Young people elected arbitrarily on the eve of revival … Who will fill the void of Tadashi Yoshida moved to the major leagues?
In 2022, Orix won back-to-back league title and number one in Japan for the first time in 26 years. On off, Seibu managed to acquire Yuya Mori catcher with FA, but the main gun, Masanao Yoshida, outfielder transferred to the major leagues. What kind of players will Satoshi Nakajima, who is aiming to win the championship three times in a row, use this season? In 2023, the team is full of young people who are on the eve of revival. I chose the “top 5” prospect for “arbitrary”.
Kohei Higashi, a fifth-year pro pitcher who is expected to be a future ace candidate, was selected in fifth place. In 2022, he pitched 15 games with 2nd Army, posted 1 win and 3 losses and a 3.46 ERA and was recorded in check in July. In the 1st Army, he pitched in 4 games and gained experience, such as scoring his first professional win with a good 1-goal pitch in the middle of the 6th inning against Nippon-Ham (Kyocera D) on August 6th. There are a variety of spinballs such as sliders, curves, changeups and fastballs that exceed 150km, and there is a high possibility that he will join the strong pitchers next season.
Pitcher Kaede Yokoyama, who is in her second year, is fourth. Last season, he was the only one of seven rookies who didn’t make it to First Army, but he played 25 games in Second Army, posting wins 0 and losses 2, 6 saves and a 2.36 ERA. Like Hayate Yamazaki and Udagawa, who both fought hard in the 2nd Army, they have the potential to make a big breakthrough.
In 3rd place, Ryoma Ikeda, an outfielder who is in his sophomore year, is recommended for his powerful hitting. Last season, despite being a rookie graduating from high school, when he was named starter in the “9th right wing” in the match against Seibu on May 1, he recorded his first professional hit with his strong arm Taira. He participated in 103 matches in the 2nd Army and experienced the physical strength required for a professional. Expected as a valuable “right winger”.
Ryoto Kurita, an outfielder who is supposed to be “Masanao Yoshida II”, would like to be ranked second. In 2020, his freshman year of high school graduation, he hit “first at bat, first pitch, home run.” Last season, due to injury, he only played 10 games, but he wants to show his long-range left foot talent now, such as becoming a registered member of the Japan Series.
In first place we chose pitcher Shunpei Yamashita, who is expected to pitch for the first time in his third year as a pro. Last season, in his sophomore year of high school, he benched in the Climax Series and Japan Series without pitching in First Army. The biggest attraction is the 155 kilogram fastball which is unleashed by a 189 cm tall figure. In addition to cornering, I also worked hard to learn the fork at camp last fall. Keep an eye out for the big right arm that holds endless possibilities.
In addition to these five players, there are many young players who are looking for a break with a stern eye. The commander, who has been in charge for three years, will not let go of the reins to win the championship three times in a row and become the best in Japan in a row.
