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The Dodgers are reportedly among the teams circling Japanese pitcher, Hiroki Kuroda, currently of the Hiroshima Carp. [Note: I’ve seen a Carp game in Hiroshima. The concessions – including noodle & fish cake soup served in a bowl sans utensils — were among the highlights.]

I like the idea of reaching out to a quality import. Signing such an arm would allow the Dodgers to hold onto their prospects.

But what do we know about Kuroda-san?

Prospect Insider gives us a comprehensive scouting report on the 33-year-old pitcher:

Fastball:
Kuroda sits 90-92 with a four-seam fastball that shows good leverage, although only a fair amount of sink. He will touch 93-94 at times and with good arm side tail that is very effective against right-handed batters.He has solid command of the fastball and is not afraid to elevate the pitch to change planes to give the hitter something else to look at, which is ideal since the 33-year-old does not throw a curve ball.

He surrendered 20 homers in his 179 2/3 innings, which is a solid number considering the size of the ballparks, but would benefit greatly from Safeco Field’s spacious alleys.

Slider:
Kuroda uses a true slider in the way that fellow Japanese hurler Daisuke Matsuzaka does, with good depth and varying velocities. Kuroda will typically rush his slider to the plate in the 84-86 mph range, but will need to keep the pitch down more consistently in the states.

At times he’ll fall in love with his slider a little bit, which is consistent with other Japanese pitchers.

Splitter:
Kuroda’s fork-split is his best pitch and the one in which he will record the majority of his strikeouts. He’s capable of throwing it for strikes, but it’s much more effective as a change-of-pace offering that falls off the table into the dirt.

He will induce some swings and misses with it as it travels to the plate in the 82-86 mph range.

The Scoop:
Kuroda is the class of the three free agents and will get the most interest but he profiles as a No. 3 at best, depending mostly on how well he adapts to the patient approach of the hitters in MLB.

He’s slow to the plate but has a relatively compact and clean delivery that gives his fastball some late life. Needs to improve holding runners (this will be something all four scouting reports will read, as it’s generally not a strong area for Japanese pitchers).

Considering the domestic market, Kuroda, even at 33 years old, could command a contract in the $9-11 million range, for at least three years.

“He could blow, like most of the starters that have come from Japan,” said a scout that saw the three free agents this past summer. “But he is the one the group of starters that stands out.”

There’s no doubting that Erik Bedard would be a solid addition. But there might be more value in someone like Kuroda – not so much monetarily, but as a means of preserving the outfield depth. And if, by chance, Kuroda didn’t work out and the Dodgers were in desperate need of a starter, they can always trade one of their outfield bats at the deadline. There’s no reason to believe that a Dodger prospect would have any less value on July 31^st than he does now. In addition, the organization will have a much better feel for Kemp’s full potential in mid-season than they do now.

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