Lotte's Misho Nishikawa outfielder, who won last season's Pacific League rookie of the year award, revealed his training session with Hanshin Tigers Shota Morishita outfielder and Chunichi Makoto Kamihayashi outfielder in Okinawa Prefecture on March 16. The goal for the second year of the team's quest for further growth is to "top hitter & double-digit Home Run rankings".
Nishikawa hit a league-high 27 doble in his first year, but admitted he was disappointed with only three Home Run. Taking inspiration from the two pitchers, who boast some of the longest hitting distances in Central League, he is currently working on improving his batting style by "imagining crushing the ball rather than giving it a spin," which increases the power of his hits.
On his days off, he also met with Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki, who is currently training in Okinawa Prefecture. He agreed, saying, "Suzuki also said he's changed his image to crushing the ball." He aims to become a major league-level hitter with a new batting style that combines reliability and distance.
Related News
・ [Lotte] First-round draft pick Misho Nishikawa brings two gloves to start his "two-way" career. "I'll be well prepared" to secure his regular position.
・ Seibu Lions 's Manaya Nishikawa will play in every game next season and win the most hit! He will not be outdone by new recruit Masashi Kuwahara! His contract renewal will be more than double the amount.
・ [Lotte] Manager Yoshii Masato on first-round draft pick Misho Nishikawa: "I hope he can guard somewhere along center fielder line."
・ [Orix Buffaloes] "This year, I want to nail down my style and see it through," says Ryoma Nishikawa as he aims to regain dominance with a "transformation in his second year"
・ [Orix Buffaloes] Ryoma Nishikawa: "It's all about hitting. Last year was a disaster..." The genius hitter is determined to bounce back in his second year in the Pacific League
