WBC warm-up match: Orix Buffaloes 4-3 Japan (2nd, Kyocera Dome Osaka)

Orix Buffaloes outfielder Yutaro Sugimoto made his presence felt as the fourth batter.

In the first inning, with one out and runners on first and third, he hit a leadoff single to center field off Samurai Japan starter Kikuchi (Angels), who was also born in 1991. "I think he's the most successful player of our generation. I'm so confident now that I've hit a home run," he said with genuine joy.

In 2025, he cleared the required number of plate appearances for the first time in four years and hit a team-high 16 Home Run. He also reunited with former teammate Masataka Yoshida. Yoshida is a junior from Aoyama Gakuin University and is one of the people who respectfully calls him "Yutaro-san" rather than his nickname "Raoh." He was told, "Your batting is looking good," and it seems he will be getting in even better shape for the start of the season.