On March 26, Hirokazu Ibata, 50, manager of Samurai Japan, announced the additional members of Japan's national team for the 6th World Baseball Classic (WBC) in March. Orix Buffaloes ・ Hiroya Miyagi pitcher (24) was selected for the team, following the previous tournament in 2011. I hope I can show that I have grown more than last time.
Miyagi joined Orix Buffaloes from Konan High School (Okinawa) as the first pick in the 2019 draft. In his second year as a pro in 2021, he recorded 13 wins (4 losses) and was named Rookie of the Year. He then recorded double-digit win and cleared the required innings pitched for three consecutive years until 2023. In 2013, he pitched a career-high 150 1/3 innings and recorded strike out rate in both leagues at 9.88.
In the previous tournament in 2011, he made his first appearance as the third pitcher in the first round match against the Czech Republic (Tokyo Dome) on March 11th, pitching well and allowing only one runs in five innings to record a save. Although he only played in that one game in the tournament, he became a cog in the world's best team. In the Samurai Japan training match against the Netherlands (Kyocera Dome Osaka) on March 5th, 2013, he started and pitch a perfect three innings, allowing no hit and no runs and strike out. "He's at that level now, so there's no need to worry about it. Naturally, he'll be positioned there (as a left-handed pitcher)," says manager Ibata, who has great confidence in him.
On this day, Miyagi said, "I've been given a great opportunity. I'll prepare well, and although there will be a lot of pressure, I hope I can contribute to Japan. I hope we can all work hard and get there." He had his sights set on the top spot. In an international tournament with a pitch count limit, the presence of a left-handed pitcher who can be counted on as the second starter is invaluable. He will be the driving force behind the team's quest for consecutive world championships.
◆宮城 大弥（みやぎ・ひろや）２００１年８月２５日、沖縄・宜野湾市生まれ。２４歳。少年野球「志真志ドラゴンズ」で野球を始め、中学は「宜野湾ポニーズ」に在籍。興南では１、２年夏に甲子園出場。３年時はＵ―１８日本代表に選出され、１９年のドラフト１位でオリックス入団。２１年に１３勝を挙げ、パ・リーグ新人王を獲得した。２３年ＷＢＣでは侍ジャパンの世界一に貢献。１７１センチ、８５キロ。左投左打。
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・ "Newlywed Samurai" Hiroya Miyagi Orix Buffaloes play in the WBC for the second consecutive tournament... Southpaw is extremely valuable in the absence of Imanaga and others
・ Orix Buffaloes 's Ryuhei Sotani selected for the WBC for the first time: "It's been great playing baseball up until now. I want to give back in some small way and show my gratitude through my play."
・ The left-handed pitcher slot has been filled! Ryuhei Sotani Orix Buffaloes "roller coaster slider," is selected for his first WBC appearance.
・ Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the ace immediately after the announcement of his participation, has won the WBC for two consecutive tournaments... He has won eight championships with the Samurai, Dodgers, and Orix Buffaloes
・ [Orix Buffaloes] Leo Yamaguchi, a second-year high school graduate, will also be in the starting rotation. "I want to compete well in the first team." The 193cm right-hander, who made his debut in his rookie year, is also determined.
