I was able to gain a lot of different experiences, so I want to carry this momentum into next year.

Lotte's Kota Inoue looked back on his first year after the transfer in this way.

Inoue, whose appeal lies in his ability to hit long balls to all fields, continued to launch incredible drives into the upper deck of the left-field stands. In the game against the Softbank Hawks on May 10, during his first at-bat in the second inning with one out and a runner on first in a 0-0 game, he hit a two-run home run, his second of the season, into the left-center stands the moment he connected with a first-pitch change-up thrown by Yugo Maeda. Furthermore, in the game against the Softbank Hawks on October 2, during his second at-bat in the fourth inning with one out and no runners in a 0-1 game, he hit a magnificent eighth solo home run, a massive drive to left field the moment he struck a 145 km/h fastball thrown by Yugo Maeda on the second pitch after one strike.

In his first year after the transfer, he hit a career-high 8 home runs this season. In particular, he hit 5 Home Runs during the two-month period of September and October, ending the season with a performance that raises expectations for next year. Reflecting on his power hitting, Inoue said, 'I think the results of my practice have finally shown.'

Kota Inoue is swinging the bat thoroughly during autumn practice at Zozo Marine Stadium and at the Miyakonojo autumn camp. This autumn as well, he left the Pie no Mi Dome with the powerful words, "I'm going to swing!" Expectations are high for his slugging power next season.

Interview and text by Yuta Iwashita