"See, that's it," says Lotte manager Hanshin Tigers, reminiscent of former Hanshin manager Okada, as he declares first-round pick starting starting line-up for opening game

Sports Hochi

2025.3.24(月) 06:10

◆Preseason game: The Giants 1-2 Lotte (23rd, Tokyo Dome)

Lotte's first-round draft pick Nishikawa proved in an exhibition game that he lives up to his reputation as the best hitter in the university baseball world. In the final game, where owner Shigemitsu rushed in, Nishikawa hit a single to right field in the first inning, a single to left field in the fifth inning, and a single to right field in the seventh inning for his first three hit. Although he did not reach the required number of at-bats, he finished with a batting average of .410, making him the "hidden batting hitter." "I was nervous in every game, and I really tried my best in every at-bat. As a result, I was able to achieve a batting average of .400, which I think is very good," he said.

Although it was not the first home run of the exhibition season, he excited the fans with a huge foul. In the second inning, he hit Ishikawa's first pitch to the left field pole. "I really wanted to Home Run. The moment I hit it, I thought it might have gone," he said with a wry smile. In the ninth inning, Omi was closer to a grounder to third base, and he said, "His fastball had a lot of momentum, and it was fork like I've never seen before. He's the most amazing pitcher I've ever seen," but he gained valuable experience.

If he becomes starting line-up in the opening game against Softbank on the 28th (Mizuho PayPay), it will be the first time in 28 years since Shimizu Masaumi in 1997 that a college graduate rookie has been selected as a starter for the team. When asked if he wanted to use him, Manager Yoshii nodded in the same manner as former Hanshin Tigers manager Okada, saying, "See?" He will also take on the regular season with a full swing. (Ami Shunsuke)