At a Hokkaido Nippon-Ham fan appreciation event held in November 2024, manager Tsuyoshi Shinjo announced the "double stopper" concept, in which Seigi Tanaka pitcher and Yukiya Saito pitcher are placed as closer In addition to Tanaka pitcher, who pitched in a team-leading 53 games as a guardian god last season, Saito pitcher, who emerged midway through the season, was selected. Both pitcher have speedballs as their weapons and have many similarities, such as a high strike out rate of success. In this article, we will dig deeper into the data of these two players, who are also in the same grade, and explore their potential as double stoppers.

Both pitches are centered around three pitches of the same type.

First, let's take a look at the pitch percentages of both pitcher spheres. Last season, Tanaka pitcher used three pitches, fastball, fork, and slider, which accounted for about 99% of the total pitch. Among them, his strength fastball was 77.5%, making it one of the best pitches in the 12 teams. On the other hand, pitcher Saito also recorded about 95% of the total pitch with three types of pitches, fastball, splitter, and slider. Although the ratio of breaking ball is higher than that of Tanaka pitcher, there is a common point that the pitching is composed mainly of the three types of pitches of the same system.

The pitches that produce a lot of strikeouts are different

Next, we will look more closely at the data on the three pitches that both pitcher had in common. First, looking at fastball, although pitcher 's average speed was about 4km faster, pitcher strikeout rate was higher than pitcher 's at 10.7%. Considering that the league average for strikeout rate for fastball is 7.0%, it is clear that Tanaka's pitcher is an effective pitch for inducing strikeouts. On the other hand, breaking ball fastball in proportion to his average speed, and Saito pitcher outperformed Tanaka pitcher. In particular, Saito's pitcher, splitter boasts an average speed of 145.2km, had a strikeout rate of 21.5%, one of the best numbers in the league.

pitcher Tanaka attacks with fastballs, while pitcher Saito makes full use of breaking ball

Next, let's look at the pitching choices of both pitcher after they have hitter cornered. pitcher 's percentage of pitch with fork increases slightly when there are two strike, but his percentage of fastball pitch remains high at 74.4%. Meanwhile, Saito's percentage of pitch splitter pitcher there are two strike has risen to 43.3%. In general, when the batter is cornered, there is an increased tendency to choose pitches that are more likely to induce fastball. In line with this splitter, Tanaka and pitcher tend to use pitches with high strikeout rates, namely straight pitches and breaking ball. pitcher pitcher fastballs over 150 km/h and similar strike out, and both recorded high strikeout rates last season, but it can be said that they are pitcher with completely different skills.

How to use each player to their full potential

The difference in data between the two pitcher was also reflected in the nature of the batted ball. In general, fastball is more likely to be a fly, and a sinking breaking ball is more likely to hit a grounder. Last season, pitcher Tanaka, who mainly threw straight balls, had a high percentage of fly balls, while pitcher Saito, who has a sharp breaking ball, hit grounders at a high rate. Considering this feature, there is a possibility that it can be used in the use of double stoppers. It may be interesting to use it differently depending on the situation, such as whether it is a ballpark where home run is easy to come out of, whether the ground is dirt or artificial turf, as well as balancing it with the opponent's batting line.

Last season, the team entered Class A for the first time in six years, and this season, under coach Shinjo, who is in his fourth year in charge, he aims to win the long-awaited league title and become the best Japan Hokkaido Nippon-Ham. The use of the double stopper is intended to reduce the burden on individual players, as well as to encourage further competition. Will it be pitcher Tanaka or pitcher Saito who will stand in the mound of jubilation? Will other pitcher break into this competition and take over the throne? Attention will also be paid to Coach Shinjo's tact after the start of the season.

*All figures in the text and table are as of the end of the 2024 season.

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