Shunsuke Watanabe: Red Sox Sign Japanese Pitcher with Submarine Delivery and 70 mph Fastball

Shunsuke Watanabe is the latest edition to the World Series champion Boston Red Sox pitching staff. The 37-year-old Japanese righty only received a minor league deal. If he makes the team he’ll join countryman — and postseason hero — Koji Uehara on the Sox staff.

Chances are, unless you were combing the transition wire you missed this signing. MLB Trade Rumors notes that Watanabe comes to America armed with a whopping 70-mph fastball, which makes Jamie Moyer probably look like Nolan Ryan in comparision. The 37-year-old Watanabe has posted a 3.65 ERA across 1,578 innings for the Chiba Lotte Marines with a paltry 4.8 K/9. (Shocker.)

How does Watanabe get away with it? He uses a deceptive submarine, sidearm delivery that would make even the late Dan Quisenberry blush.

Which opposing player is going to be the first guy to launch a tape measure shot off Watanabe in Spring Training? If we’re lucky the Red Sox film David Ortiz taking an at-bat off his new teammate.