atlanta braves sign pitcher kenshin kawakami

Another baseball player from Japan makes his way over to the Major League. This time, with Atlanta. The Braves have signed a three-year contract with all-star pitcher Kenshin Kawakami, the first Japanese-born player in franchise history: Braves to introduce Kawakami.

Kawakami, the 2004 Central League MVP, has won 112 games in 11 seasons in Japan and was regarded as one of the top free-agent pitchers from Japan available this offseason. Last year, he was 9-5 for the Chunichi Dragons.

The Braves have apparently attempted to boost their presence in Japan in recent years, and scouts have actually been following Kawakami for several years. Hopefully, he'll be a valuable investment as the team tries to rebuild its rotation.