“Hosokawa-kun and Ukai-kun’s ability to fly is truly amazing.”
Infielder Sho Nakata, who transferred to Chunichi, revealed the impact he received from the young players who became his teammates in his new team. The three-time RBI champion praised outfielders Kojo Ukai and Seiya Hosokawa.
“Hosokawa-kun and Ukai-kun’s ability to fly is truly amazing.”
Ukai, who joined the team from Komadai as the second pick in the 2021 draft, had high expectations, but in his rookie year he batted .206 with 4 home runs and 16 RBIs in 59 games, and last season he batted .143 with 3 home runs and 5 RBIs in 41 games. was.
However, he hit 4 home runs in the Asian Winter Baseball League (Taiwan), which he participated in last off-season, and he made a powerful hit in the practice game against Lotte on the 21st. Regarding the 24-year-old, who seems to be on the verge of a breakout season, Nakata said, “As for Ukai, there was no player on the Giants who could hit the ball that far, and that was amazing.I think he’ll become a great player if he can build up a track record and start hitting in matches. But,” he said.
Hosokawa was active last season when he was drafted from DeNA and had 24 home runs in 140 games. He should be the centerpiece of the batting lineup this season as well. Last season, the team hit 71 home runs, the lowest among 12 teams, and if Nakata and other young players can produce extra-base hits, nothing could be more reliable.
(Rie Machida)
2024-02-22 22:20:00
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