On the 24th, Orix Buffaloes pitcher Soichiro Yamazaki (27) said he was considering pitching in the Red-White game on February 8th, which will be the first real game of the Miyazaki training camp. "I'm preparing for that (Red-White game). That's why I'm in bullpen," he said, having already pitch five times, and plans to have two more before the start of training camp. He plans to demonstrate his speed in training in order to join the solid relief corps.

In bullpen on the 23rd, his fastest pitch was measured at 147 km/h. "Pitch speed also leads to a sense of ease of mind. I was planning to throw it at 153 km/h..." he said, expressing regret, but his sense of fulfillment was also evident. In 2013, he struggled to solidify his form, posting ERA 4.28 in 28 games. However, in just the eight games since September, he has recorded one win and four hold, and his confidence remains high.

In addition to his fastball and curveball, which are consistently over 150 km/h, he is also gaining confidence in his "Fauche." "Rather than dropping it, I compete with the depth," he says of the special pitch, which is somewhere between fork and change-up. He relied on it during his good season in 2013, and successfully put out bases-loaded fires with no bases loaded in two consecutive games. "It would be really great if my three pitches - fastball, curveball and Fache - could become my signature pitches," he said with a bang.

On the same day, he practiced on his own in Maishima, Osaka. closer There are a lot of good pitcher players out there, so we have to go get them," he said. I've been able to focus on the quality and accuracy of my pitches. I have high expectations for myself. pitcher The 160-kilogram right-hander is on a steady rise. （The team is now in its third straight league championship game.)