Veteran Hanshin Hojo Proves He’s a “Good Pitcher” What “Three Strengths” He Felt From Playing Against No. 1 Player Ihara This Season – Sponichi Sponichi Annex Baseball

Fumiya Hojo (30), a former Hanshin infielder who plays for Mitsubishi Heavy Industries West, an adult baseball team, from this season, commented on the ability of NTT West pitcher Ryohito Ihara (24), which was originally drafted by Hanshin. , from a professional perspective. ” he said. Based on his experience of playing against him in three real games this season, he mentioned three strengths he felt from his turn at bat: (1) his game ability do, (2) source for right-handed batters, and (3) control the ball. (Interview and writing by Rei Endo)

Hojo immediately answered the question, “About pitcher Ihara…”.

“He’s a great pitcher. I thought Takeda and Ihara’s teammates were the best pitchers in the Kansai area that could go on. I thought he would come in the first place.”

This season, he played against NTT West three times, including practice games, and faced Ihara for a total of about 10 at-bats. “If I were to compare him to someone who has good speed and can push things in a straight line, Mr. It would be Imanaga.” Coincidentally, during his naming speech on the 25th, manager Arata Fujikawa gave the name “Imanaga” as well.

For Hojo, the most impressive game was against Ibara on September 18, in the final qualifying round of the Kinki region for the Japan Amateur Baseball Championship. He faced the left-hander three times, who gave up 7 hits and 1 run in 5 2/3 innings. He cited three strengths based on his at-bat performance, where he had one hit in three at-bats, including a timely hit to center field for the lead in the third inning.

“I took the third turn at bat in the opening round, but I think I was not in good shape. It looked like I wasn’t very sharp in the straight line. thrown to the inside and outside corners, and I got knocked out I think anyone can hold him down when he’s doing well, but I think he is a good resource because he was able to keep him down when he was not doing well. .”Going into the game, the fielders had three slogans for their “Ihara strategy”: “Don’t move straight,” “Throw away low pitches,” and “Put end of floating curveballs,” but they allowed seven hits but scored only one point, Hojo said, “There is no self-destruction.”

In all of his at-bats, including this game, I felt Ihara had strong starting ability, “throws a nice straight ball to the right-handed batter’s outfield.”” I don’t think it’s very high, but he throws it to the right spots,” he said, commenting on his fastball, which has a velocity of over 149 km/h

And even though he lacks a signature football, Ihara has another weapon: ball control. “In that game, the pitch was not as sharp, but I was able to control the ball well, so I was able to control it. I have an image of him responding to the receiver’s signals and throwing everything. the route. I think there are a lot of different areas that can be done depending on the receiver.”

Ihara’s three strengths, discussed from the point of view of a professional pitcher, do not fade even when used directly, and support the left-handed position that is effective immediately.

◇Fumiya Hojo Born July 29, 1994 (Heisei 6), 30 years old from Osaka Prefecture. At Kosei Gakuin (currently Hachinohe Gakuin Kosei), he participated in Koshien for four consecutive seasons since the spring of 2012, and was runner-up for three consecutive seasons since the summer of 2015. He went along with Hanshin 2nd overall in the 2012 draft, and departed in 2023. In a total of 455 games, he had a 255 batting average, 18 home runs, and 113 RBIs. Starting this year, he will play for Mitsubishi Heavy Industries West. 1 meter 77, 80 km. Right-handed pitcher and right-handed thresher.

≪ Excited for the Japan Championship: “Even just one game feels like it’s going to be a long time” ≫
○… Hojo will headline Mitsubishi Heavy Industries West in the Japan Championship, which starts on the 29th. The first match will be against Nippon Steel Kashima on November 3rd. “If we lose, this year will be over. (DeNA Pick No. 1) Takeda will also have his last game, so I feel that even one game will be long,” he said cheerfully. He set his sights on achieving a better result than he did there the Intercity Championship in July, where he progressed to the top eight, and said, “It would be nice if I could hit, but I just want my team to beat me.” with that in mind.”

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