Lotte's Ryusei Terachi had a batting average of .185 at the end of August, but he hit .327 in September and October, ultimately finishing the season with a .224 batting average.

Since entering September, there were many instances where he managed to get a hit even while being thrown off balance. In the game against the Seibu Lions on September 19, during his first at-bat in the first inning with two outs and no runner on while trailing 0-1, he said, "I think I was able to draw the ball in because of the timing and the fact that I could see the ball itself for a long time." He skillfully adjusted his timing to a 118 km/h curveball thrown by Chihiro Sumida on the fourth pitch after a two-strike count, hitting it into right field despite being off balance.

In his second at-bat in the third inning with two outs and a runner on first while trailing 0-2, he said, 'That was the same; I was able to watch the ball for a long time and pick up the breaking ball well, so I think it was good.' Despite his timing being slightly off, he hit a doble to right field off the sixth pitch, a 136 km/h cutter thrown by Sumida on a 2-ball, 2-strike count.

In the game against the Rakuten Eagles on September 30, during his fourth at-bat in the 9th inning with no outs and no runners while trailing 0-3, he hit a 145 km/h fork on the low inside corner thrown by Shoma Fujihira on a 2-ball 2-strike count, managing to drive it into right field for a hit even as his posture was broken.

In the game against the Softbank Hawks on October 3rd, during his first at-bat with two outs and no runner on in the scoreless first inning, he managed to hit a slider thrown by Haru Matsumoto on a two-strike count into right field, even while being pulled off balance.

The fact that he is getting hits even while being thrown off balance might be because he is able to track the ball for a long time or because his timing is well-established.

I was aiming for the fastball, but I was able to stay balanced and keep my axis steady against the low breaking ball. Being able to pick it up in front at the end is one of my strengths, so I think I was able to demonstrate that effectively.

Reference: Kensuke Kondo of the Softbank Hawks

Regarding the timing, I am using the way Kensuke Kondo of the Softbank Hawks and Shogo Sakakura of Hiroshima lift their right legs as a reference.

Terachi was in the starting line-up as the first baseman for the games against the Softbank Hawks on October 2nd and 3rd. After Kondo reached base with a hit or a Walk, one wonders if there was an opportunity to ask him questions on first base.

I wanted to ask you something, but I was a bit nervous and couldn't bring myself to speak to you. If there is an opportunity to truly talk to you somewhere next season, there are things I want to ask and hear from you.

So, one wonders if they are watching Kondo's pre-game batting practice from the bench.

I don't particularly watch him before games, but during games when I'm not playing or behind the scenes, I have many opportunities to see Kondo's batting, so I've been observing things like how he uses his right leg and how he takes his timing.

◆ Rival of the same grade, Yugo Maeda

In the game against the Softbank Hawks on October 2nd, he faced Yugo Maeda, who is in the same school year, and recorded a three-hit performance.

He expressed his joy, saying, 'Since we are classmates, I was a bit more conscious of it than in a typical match, so I am happy that I was able to get a hit in that situation.'

I have frequently asked Terachi about Yu Maeda, and he showed his fighting spirit, saying, 'I think he has been pitching very well this year, and in terms of my head-to-head record against him, I think I've only hit about one hit, so I have a feeling that I don't want to lose. I want to do my best to leave behind results that are not inferior to his' (interviewed on July 19), and 'He has achieved double-digit wins and I think he is gaining momentum, so I can't afford to lose either. I will do my best to keep up with him' (interviewed on August 22).

Since Terachi and Yu Maeda are in the same grade, both entered the pros straight out of high school, and have been rising to prominence since their second year, I have personally taken the liberty of framing them as rivals, but I wonder what the actual situation is like.

We get along well, but he is on a completely different level, so I will do my best to catch up to him.

I personally have high expectations for Terachi to become the number one player of the 2005 generation.

Regarding that point, he answered with a shy smile, 'Being number one... yes, I have that desire,' and added with conviction, 'Kimura also got injured and things turned out that way, but I think he feels frustrated, and I believe both he and I need to step up right now, so I want to become number one.'

◆ Finishing the season in better form

He recorded three hits against Maeda Yu, who is in the same school year, and went on a hitting spree during the final stages of the season.

In an interview on September 10th, he said, 'I've been sent down twice, and as I've come back up for the second time, I'm starting to regain the feeling I had before. I hope to solidify that over the remaining 10-plus games and ultimately carry it into next season.' Later, in an interview on October 4th, he remarked, 'It's happening little by little, but I think that good feeling is starting to emerge.'

On the other hand, she showed a greedy attitude of not being satisfied with the current situation, saying, "I feel that I still have a long way to go, so I think I can raise my level even further from here."

After the season ends, I will participate in the Miyazaki Phoenix League, followed by the autumn training camp. I intend to brush up on what I am currently working on.

Interview and text by Yuta Iwashita