L. Moinello pitcher, a native of Cuba, has made great strides so far this season with an impressive 5-0 record and a ERA 1.30 (as of pre-game on the 13th) in 10 starts.

In May 2017, at the age of 21, he joined Fukuoka Softbank Hawks as a developmental player and was signed to a controlling contract the following month. Since then, he has continued to support bullpen as a reliever and last season, when he switched to starting, he won the best ERA title with an 11-5 record and ERA 1.88. He is loved by many fans for his cheerful character, and is now an indispensable member of the team.

In this article, we look at the roots of L. Moinello pitcher.

◇　◇　◇

Q: You have been doing well so far this season, how do you feel about that?

◇ ◇ ◇ - Since spring camp, I think I have been preparing well in my own way, and I think it is paying off. I am having a good season, and I want to keep this condition as long as I can.


Q. First of all, I would like to ask you about what you were doing before coming to Japan. baseball How did you get started?

I grew up in an environment in Cuba where baseball equipment was not available, so when I was a little girl, I used to play by throwing oranges at stones. It was just then that my baseball coach saw me doing this and took me to ball park. He has since passed away, but he saw me throwing oranges and realized I had a talent for baseball, so I started baseball in earnest, first as first baseman. From there, I also played as pitcher while doing outfielder, and as a result I became pitcher because there were the fewest number of pitcher in the Cuban national team selection at the time.


Q: Can you tell us about your career after that?

After that, it was ups and downs: I was 19 or 20 years old when I was first called up to the Cuban national team, and I had a terrible ...... performance. But I think that experience helped me to grow even more. It was a very short time, but it was a very good experience.


Q: Besides Japan, I think you had the option to play in many other countries.

I think there were teams in Cuba that would have wanted me, but I grew up watching the Japanese national team play against the Cuban national team in the WBC and Olympics, so I am very grateful to the team for giving me the opportunity to play in Japan.


Q: What is the difference between Japan baseball and Latin America baseball that you have felt after playing in Japan for the past 8 years?

I think Japan has a stronger sense of belonging to the team. In terms of technical aspects, Japanese pitcher have good control as well as speed. And the Japanese hitter don't have as much power as their Latin American counterparts, but they have very good contact, and they swing the bat by reading the pitch distribution.


Q: How did you adapt?

I tried to actively communicate with the various players and the interpreter at the time. I also watched game footage over and over again. I watched many games that I had pitched that were not good, and when I returned to Cuba in the off-season, I practiced based on the issues I found there.


Q: You must have struggled with cultural differences as well.

I think everyone experiences this when Latin American players come to Japan, but I had a hard time being disciplined. Latin Americans are not accustomed to being punctual, so I first tried to get used to being on time. At first, it was difficult to get ready for the bus that was leaving in an hour.

What are the goals that L. Moinelo is aiming for in his ninth year in Japan?

-What do you think of the current Pacific League and Fukuoka Softbank Hawks?

First of all, I think Pacific League hitter are good hitters and there are many good pitcher, so the level is very high. As for The Hawks, they have always had good results over the past eight years, they are a great team, and above all, they have a great atmosphere. I'm sure the players' very cheerful atmosphere is conveyed to the fans through their play.


--Currently, Pacific League games are broadcast in Latin America, Taiwan, South Korea, Canada, and the United States, so you can watch Fukuoka Softbank Hawks games and pitcher L. Moinelo's performance from all over the world.

I think that's a wonderful thing. Like MLB, I think that NPB will spread to various regions, and "Japanese baseball" will become an option for many people who play baseball around the world.


--Once again, can you tell us your goals for this season?

First of all, to become champion again. Personally, I want to win a title and keep winning.


-Finally, please give a message to Pacific League fans.

Japanese baseball fans are always well behaved and very energetic when they cheer. Thank you for your continued support! I look forward to your continued support!

◇ ◇ ◇

Interview: Shintaro Takebayashi
Written by Manyuko Goto