). He's been swinging the bat well." Our View:We'd be surprised if Fukudome makes another start in the playoffs even if the Cubs rally to beat the Dodgers. |
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October 3, 2008 Cubs outfielder Kosuke Fukudome has been so bad, even the PA announcer at O'Hare Airport is having fun at his expense, according to the Chicago Tribune. Over the loudspeaker, this is what the announcer blared out: "Paging Kosuke Fukudome, paging Kosuke Fukudome ... Please report to the Cincinnati Reds. You have been traded for a player to be named later." Our View:You know it's rough when you're the public butt of jokes in large airports. Cubs manager Lou Piniella has basically given up on him after the Japanese import when 0-8 with four strikeouts, saying he was out of the lineup. |
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October 3, 2008 Cubs manager Lou Piniella said that outfielder Kosuke Fukudome will not play Game 3 of the NLDS, according to the Baltimore Sun. "The kid's struggling. There's no point in putting him out there anymore," Piniella remarked. Our View:Fukudome is 0-for-8 in the series, and has struck out in half of his at-bats. The Japanese import signed a deal worth $48 million over four years, but really struggled this season, and if he doesn't improve next season, he'll be labeled a bust. |
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September 27, 2008 For the first time since August 24th Kosuke Fukudome hit a home run in the Cubs' 7-3 win over the Brewers. The long ball was his 10th of the year. Our View:Fukudome started the 2008 season on fire but he is definately limping to the finish line. His average has dropped all the way down to .257. |
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September 23, 2008 Kosuke Fukudome had two hits in three at-bats with a double and an RBI, though it was not enough as the Cubs lost to the Mets, 6-2. Our View:Fukudome has been limping towards the finish for some time, but his average is back up over .260 for the time being. |
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September 21, 2008 Kosuke Fukudome had two hits on Sunday, one his 24th double of the year, and he also scored a run. Our View:After a good start to the year, Fukudome has seen his average fall with monthly marks of .305, .293, .264, .236, .193 and September's .172. If he keeps this up much longer, he likely won't be seeing much time come playoff time for the Cubs. |
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September 16, 2008 Kosuke Fukudome has not played for three consecutive games, and it appears that he will continue to ride the pine the for much of the remainder of the season, according to Scout.com. Our View:Fukudome simply hasn't been able to hit the ball since June, which precipitated his lack of playing time. With three more years and $36 million remaining on his contract, the situation bears watching into next season. |
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September 11, 2008 Kosuke Fukudome returned to the Cubs' lineup Wednesday after riding the pine for three straight games and five of the last six, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. Our View:It is possible that Fukudome is suffering from fatigue as the MLB season is longer than he is used to while playing in Japan. |
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September 6, 2008 Kosuke Fukudome missed his third straight start on Saturday as the Cubs routed the Reds. Micah Hoffpauir took his place again. Our View:Fukudome hit just .193 in August and is just 1-for-9 in September. His replacement, Hoffpauir, is hitting .368 in 21 games. |
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September 2, 2008 Cubs outfielder Kosuke Fukudome was given the night off on Tuesday, as he is just 16-for-87 (.184) in his last 29 games, according to MLB.com. Our View:It was time for fantasy owners to cut bait with Fukudome a while ago. He is offering little to no production recently. |
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August 25, 2008 Kosuke Fukudome went 3-for-4 and drove in four runs to help the Cubs blow the Pirates out of the water, 12-3. Our View:Fukudome was hitting just .159 in August before Monday's game, and he only raised that to .194 with this performance. He is struggling and fantasy players should use him with a certain amount of caution. |
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August 24, 2008 The Cubbies got an early lead and never stood in fear of losing it, pulling the 6-1 win over Washington. However, the romp presented an opportunity to put slumping Kosuke Fukudome to the test, bringing him off the bench as a pinch hitter in the 7th inning. He rewarded the trust, hitting his ninth home run of the season to drive in two. Our View:The Asian rookie hadn't seen a homer since late July and was hitting just .145 through August coming in. The hope is to see this burst lead to a reversal of fortune, though the Cubs are likely to continue limiting his playing time. |
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August 23, 2008 Manager Lou Pinella will meet with the slumping Kosuke Fukudome before Sunday's game, according to MLB.com. "I'm going to have a talk with him [Sunday] and see how we can help the young man," Piniella said. "He's struggling." Pinella added: "We'll talk about hitting, hitting mechanics, not about anything else. He's in-between. He's slightly behind the fastball and ahead of the breaking ball. Whether it's him or anybody else, you have to hit one of the two with consistency." Our View:Pinella has threatened to bench Fukudome but has yet to follow through. Perhaps that will change soon. |
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August 20, 2008 Kosuke Fukudome's poor month of August continued in the Cubs 2-1 loss to the Reds. Fukudome went 0-for-3 and left three men on base. Our View:Even though Fukudome has been warned by manager Lou Piniella to start providing some offense or he'd be benched, that hasn't held true. Fukudome is hitting all of .164 on the month but continues to see playing time. His fantasy prospects are waning quickly, and it is probably time for those in mixed leagues to look somewhere else if possible. |
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August 14, 2008 Kosuke Fukudome must be heeding Lou Piniella's warning to swing the bat or else, because he contributed to the Cubs 11-7 win over Atlanta with a 2-for-5 night, scoring two runs and getting on base another time with a walk. Our View:This is Fukudome's second consecutive 2-for-5 night, so just days after Piniella's challenge, the Japanese import has responded. |
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August 11, 2008 Kosuke Fukudome needs to find his swing soon as Lou Piniella commented that he could be dropped from the second spot in the batting order, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. Piniella said, "We have him in the 2-hole, but we need him to start hitting or we'll have to look for more options. Mike Fontenot needs to get some at-bats, Mark DeRosa has been hitting. We need Fukudome to start hitting." Our View:Fukudome is hitting only .217 (30-for-138) in his last 39 games. If he doesn't get on track soon, players like Fontenot will start taking at-bats away from him. |
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July 19, 2008 Kosuke Fukudome might be wearing down. He is hitting .152 in July with 15 whiffs to just three walks. Our View:Fukudome has gotten progressively worse in each month. If you own him, it may be time to offer him up to someone who hasn't paid attention. |
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July 11, 2008 Kosuke Fukudome did not start against the San Francisco Giants Friday, July 11, after fouling a pitch off his leg Thursday, July 10. Our View:No word yet how serious the injury is but we will keep you posted. |
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July 3, 2008 Kosuke Fukudome is just 4-for-20 since injuring his left calf last week. His OBP is just .304 in that stretch. Our View:With Reed Johnson's return from the DL, Piniella figures to rest Fukudome for a day or two. |
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June 28, 2008 Kosuke Fukudome started for the second straight game after missing two games to a calf injury. The right fielder hit at the top of the batting order and went 0-for-3 in the Cubs 6-5 loss to the White Sox. Our View:Fuku did score two runs to take his run total to 55 on the season. |
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June 27, 2008 Kosuke Fukudome is back in the starting lineup for the White Sox after missing two games to a calf injury. Our View:Fukudome is hitting leadoff for the Cubs as they visit U.S. Cellular Field. |
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June 26, 2008 Kosuke Fukudome sat out another game on Thursday due to tightness in his left calf, according to MLB.com. He ran in the outfield today, but didn't go at full speed. Our View:He didn't start for the second straight day, but the ailment is believed to be minor and he was scratched as a precaution. He could still serve as a pinch-hitter if needed today, and could be back in the starting lineup for this weekend's series against the cross-town rival White Sox at US Cellular Field. |
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June 26, 2008 Kosuke Fukudome does not need to see a doctor for the left calf tightness that forced him to miss Wednesday's game, according to the Daily Herald. Our View:The injury is not deemed as serious, and he shouldn't be out of action for long. |
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June 25, 2008 Kosuke Fukudome did not start the Cubs game on Wednesday due to a tight left calf, according to MLB.com. Hot youngster Eric Patterson will start in his place. Our View:This move is to avoid a potentially bigger issues of Fukudome really injuring himself. Look for a potentially quick return from Kosuke. |
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June 19, 2008 Kosuke Fukudome is leading off for the second straight game as the Cubs are trying to find a frontman to fill the role of the injured Alfonso Soriano. Our View:Skipper Lou Piniella said Wednesday that Kosuke Fukudome will be the Cubs' primary leadoff hitter while Alfonso Soriano is sidelined. |
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June 19, 2008 Manager Lou Piniella commented that Kosuke Fukudome will bat leadoff until Alfonso Soriano is ready to return to action, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. Piniella said, "We had a nice conversation. I just wanted to make sure Fukudome felt comfortable with it. Until we get Soriano back in the lineup, I think we'll keep Fukudome in the 1-hole." Our View:Reed Johnson had a shot to hold the leadoff spot, but Fukudome has edged him out. Fukudome holds a .296 batting average and .403 OBP, with 46 walks. He also has good speed with 15 doubles, two triples, and six stolen bases. He has scored 47 runs over 69 games, and will have a shot to score a lot more while hitting at the top of the Cubs' potent lineup. |
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June 18, 2008 Kosuke Fukudome drove in Chicago's first run with an RBI double, then scored on Theriot's single for a 2-1 lead. The Japanese import ended the day 1-for-4 from the leadoff spot. Our View:Fukudome's average has now dipped below the .300 mark. The right fielder heads into Thursday's action with a batting average of .296. |
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June 18, 2008 In a surprising chain of events, Chicago manager Lou Piniella has moved outfielder Kosuke Fukudome to the leadoff spot in the batting order, according to MLB.com. Our View:With Alfonso Soriano out with the broken hand, the team needs to replace a productive bat to keep the mood right leading off the batting efforts. Fukudome has shown such potential this season, though they are obviously losing a bit of speed in the move. |
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June 11, 2008 Kosuke Fukudome had two runs, two walks and three RBI, with two coming on his fifth home run of the season, for the Cubs. Our View:Fukudome has managed to keep his average right around .300 with a .400 OBP, but his power has been lacking, not an uncommon occurrence for a Japanese player. He has been solid, but not the difference maker many had hoped for. |
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June 10, 2008 Chicago outfielder Kosuke Fukudome is looking to get his bat on track, doing his part to support the Cubs in their 10-5 win over Atlanta. Fukudome went 2-for-5 at the plate with one RBI and one run scored, also adding his sixth stolen base of the season. Our View:Fukudome is hitting just .185 through June with just one homer and four RBIs. |
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June 6, 2008 Kosuke Fukudome hit his fourth home run of the season on Thursday night as he went 2-for-4 with two RBI against the Dodgers. Our View:Fukudome hasn't been able to translate his power to the American game, but with a .305 average and an OBP just above .400, it can't be said that he hasn't been a valuable bat in the Cubs lineup. |
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May 21, 2008 Manager Lou Pinella plans on giving Kosuke Fukudome a day off during the upcoming series against the Pirates in which the Cubs will face three lefties, according to the Chicago Tribune. Our View:Fukudome hasn't been a slouch against southpaws, hitting .282 against them, but he's batted .320 with both of his dingers against righties. |
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May 14, 2008 The Cubs put the hurt on the San Diego Padres this evening, winning 8-5 with the bat of OF Kosuke Fukudome doing much of the damage. Fukudome went 3-for-5 at the dish, hitting his 11th double with two runs scored. Our View:Fukudome's average has been falling a bit this month, coming into the month at .327 and now sitting at .312. However, his numbers are serving the Cubs well and he seems to hit rather well in clutch situations. |
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May 10, 2008 Chicago OF Kosuke Fukudome smacked his 2nd home run of the year today, doing deep in the 7th inning to drive in two and seal the 7-2 win for the Cubs over the Arizona Diamondbacks. Fukudome finished going 1-for-3 at the plate with a walk, leaving one man on board. Our View:Fukudome has struggled a bit since entering May, going 3-for-19 over his last six games. |
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May 9, 2008 Kosuke Fukudome is hitting .448 over 16 games at the friendly confines of Wrigley Field this season, but is only hitting .209 on the road, according to MLB.com. Our View:Fukudome is at home against Arizona today, and should be in your lineups, regardless of a tough match-up against ace hurler Dan Haren. Fukudome is hitting .320 overall this season, with 23 runs scored over 33 games. |
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May 3, 2008 Kosuke Fukudome went 3-for-5 with two RBI in Saturday's 9-3 win over the Cardinals. Our View:Fukudome only has one homer over 112 at-bats, but he has generated 12 RBI and 23 runs over 29 games, while maintaining a .348 batting average. He also has three stolen bases, and has proven to be a quality fantasy performer in the early going. |
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May 1, 2008 Kosuke Fukudome went 4-for-4 on Thursday to push his average up to .353. Our View:Fukudome has only one home run through 102 AB, but he has that huge average and 22 runs scored providing the quality bat that the Cubs hoped they were bringing into the fold. Toss in his three SB, and Fukudome has also been a wonderful fantasy player as well. |
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April 22, 2008 Kosuke Fukudome went 3-for-3 with a double, two walks, and two runs on Tuesday. He is hitting .357 and has multiple hits in four of his last seven games. Our View:Fukudome hasn't displayed a ton of pop thus far, but he's obviously swinging well and showing patience (16 walks). Fantasy owners should be pleased. |
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April 21, 2008 Kosuke Fukudome returned to the starting lineup on Monday after missing just one game for treatment on a cyst above his right eye, this according to MLB.com. Our View:Fukudome, who leads the majors in pitches seen per AB (4.58), it hitting .317 with 13 runs scored on the season providing the bat the Cubs hoped they would be getting when they signed him to his big off-season contract. |
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April 20, 2008 The Cubs scratched Kosuke Fukudome from their Sunday lineup because of a small cyst above his right eye. Chicago skipper Lou Piniella told WGN during the broadcast that the ailment is not serious and called it "a one-day thing." Our View:The Japanese import is expected to return to the lineup for Monday's game against the Mets. |
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April 20, 2008 Kosuke Fukudome has been scratched from the Cubs' lineup on Sunday due to a small cyst above his right eye, according to the AP. Manager Lou Piniella noted that it is not a serious issue and "just a one-day thing." Our View:Mark DeRosa starts in right field and Matt Murton gets the call in left. |
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April 19, 2008 In a game bloated with offense, several of the top dogs for the Chicago Cubs bathed in the riches of bad pitching offered by the Pirates to finish the 1-13 win today. Only one starter (CF Reed Johnson) failed to get a hit and they all got on base as the Cubs put on an offensive clinic. Our View:The top performers on the day included SS Ryan Theriot (2-for-4, three runs scored), Derrek Lee (1-for-3 with HR and 2 RBIs), Daryle Ward (1-for-1 with a HR, 2 RBIs, and 2 runs scored), Kosuke Fukudome (1-for-3 with 2 walks and 2 runs scored), Mark DeRosa (1-for-3 with 2 runs scored and 2 RBI), and catcher Geovany Soto (2-for-4 with one walk and one RBI). Fukudome and DeRoso also added stolen bases in what can only be described as a game to forget for the Pittsburgh Pirates. |
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April 10, 2008 After Lou Piniella debated whether to move Kosuke Fukudome to the second slot in the batting order on Thursday morning, the Japanese import is penciled in as the fifth hitter for tonight's game against the Pirates. The Cubs right fielder has started red-hot and it appears that Sweet Lou, who is known to tinker with his lineup card more than most skippers, will leave well enough alone. |
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April 8, 2008 Kosuke Fukudome will remain fifth in the Cubs batting order against lefties, according to the Chicago Tribune. Manager Piniella commented that he will leave him where he is in the order against lefties, to protect Aramis Ramirez, and added, "He had nice at-bats behind Ramirez. You know, they pitched to Ramirez every time, too, which is what we're trying to accomplish with Fukudome batting fifth. We put 10 runs on the board against a left-hander, and you've got to stay with it." Fukudome is hitting .458 over 24 at-bats so far this season. |
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April 7, 2008 Kosuke Fukudome did it all on Monday as he had three hits, two walks, scored a run and stole a base for the Cubs. Who said this United States baseball was difficult? So far so good for this Japanese import as he it hitting .458 in his first 24 AB. |
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April 5, 2008 Kosuke Fukudome is on fire and starting the season with a bang for the Chicago Cubs. Today he hit up the Roy Oswalt-led Houston Astros, going 2-for-4 at the plate with his third double of the season and two RBIs (now touting five on the season). Fukudome held his gaudy .500 batting average true through the day and seems to be quickly adapting to the MLB game. |
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April 4, 2008 Kosuke Fukudome keeps on producing. He went 2-for-4 with a run against the Astros on Friday. Fukudome is 6-for-12 with four walks and four runs through four games. |
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April 2, 2008 Brewers' Manager Ned Yost praised Kosuke Fukudome after he went 3-for-3 with a homer on opening day, according to MLB.com. Yost stated after the game, "We still don't have that kid figured out. We thought we did, a little bit, but he changed his approach today compared to the times we saw him in Spring Training. He was a different hitter today. We kind of have to go back to the drawing board on this guy. He's an awful smart player if he was hiding something, because we thought we had him figured out. He was totally different in his approach. We'll look at it." This is encouraging news for those who took a chance on Fukodome in the fantasy draft. |
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March 31, 2008 Kosuke Fukudome went 3-for-3, hitting a game tying, three-run homer in the ninth off Brewers' closer Eric Gagne. The Japanese import added a walk and a run scored to his statline in the Cubs opening day loss to Milwaukee. |
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March 27, 2008 Scout.com reports that Japanese import Kosuke Fukudome could see some time as the Cubs leadoff hitter. Chicago skipper Lou Piniella has plenty of options to top the order and it's likely he will us a situational lineup from game-to-game. The Cubs outfielder has upside and is being drafted as such in most March leagues. |
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March 19, 2008 Kosuke Fukudome is fine after getting hit in the neck by a throw on Tuesday. He is expected to play on Wednesday, MLB.com reports. |
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March 12, 2008 Kosuke Fukudome will hit fifth behind Aramis Ramirez for the Cubs Friday, according to the Chicago Tribune. "In the five hole, I think he'll give us the best protection for [cleanup hitter Aramis] Ramirez," manager Lou Pinella said. "He's a good contact guy. He'll drive in runs with guys in scoring position, put the ball in play. It makes sense to me. We'll try it for a few more games and see what happens." Fukudome is a much better fit for the No. 2 spot with his on-base skills and lack of pop. This potential move doesn't seem to benefit the Cubs, but it won't hurt Fukudome's fantasy value. |
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March 4, 2008 Fukumania continues for the Cubby Nation as Kosuke Fukudome went 3-for-3 with one homerun and two RBIs in Chicago’s loss to Milwaukee in Cactus League action Tuesday. |
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March 4, 2008 Kosuke Fukudome is off to a slow start this spring, picking up only one chop single in four games, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. The Japanese import has been batting third for the Northsiders. "We need for him to swing it," manager Lou Piniella said. "Maybe the 3-hole might be asking a little bit too much too soon. We might drop him down to the 2-hole, and he might be more comfortable there." Pinella added that he'll probably move the outfielder to the second spot in the lineup. Fukudome is probably pressing a bit in an effort to impress his new team. If he's still hitting this way a few weeks from now, then it will be time to worry. |
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February 28, 2008 Kosuke Fukudome had a memorable day on Thursday as he was hit by a pitch, walked, and had an RBI single for the Cubs. Fukudome also stated that he would like to steal 15-20 bases this year, and if he is able to remotely approach that total, his overall game would likely mark him as a potentially great number three OF this season. |
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February 28, 2008 Kosuke Fukudome told the Chicago Tribune on Wednesday that he plans to use his speed, something that seldom was exploited in his years playing in Japan. "We talked to him today about the green light," Piniella said. "We're going to wait for a while, to let him get a chance to get his legs under him and build a little more strength." "I'm hoping I can steal between 15 and 20 bases this season," Fukudome said through an interpreter. "I never know if I'm going to be able to steal bases, but I'm looking forward to it."Fukudome seldom got the green light in Japan because the No. 3 hitter there hardly ever steals. Cubs skipper Lou Piniella said he would take advantage of Fukudome's skills this season, including stealing an occasional base. |
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February 22, 2008 The Cubs are contemplating changing their plans with their 3-4-5 hitters this year and going with Kosuke Fukudome batting third, Derrek Lee fourth and Aramis Ramirez fifth, according to MLB.com. "I've been thinking about our lineup and what makes sense and what we can try," Piniella said. "Let me warn you, it's only Feb. 22, so there's plenty of time to adjust this thing." Most pundits believe Fukudome would be an ideal number two hitter with his ability to get on base. However, most also expect his power to partially be left in Japan meaning he would be the most logical of this group to hit in the third spot in the lineup. |
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February 16, 2008 The Cubs could use Kosuke Fukudome anywhere from second to sixth in the batting order, but he is tentatively slated to hit fifth, the Chicago Tribune reports. |
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February 15, 2008 Kosuke Fukudome is capable of playing center field, but manager Lou Pinella plans on sticking the Japanese import in right and leaving him there. "I think we'll put him in right, put [Alfonso] Soriano in left and we'll figure out what we do in center," Pinella told the Chicago Tribune. |
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