Nippon-Ham pitcher Kota Yazawa (25) announced on the 27th that he is moving away from his speedy character and is aiming to hit double-digit Home Run and stolen base 30 bases, the first time the team has done so since Nishikawa Haruki (10 home runs, 44 stolen base) in 2018. Last season, he started the season as the leadoff hitter, but due to a left knee injury, he had a batting average of .247 with one Home Run and 11 stolen base bases in 86 games. He mostly played as a pinch runner in the second half of the season and was unable to secure a regular spot. "When people first say he's fast, it makes me think he's a mediocre player. Players who only have speed are often called fast. To avoid that, I need to hit first. I really want to hit double-digit home run stolen base 30 bases," he said, aiming for numbers that would be unheard of since Nishikawa, who returns to his former team this season.
In the second half of last season, he received instructions from his manager to hit long balls, saying, "You don't need to aim for single hit in front of the point," and he continued to teach him this even after the season ended. During last season's fall training camp, he hit a series of huge home runs into the second-tier seats in right field at Escon during batting practice, showing such growth that he was praised directly by the club's executives. "The feeling was really good. There was no unnecessary force, and it felt like he was hitting the ball as he was moving. I was a little surprised that the people watching could tell," he said, expressing his satisfaction.
Starting on the 24th, she will be taking part in an early voluntary training session in Nago, Okinawa. For her fourth year at the camp, she brought a new extra-large yoga mat, about 3 tatami mats in size. "I put a mattress in the space next to my bed, put a switch pole and care products there, and made it my own room," she said, making some small improvements to her lodgings. She plans to create an environment where she can always stretch, and also raise awareness of injury prevention.
His ultimate goal this season is to inherit number from Manager Shinjo. "number 1 is really cool, isn't it? I'd like to see myself wearing it." The one and only 2022 first draft pick will also show his difference at the plate.
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