Akifu Okada has reportedly been appointed as Hanshin’s manager next season.
In 2020 and 2021, they finished in second place for two consecutive years, and this season, manager Yodai Yano announced his retirement before the season and aimed for the top, but he got off to a late start in the spring a big impact, and they slipped into third place in the area CS was my best.
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Akifu Okada (Photo: Yonhap/Aflo)
Even if two pitchers are out, “it won’t be a big loss”
It is not inferior to other teams in terms of strength.
A team ERA of 2.67 leads the league. Ace Akihiro Aoyagi has 13 wins and 4 losses, the most wins with an ERA of 2.04, the highest winning rate (.765), the best ERA and the “triple crown”. Yuki Nishi and Shoji Ito have 9 wins with an ERA in the 2-point range, and Gankel has great game-making ability as well. Junya Nishi, in his third year as a professional, has emerged, and Hiroto Saiki has also recovered from Tommy John surgery on his right elbow.
The relief team also struggled with Kyomi Yuasa pitching 59 games with 2 wins, 3 losses and 43 holds and an ERA of 1.09, and Masumi Hamachi who pitched 52 games with 1 win, 3 losses and 21 holds and an ERA of 1.14. Yuasa has the most holdings in the league and won his first award for the best center, and there is a good chance that he will be the guardian angel next year.
On the other hand, what is worrying is the trend of the main pitchers. Nishiyu has acquired the second FA right, and his future career is unclear. Shintaro Fujinami has also told the team that he wants to challenge the majors with the posting system. There are fears that losing both men will reduce their strength, but a sports newspaper reporter who covers Hanshin says, “It won’t be a big loss.”
How will Mr. Okada change Hanshin? Hands are marked. (Kengo Nakamachi)
