Important Shohei Ohtani’s “Batterer who hit the front”, the backhand in a Japanese player? Expert Advocate… Strongest Samurai J Batting Line |

4 is Murakami… Shohei Otani placed at No. 3 “I can’t miss him even if I hit him”

The World Baseball Classic (WBC) is approaching in March. The final member of Samurai Japan hasn’t been announced yet, but what do critics see as the “best starting lineup” right now? We asked Toshihiro Noguchi, who was active as a catcher for a total of 21 years at Yakult, Nippon-Ham, Hanshin, and Yokohama (currently DeNA) during his playing days.

“4th and 3rd Murakami (Munetaka = Yakult) are immovable. There will be no complaints. Before and after that, Otani (Shohei = Angels) and Seiya Suzuki (Cubs). I want to turn Ohtani’s batting order as much as possible). , so I put him 3rd. I would like to,” said Mr. Noguchi, who decided to clean first. As for how to use Ohtani, “I think it’s fine to use two wields. I thought the WBC would adopt the ‘Otani rule’ which allows the starting pitcher to continue playing as a DH after leaving the plate. In any case, Ohtani will I think, even if you’re a member, you can’t eliminate him as a main member.”

He points out that the biggest problem is the selection of personnel No. 1 and No. 2. “If you limit yourself to Japanese players, put Kondo (Kensuke = Softbank), who has a high percentage on the base, in order to increase the probability of putting a runner in front of Ohtani. I think that the two Platos of Hon (Koji = Hanshin) and Shiomi (Yasutaka = Yakult) in the case of the left would be the best plan.” The reason why there is a need to change in depending on the opponent’s right and left is that there are many pitchers in the MLB who handle fast sinker balls, and right vs. right and left vs. left are extremely disadvantageous for hitters.

“There are also 100 miles (about 161 kilograms) sinker ballers with right arms. After the semi-finals, such pitchers will appear from the United States, the Dominican Republic, etc. Except for Seiya Suzuki, who has experience in the big leagues, right-handed hitters already. It will be very difficult,” Noguchi said. For example, the Marlins’ Sandy Alcantara, known for his “161kg, 48cm sinker,” won the 2022 National League Cy Young Award. He is expected to join the Dominican Republic national team at WBC. “It’s hard to say if Shiomi can hit the first time with Yoidon against a pitcher like that. If he’s a left-handed hitter, Chikamoto will run away, so he might be able to roll him with a cone and aim for a shot in the field.” .