LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Kenshin Kawakami drew plenty of attention when he stepped on the mound at Disney's Wide World of Sports complex Saturday afternoon.

Braves president John Schuerholz, general manager Frank Wren and manager Bobby Cox all wanted to get a look at the Japanese hurler as he threw live batting practice for the first time as a Major Leaguer.

"What he did today, I liked a lot," Cox said. "He was impressive. From what I saw today, I was happy. The velocity and stuff was good."

Cox's impression was likely different than that of the casual observer, who saw Gregor Blanco, Josh Anderson and Brandon Jones make consistent solid contact against the Japanese right-hander.

But the fact that Blanco dented the right-field wall and Anderson cleared the right-center-field wall while taking advantage of some of the high fastballs provided by Kawakami really should only matter to those who were keeping score on Feb. 21.

"I think the first time everybody should worry about him is his first real start," catcher Brian McCann said. "If he comes out and doesn't give up a run in Spring Training, it really doesn't mean anything. If he gets hit a little bit, it doesn't mean anything."

Knowing that Kawakami is having to adjust to preseason preparations that are different than the ones he's experienced in Japan, the Braves are allowing the right-hander to work at a comfortable pace.

Because he is used to beginning the regular season in March, Kawakami is attempting to balance his workload in preparation for the longer season that awaits him.

"There's a way that he's prepared himself all those years in Japan," Cox said. "We don't want to change any of that."

After throwing some breaking balls and cutters in the bullpen, Kawakami primarily threw fastballs during the five-minute live batting-practice session.

"I didn't get to throw as many breaking balls as I'd have liked to, but other than that, I thought it went OK," Kawakami said through his interpreter.

Kawakami, who is slated to serve as Atlanta's fourth starter, spent the past 11 seasons as one of the top pitchers in Japan's Central League. He captured the Sawamura Award -- equivalent to a Cy Young Award -- and was named the league's MVP in 2004, when he went 17-7 with a 3.32 ERA. While throwing a career-high 215 innings two years later, he went 17-7 with a 2.51 ERA.