Is a strong shoulder important for second baseman? Masahiro Araki talks about the necessary qualities | Pacific League

Is "shoulder strength" important for second baseman? Masahiro Araki talks about "necessary qualities"

Pacific League Insight

2025.12.16(火) 08:00

P's UPDATE," a program to update common knowledge in the baseball world, is now available on the official YouTube page of PERSOL Pacific League TV. The theme of the December 15 (Monday) broadcast is "Position Philosophy second baseman Edition. second baseman The guests are Masahiro Araki, a Chunichi alumnus who won the Mitsui Golden Glove Award six times at and Chiba Lotte Marines coach Tsuyoshi Nishioka, who won the same award in 2005, and they delve deeply into the second baseman position. second baseman Mr. Araki shared his views on the qualities required for the

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Araki said, "The second pitch is to make all the pitches that everyone thinks are outs," he said. First of all, he mentions certainty, and when it comes to throwing, he says, "It's close (to first baseman), but it's difficult. It is the most delicate position," he says. throw At times, it is important to put the shoulder on the glove side inside. short stop In the case of second baseman, the shoulder naturally turns to first baseman after catch, while needs to adjust the angle after catch. In fact, Mr. Araki shared his experience, "There was a time when I was very troubled for 1.5 to 2 years after protecting second baseman.

Furthermore, when Mr. Araki said, "It would be nice if second baseman had stronger shoulders," Mr. Nishioka agreed with him. infield So, why is it important for second baseman to have strong shoulders, an ability that is required of third parties and short stop, which are far away from first baseman?

He said, "A ball that flies deep between third and third base is difficult for first baseman to make an out even if short stop catches up to it, but if second baseman catches a similar ball between second and third base, he can make an out if his shoulders are strong enough, right? If you have strong shoulders, it is easy to get double play out," explained Araki. I often wish I had strong shoulders," he said.