Shunsuke Nakamori of the Chiba Lotte Marines, in his fifth professional season last year, pitched 29 1/3 innings in 25 games during the first half of the season, relying on fastball exceeding 150 km/h and fork. He boasted an outstanding record of 2 wins, 2 losses, 10 hold, 5 saves, and an ERA of 1.23, earning his first-ever All-Star appearance. However, after the All-Star break, he was unable to pitch in the first team due to lower back pain. He is currently spending time in the minor leagues, aiming to return to the first team in full health.
Nakamori made his first appearance of the season regular season for the second team on the 18th Rakuten Eagles against the second team. 1-1 in the 8th inning, he took the lead Atsuki Muto in the first inning, all fastball on one ball two strike from the fourth pitch, a 146 km fastball that snapped the bat for a ground ball. The next Soshi Yoshino was also 146 km fastball and a fly ball. Takumi Aono He bounced a fastball to left field, but he got Ryosuke Tatsumi, who has a track record of winning the title of most hit in 24 years in the first team, to ground out to two outs with a 147 km fastball on the second pitch from one ball.
On the 18th Rakuten Eagles of the second army game, he threw 1 inning 14 pitches, 13 of which were fastball pitches. fastball On why he was the main pitch player, he said, "It's a part of preparation for competing in the first team, so in my case, if the straight doesn't come up, I can't compete. I need to get it back to a straight line so that I can wait for the hitter and then foul it out, swing at it, or count get it ready," he explained.
Although he has broken Mutoh's bat, he also revealed that the power of fastball has "improved since last time, and his condition is getting better and better. I think it will improve in his next appearance as well, so I think things are going smoothly."
However, he's not satisfied with the current speed of fastball, saying, "It's still not good enough." Last season, he said he wanted to get his fastball average down to the low 150s km/h, but he was throwing fastball exceeding 150 km/h throughout the season. Is he aiming for fastball around 150 km/h again, just like last season?
He said, "150 is the minimum, and when you have that and you have the breaking ball to hit the course and strike out, then you can finally compete. In my case, I was entrusted with a good part of the game last year, and if I have to pitch in a tense situation, I need to be fastball strong. breaking ball I need to get back to last year's level first. That's where I start."
In terms of breaking ball, last season he was able to get swings and misses with fork, which increased strike out, and strike out rate rose from 4.88 in 2024 to a career-high 11.05 in 2025. Regarding fork, he analyzed, "Last season, my fastball got stronger, which helped improve fork as well, so I think if my fastball improves even more, breaking ball as a whole will improve."
mound in the major leagues demands results. Does he currently have a plan in mind for how to return to that stage?
"I injured my lower back last year, so I'll be monitoring its condition. As long as there's no recurrence there, I think I can compete, and I'll also be taking care of my shoulder, elbow, and various other parts of my body. I believe I'll be able to do this thanks to the support of many people. In order to compete there (on the first team stage), I want to take on each challenge one by one, with the help of many people."
Last year, the team ended with disappointing results, but Nakamori's performance in the first half of the season was a beacon of hope for The Marines fans. Many fans are looking forward to seeing Nakamori on mound in the first team. He will continue to prepare to compete in the first team.
Interview and text by Yuta Iwashita
