Japan's WBC team Softbank Hawks and Kensuke Kondo outfielder (32) came forward as the first hitter of the Samurai on the 27th. He held a talk show with Ryota Igarashi, 46, an alumnus of the team, in Fukuoka Prefecture. 同氏が１番を推奨すると、自身も「出塁するというところでは一番生かせるのかなと思います」と乗り気だった。 He added, "Even if I die, I don't want to bat behind Otani. It's too heavy a load," he said, rejecting the batting order immediately following the strongest hitter.
In the previous tournament in 2011, Nutobar, Kondo, and Otani were fixed from No. 1 to No. 3. Murakami was initially assigned the No. 4 spot behind Ohtani, but he fell into an extreme slump, and Yoshida took over the No. 4 spot from the quarterfinals. Even Betts seems to have a tough time," he said, referring to the MLB star who is struggling at No. 2 behind Ohtani with the Dodgers, and emphasizing how difficult the role is. What we have to think about most is who will bat after Shohei (Ohtani). （I think only Seiya (Suzuki), Murakami, and Okamoto can hit. hitter I think the rest will be decided by which batting order of those two (Otani and behind him) we can fit into the lineup.
As a senior from his time with Nippon-Ham, Ohtani is a valuable presence with whom he can talk freely. "He was a big hit last time, but he's become even more of an incredible player these past three years," he said, acknowledging that Ohtani has grown even bigger, but their relationship remains unchanged. "It would be a problem if he had changed. I'll make sure to give him proper guidance in that regard," he said, and Ohtani is also expected to act as a liaison.
Although he was unable to reach the required number of at-bats last year due to back surgery, he is a genius hitter has had an on-base percentage of over 40% for nine consecutive years. "I'm at an age where I'm counting from the top at this tournament. Now that I'm in that position, I feel an added layer of pressure and I want to work hard to win the championship again." He will once again aim for the top with his junior, whom he calls "the world's No. 1 player." (Shimao Koichiro)
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