Nippon-Ham pitcher Koki Kitayama went to ESCON on the 4th to renew his contract and signed a contract that offered him an increase in his annual salary from this season's 46 million yen (amount is estimated).
In his fourth season this year, he made 22 appearances, posting a record of 9 wins and 5 losses, ERA of 1.63, and 149 innings pitched, all of which were career-highs while maintaining his place in the starting rotation. number was changed from "57" to "15" mid-season, making it a year of great progress. "I've been steadily improving. The best thing about it is that I've been able to stay healthy," he reflected.
As a Samurai, he also participated in last year's Premier 12 and was selected as a member of the team for the warm-up match in November, so there are high hopes that he will play in the WBC in March next year. "Nothing has been decided yet, but if the opportunity arises, I think it will be special to be able to play for my country with great players and people who represent Japan, so I am looking forward to it," he said, looking forward to it.
The right-hander, who is scheduled to start the second game of the season on March 28 against Softbank Hawks at the Mizuho Payday Dome, said, "I think The Hawks will take my data from this year's season opener, but I want to be a completely different pitcher and throw the ball closer so that the other side (Softbank Hawks) will be surprised. Next year, I'd like to go the whole year with six days in between, and play well enough to win all the titles," he said enthusiastically.
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