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Le Diamant's Saiki
Naimichi Saiki is a player who was released by the Montreal Royals in the spring of 1970. At the time he didn't appear to be on track for much of a career. Control being the major shortcoming.
Le Diamant picked him up as a minor league free agent and sent him to AA La Vauclin where he had a 3.52 ERA but control was still a skill that eluded him evident in his 1.52 WHIP.
The next season he got 'kicked up' to AAA Marin. His performance was so poor (small sample) that he was sent back down to La Vauclin. It was in 1971 that he flipped it as he walked 17 and fanned 68 for the Parrots.
So, back on the bus to AAA Marin and this time he gained success as his W/K ratio was 14/53. His ERA was 3.16.
So, in this the year of 1972 he got the call up to the Diamonds. At 23 years of age he has acquired control and a lot of stuff to go with it. Le Diamant is back in charge in the Martinique League and they have a cast of prospects to back up Saiki. With the #1 minor league system, the Diamonds are in position to challenge the Paris Artists now, and in the future.
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