Nippon-Ham Decides Not to Re-Sign Pitchers Kazutomo Iguchi and Yuya Himeno for Next Season
In an announcement made on the 3rd, Nippon-Ham revealed that they will not be extending contracts to pitcher Kazutomo Iguchi and pitcher Yuya Himeno for the upcoming season. Iguchi, who played in a mere five games during this season, struggled with a 5.40 ERA.
Iguchi’s Career and Recent Performance
The 29-year-old Iguchi, originally drafted from Tokyo University of Agriculture, Hokkaido Okhotsk as the team’s third pick in 2015, showcased promise with a career-high of 43 appearances in 2021. With a record of 1 win, 2 losses, and 11 holds, he maintained an impressive ERA of 1.86. However, his performance took a downturn last year, recording a 5.00 ERA in 23 games. This season, he was primarily relegated to the second team. Across his 217 appearances, Iguchi accumulated 6 wins, 5 losses, 3 saves, 37 holds, and maintained an overall ERA of 3.46.
Himeno’s Development and Transition to Pitcher
On the other hand, Himeno, initially joining the team as an outfielder with the eighth pick in the 2015 draft, had a limited appearance in the first team, appearing in just two games. In 2020, he was informed of his inactive status, prompting him to transition to the role of pitcher midway through 2021 after re-signing for training. Demonstrating his potential, Himeno reached an impressive top speed of 154km/h and accumulated 2 wins, 3 losses, 1 save, and a discernible 3.97 ERA in 17 games with the second team.
This decision by Nippon-Ham signifies their intention to move in a different direction for the forthcoming season, as they bid farewell to Iguchi and Himeno. Both players will now explore new opportunities to further their careers in professional baseball.
Iguchi has played in just five games this season and has a 5.40 ERA.
Nippon-Ham announced on the 3rd that it will not be signing contracts for next season with pitcher Kazutomo Iguchi and pitcher Yuya Himeno. Iguchi played in just five games this season and had a 5.40 ERA.
[PR]Watch official NPB games anytime, anywhere at a discounted price, with plenty of original content If you want to watch professional baseball, go to “DAZN”
Iguchi, 29, joined the team from Tokyo University of Agriculture, Hokkaido Okhotsk in the 3rd pick of the 2015 draft. In 2021, he played in a career-high 43 games, with 1 win, 2 losses, and 11 holds. He had a good record with an ERA of 1.86, but last year he struggled with an ERA of 5 points in 23 games, and this season he continued to play in the second team. He has 6 wins, 5 losses, 3 saves, 37 holds, and a 3.46 ERA in 217 appearances.
Himeno, who is in development, joined the team as an outfielder at the 8th pick in the 2015 draft. He appeared in only two games in the first team, and was informed of his inactive status in 2020. His contract changed to pitcher in mid-2021 after re-signing for training. His fastest speed was 154km/h, and he had 2 wins, 3 losses, 1 save, and an ERA of 3.97 in 17 games in the second team.
(Full Account Editorial Section)
#NipponHam #Kazutomo #Iguchi #Yuya #Himeno #crowd #unusual #metaphor #pitcher #making #team…Team #announcement
