Orix On the 25th, the possibility of Keita Nakagawa infielder (29) reaching 100 million yen in salary next season became high. The baseball team highly evaluated his contribution to the team, and a large increase from his 70 million yen salary was assured.
This season, he had a batting average of .284, third in the league. For the first time in two years, he started in every batting order from 1st to 9th, and showed off his power with 12 Home Run, tying his career high. Nakagawa is the first home-grown Japanese fielder to reach that milestone since Yoshida Tadashi (currently with the Red Sox, 85 million yen in 2019, 200 million yen in 2020). This will no doubt be encouraging for him from next season onwards.
He received second place in the number of votes for the Best Nine (outfielder), behind Yanagimachi (Softbank). Through the team, he has renewed his determination, saying, "I want to continue to work even harder so that I can continue to grow." He is born in 1996, the same year as Tonmiya and Mune on the team. This versatile hitter, described by former manager Nakajima as "the invincible Nakagawa," has joined the ranks of the top players.
〇... Wakatsuki was named to the Best Nine for the first time in his 12th year as a professional. His consistent defense ability and powerful arm are among the best in the league, earning him a double Golden Glove award. He also showed improvement in his batting, posting a .272 batting average in 121 games, and promised, "I will continue to work hard every day so that I can be selected again next season." He was selected for Samurai Japan in November, and is a candidate to be the starting catcher for the WBC in March next year, where Ohtani has announced his participation. His thorough knowledge of Yamamoto's (both with the Dodgers) characteristics from his time with Orix Buffaloes is also a strength.
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Best Nine】Orix is the first time Kenya Wakatsuki and Keita Nakagawa have won the award. "I'd like to devote myself to it every day," "I never thought I would...I'm surprised.
The Best Nine】The Giants ・Yuta Izumiguchi won the head-to-head battle with Koen of Hiroshima's hitter, the first time since Hayato Sakamoto won both the GG Award and the Best Nine in 21 years.
Best Nine】Yuki Okabayashi of Chunichi, the only full inning participant of the 12 teams, won the award for the third time.
Rakuten】"One day, not one year," he says. fielder The oldest player, Daichi Suzuki, signed for 128 million yen, 32 million yen less than his previous signing.
Best Nine】Rakuten ・ Rui Muneyama is the first rookie in 44 years to achieve this feat since Ishige in 1981 at the Pacific League short stop
