GLENDALE, Ariz. – When the Dodgers signed Japanese right-hander Kenta Maeda to an eight-year contract in December, they did not describe him as a replacement for the departed Zack Greinke.
But catcher Yasmani Grandal was willing to compare the two, at least in one area, after catching Maeda’s first session throwing to hitters Monday morning.
“This is a guy who can throw four pitches,” Grandal said. “We had Greinke last year who could throw four pitches.”
Maeda twice won the Sawamura Award as Japan’s best pitcher, including last season. But it is a daunting standard to hold him to when comparing him to Greinke, who went 51-15 with a 2.