According to Delta Graphs, Johnson threw his curve nearly half the time and was rated at over two wins per 100 pitches, and led all NPB pitchers in wins from his curve. Johnson kept his cutter to the glove-side part of the plate but so often missed outside with it. Kyodo News’ Japanese language story is HERE. Because of his nine years of service, he no longer counts against the four-active-player limit for foreign-registered players. When I saw this, I went back to Delta Graphs and saw that Johnson’s fastball was ranked 18th in effectiveness among the 120 or so pitchers with 50-plus innings in NPB last season. Former outfielder Warren Cromartie will have a somewhat expanded role next season as a team advisor with the CL’s Yomiuri Giants, Nikkan Sports reported. Tweets by @JballAllen Adrian Morejón has gotten a lot of deserved attention, but Pierce Johnson has often gone overlooked. With former closer Rafael Dolis now out of the picture for 2020 as well, the club is probably seeing Edwards setting up for the ageless Kyuji Fujikawa next season. Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. Again, San Diego needs to squeeze every clean inning they can out of the staff if the Padres are to beat the Dodgers. Here’s a sample of other headlines on Dec, 21, 2019, an offseason Saturday in Japan from online stories in the Nikkan Sports. Wladimir Balentien’s run with the Central League’s Yakult Swallows has come to an end Kyodo News reported Friday. Much of Friday’s news from NPB concerned foreign-registered players who will not be back next season with their current teams. In 58 2 ⁄ 3 innings, Johnson struck out 91 batters and walked just 13. Cromartie, a fan favorite in his seven seasons with the Giants from 1984, was a fixture at the batting cage prior to home games this year at Tokyo Dome. That was a … That was a strong enough performance to turn that into a two-year $5 million contract with the Padres and though his numbers are less gaudy, they’re still impressive. According to Fangraphs Edward’s most effective pitch is his slider, so that will be a slight change. The big leavers include two quality middle relievers and Japan’s single-season home run record holder. The framing of this is problematic. In today’s “Only in Japan” corner, Nippon Ham Fighters Opening Day Starter Naoyuki Uwasawa accepted a pay cut of 10 million yen ($94,000) because he missed half the season due to injury. And the offense. The Orix Buffaloes announced Tuesday they had signed veteran major league outfielder Adam Jones to a two-year deal, according to Kyodo News. But Cromartie joined the fans and they cheered each other. The Minnesota Twins keep losing playoff games. DeNA BayStars outfielder Yoshitomo Tsutsugo, whose posting period will end this week, is also currently in southern California. The Hanshin Tigers of Japan’s Central League announced Saturday that former Indians Padres and Rangers reliever Jon Edwards has been acquired on a one-year contract estimated at $800,000 according to multiple media sources. Reliever Pierce Johnson (28) will be handed his release on Nov. 2, Kyodo News reported Friday. He did not sign and attended Missouri State University. The pitch, though, didn’t play to his strengths so when Johnson reworked his repertoire, he cut the pitch out entirely. What this means is that San Diego will need to go deeper into their bullpen.