Kondo participated in the opening match against Lotte on March 25, 2016 with “No. 5 DH”
Nippon-Ham winger Kensuke Kondo has exercised his foreign free agent (FA) rights. If a good hitter with the highest on-base percentage twice and the top nine three times is transferred, it will be a big loss for the team, but in recent years, the replacement of players has been fast. “Japan’s best warriors” of 2016 are leaving the team one after another.
2016 was the best in Japan. Looking at the members of the opening game, the game against Lotte on March 25, which is the start, of the 13 players who participated, Kondo, who is the 5th designated hitter, and the 9th hitter, is still registered . Just Takuya Nakajima from Yugeki.
Sho Nakata, who was “4th and 1st base”, was transferred to the giants in free trade last season. Haruki Nishikawa, the “2nd left wing”, became a “non-tender” free contract last season and has been playing for Rakuten since this season. Brandon Laird of “No. 6/3rd base” was traded to Lotte, Shota Ohno “8th/Catcher” was traded to Chunichi FA, and Shunken Yokoo, who participated as a pinch hitter, was traded to Rakuten.
Yangtai Steel, who was a consistent forward, left the giant who transferred to FA last season, and played in an independent league this season. Kensuke Tanaka, who was “3rd and second base”, Yuya Taniguchi, who was “7th and right wing”, and Tomoya Ichikawa, who played in center, have already retired.
Looking at the pitchers, the starting pitcher was Shohei Ohtani. In the 7th inning, he gave up 5 hits and 3 runs (2 earned). Hirotoshi Takanashi, who threw an inning at second base, was traded to Yakult, and had 7 wins in 20 pitches this season. Six years after being number one in Japan, we are entering a period of great change.
(Full Account editorial section)
