Like millions of Japanese youngsters, Kenta Maeda grew up idolizing Ichiro Suzuki, the Mariners' 10-time All-Star.
But Maeda is no outfielder.
As the best athlete in his class, Maeda gave up soccer and began playing baseball in the third grade as a middle infielder, until a coach noticed how strong his throwing arm was.
But Maeda is no shortstop.
Since coming to America four seasons ago, only one National League pitcher, former Dodgers teammate Kenley Jansen, has made more postseason appearances out of the bullpen, and only Nationals closer Sean Doolittle, among pitchers with more than 10 postseason games, has outpitched Maeda's 1.64 bullpen ERA.
But Maeda is no relief pitcher.
Repeat: Maeda is no relief pitcher.
"Being a starting pitcher is important to me. It would be best if I remain a starter," Maeda, the Twins' top offseason pitching acquisition, said as he prepares for his American League debut this weekend. "Obviously, I'm much happier when I'm not pitching out of the bullpen."
It's hard to imagine the 32-year-old righthander acting much happier than he does these days. Even in a coronavirus mask, his grin is obvious and the laughter is constant. Scan his YouTube channel, and you'll discover he's like that away from the ballpark too, beaming as he cuts the hair of friends, makes fun of his worst swings at the plate, or responds to his thousands of fans an ocean away.
"Every time I've seen him, he's either smiling or joking around about something," said fellow righthander Randy Dobnak. "I can't really say much (in Japanese), but that dude is always smiling. He loves life, loves being around baseball, and that's good for everybody."
He has a history of getting big outs, too, and that, Derek Falvey knows, is good for the Twins.
"Certainly his track record, especially against righthanders, gets your attention. This type of experience and ability, combined with a contract that keeps him here for another four years, you don't get an opportunity to acquire someone like this very often," said Falvey, the Twins' president of baseball operations, who in February dealt pitching prospect Brusdar Graterol and outfielder Luke Raley to the Dodgers to acquire Maeda.
"He's had to make big pitches in postseason games, and he doesn't shrink in the moment."
