Braves history: Kenshin Kawakami wasn't as bad as you remember

In 2009, the Atlanta Braves dipped into the Japanese market for the first (and to this day only) time, signing starting pitcher, Kenshin Kawakami, to a three-year, $23 million deal.

Two years later, he was marooned in Mississippi after two disappointing seasons with Atlanta and never returned to the major leagues again.

However, despite being remembered as a bust, Kawakami wasn't nearly as bad as you remember, and he was done dirty by the Braves front office.

Kenshin Kawakami was an ace in Japan

Prior to joining Atlanta, Kawakami pitched 11 seasons in the NPB, all with the Chunichi Dragons, and had a career 3.22 ERA. He was a six-time All-Star, a three-time Golden Glove recipient, won the 1998 Rookie of the Year, and won the 2004 MVP and Eiji Sawamura Award (the equivalent to the Cy Young Award).

Kawakami had a 2.30 ERA in 2008, although he was limited to just 117.1 innings. After the season, he became a free agent and prioritized coming to the U.S.

"In January, he got his wish when the Braves signed him to a three-year, $23 million contract.

"With Kenshin," Braves GM, Frank Wren said, "we have acquired a pitcher who will be an integral part of our pitching staff over the next three seasons."

Unfortunately, that did not end up being true.

Kawakami's first season was a success

Kawakami's first season with the Braves wasn't a resounding success, but it was far from a disappointment. The righty had a 3.86 ERA in 32 games (25 starts) and compiled 156.1 innings.

Things got off to a rocky start for the former NPB MVP, as he had a 7.06 ERA in his first four starts, but he turned things around during his May and June, pitching 56.2 innings to the tune of a 3.18 ERA.

He had a slightly rougher July (4.73 ERA) but then had his best month in August, pitching 37.2 innings and only allowing 12 runs (2.87 ERA).

But then he was moved to the bullpen at the start of September. The Braves claimed it was because they had too many starters and that Kawakami had pitched more than he had in Japan but the righty was not happy with the decision.

2010 was even worse

With the Braves extending Tim Hudson after the season, it looked like Kawakami might find himself in the same rotation crunch he was in at the end of the season. However, the Braves dealt Javier Vazquez to the Yankees in a trade that netted a fan-favorite (to hate), Melky Cabrera.

Unfortunately, the then 34-year-old got off to another rough start. He had a 5.48 ERA through the first month of the season, but he was able to maintain a 4.13 through the next two months.

After this, for whatever reason, the Braves decided to pretend he didn't exist. He only pitched once in July and was sent down to the minors in August. He was recalled at the end of the month but only saw action in two games.

On the whole, Kawakami had a 515 ERA in 87.1 innings. However, his 4.35 FIP suggested he was likely getting unlucky. Additionally, the Braves staff might have been overemphasizing the Win-Loss record, as Kawakami only had one win and a .091 win percentage.