December 4, 2008 Epstein: Tazawa "pitches with a fearless manner" Play video

(NECN: Boston, MA) - The Boston Red Sox today introduced their newest pitcher, Japan's Junichi Tazawa. Tazawa was at Fenway park this afternoon.

He is just 22-years-old and never played professionally in Japan. He is a righthander who was 13-1 with five saves playing amateur ball last season. He is likely to start in the minor leagues.

Tazawa reportedly gets a three-year deal with the Sox worth $3.3 million. He received offers from many teams, including a higher salary from Texas, but likely chose the Red Sox because of his idol Daisuke Matsuzaka.

Introducing Junichi, Theo Epstein says he "brings a lot of the attributes to the table that we look for in any prospect". Theo added "as far as his stuff, his fastball has increased in velocity, in the time we have been scouting him. Most recently he was sitting 91-94(mph)."

Theo says that Junichi has a splitter for an off-speed pitch, and can also choose between a slider and a curve ball. Overall Theo is confident that Junichi has a command of all his pitches and that he "pitches with a fearless manner".