TOKYO, JAPAN - MARCH 10: Pitcher Shintaro Fujinami #17 of Japan throws in the top of the fourth inning during the World Baseball Classic Pool B Game Six between China and Japan at Tokyo Dome on March 10, 2017 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images)

Shintaro Fujinami was once one of the top young pitchers in Nippon Professional Baseball. Now, he is barely hanging on.

There was a time when Shintaro Fujinami was one of the bright young pitchers in Nippon Professional Baseball. He was right there with the likes of Shohei Ohtani, Yusei Kikuchi, and Tomoyuki Sugano, expected to be a part of the next generation of great pitchers in Japan. There were even questions as to which player was preferable on the mound – Fujinami or Ohtani.

Fast forward to today. While Ohtani lived up to his immense promise and then became a two way sensation with the Angels, Fujinami had entered this year at a crossroads. He had struggled over the past couple of years, his command having disappeared. His 2017 campaign was rough, as he posted a 4.12 ERA and a 1.661 WHiP, striking out 41 batters with 45 walks in 59 innings. Fujinami was still amongst the hardest throwers in the game, but he had no idea where the ball was going.

As bad as 2017 was, it is still better than how he has performed this year. In what was considered a possible make or break year, Fujinami has been downright brutal. Over 44 innings, he has posted a 6.34 ERA and a 1.886 WHiP, striking out 43 batters, but issuing 34 walks.

This meltdown has led to speculation that it may be in his best interest if he was to be traded from the Hanshin Tigers, a shocking turn of events. The fanbase, media, and even his manager have seemingly turned against Fujinami, making his control issues even worse. For their part, his teammates are trying to encourage fans to cheer the pitcher on, with the hope that a positive reaction from the crowd will get him back on track.

While there may be time for Fujinami to turn his career around, time may be running out. Instead of wondering when he will be heading stateside, joining the likes of Ohtani and potentially Kikuchi, there are questions as to whether or not Fujinami will ever be effective again.

Perhaps a trade from Hanshin will be what Fujinami needs. Or, perhaps a ticket to the bullpen, where he can work on his mechanics and look to get back to his dominant ways, would make a difference. Or, perhaps he has that case of the yips, inexplicably losing command of his stuff, just like pitchers like Steve Blass, Daniel Bard, and Rick Ankiel before him.

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At one point in time, Shintaro Fujinami was considered to be one of the bright young pitchers in Japan. Now, one has to wonder if he will ever regain the form he showed as a promising youngster.