Kenta Maeda is the new pitcher this offseason that seems to be this years Darvish or Tanaka. However there are screaming differences between those 2 pitchers and Maeda, Maeda doesn't have the typical workhorse build to him, hes 6 feet tall and saying he's 160LB is helping him out. The 26 year old right hander has pitched for the Hiroshima Carp for the past 7 seasons and has been a huge success.
2008 9-2 109.2IP 10 HR 3.20ERA 55 SO 1.25 WHIP 4.5 SO/9
2009 8-14 193.0IP 22HR 3.36ERA 147 SO 1.15 WHIP 6.9 SO/9
2010 15-8 215.2IP 15HR 2.21 ERA 174 SO 0.98 WHIP 7.3 SO/9
2011 10-12 216.0IP 14HR 2.46ERA 192 SO 1.02 WHIP 8.0 SO/9
2012 14-7 206.1IP 6HR 1.53 ERA 171 SO 0.99 WHIP 7.5 S0/9
2013 15-7 175.2IP 13 HR 2.10 ERA 158 SO 0.96 WHIP 8.1 SO/9
2014 11-9 187.0IP 12HR 2.60ERA 161 SO 1.09 WHIP 7.7 SO/9
As you can see from his 7 seasons in Japan, his strikeouts per 9 innings has grown over the first 3 years and has seen to be around the 8 strikeouts per 9 innings over the last 4 seasons. His WHIP has been outstanding as its been under 1.15 for 6 seasons straight, and his ERA has not surpassed 3 for 5 straight years. Maeda career ERA Is 2.44 with over 1,050 K's in just over 1,300 innings. Many scouts believe he has 3 above average pitches, his fastball, slider, and most are split between his sinker and changeup, he also posses a sneaky good curveball. Scouts has seen his 4 seam touch around 94-95 MPH and his curve drop under 70MPH.
It is not yet been decided if Hiroshima will post him yet for major league teams, with the new posting system rules being implemented last year most teams that have interest in him will have contract discussions with Maeda and his representatives. 5 teams have been very outspoken in their interest in signing him if he is made available, the D'backs, Astros, Yankees, Orioles, and Red Sox. Look for those 5 teams to make the most noise, however don't rule out the elusive "Mystery Team".