"The timing was a bit inconsistent, but there was a feeling that this was the right thing, so I hope to be able to carry that into the season."

Lotte's Ryusei Terachi is heading into the season with a certain level of confidence.

During batting practice on February 1st, the first day of spring training in Miyakonojo, he said, "I think I lowered my center of gravity just a little," and he was hitting with a stance that lowered his center of gravity. However, from batting practice on February 3rd, he said, "Go-san (coach Tsuyoshi Nishioka) told me that my swing start was inconsistent and I was often being jammed or thrown off balance, so he told me to start my swing earlier, hold on, and wait before hitting," and he started his swing earlier.

During batting practice that day, many of the balls were hit hard to the opposite field from center fielder. Terachi himself felt good about it, saying, "It's been a while since I've hit so many strong balls, so I think there are more good things about myself." He added enthusiastically, "I want to build on this and, starting from the next training center fielder, hit strong balls to the opposite field from center field without pulling the ball too much."

During batting practice on February 5th, he said, "I was surprised too. I thought, 'Is this how it's going to go?' I think it was really good," as he hit many strong balls over center fielder field. He faced pitcher for the first time this season in live batting practice on February 10th. Reflecting on his one-handed hit to right field off an inside breaking ball thrown by Shota Suzuki on the first pitch of the second set, he said, "It was a low breaking ball, and it was a little close to my body, so I think I was able to react well, which was good." Regarding his fourth pitch, a fly ball to left-center field that was caught by center fielder Akito Takabe he said, "That was good, but I think if I had pushed a little harder, it would have gone over the fence, so I think that's something I need to reflect on." He summarized his performance in live batting practice that day as, "Surprisingly, it was a good result for myself, about 75 points."

He started earlier than last year, and although there were still some things I hadn't quite gotten the hang of, he reflected, "I started earlier than last year, and it was good that I was able to hit a solid shot on the second ball (of the first set)."

"I feel good about the start of my swing, so I'll continue to work on that, but I also need to improve my batting and handling inside pitches. (The third pitch of the second set) I think the ball that resulted in a first baseman ball to first base was a bit of a ball, but I think if I keep my left hand on it and shift my weight properly, I can turn around in place and hit a ball to right field, even if it doesn't go into fair field, so I'll continue to work on that, including practicing," he said, listing his areas for improvement.

In exhibition games, during the open game against Rakuten Eagles on February 21st, in the bottom of the ninth inning with two outs and no runner on base, in his fourth strike, he hit a 143 km/h inside cutter from Masaya Nishigaki, breaking his bat with one hand as the ball dropped into right field for a hit, which was a hit.

Regarding how to handle inside pitches in actual games, he said, "I want to rotate using myself as the axis, and if it's a tough one, I'd like to be able to hit it with just one hand. If I can swing with both hands without letting go, I think I'll be able to hit more extra-base hits. I think my technique is lacking in that area, so I hope to improve from here on out."

When facing Koyo Aoyagi (Yakult), Seiki Nakanishi (Chunichi), Yorinosuke Sakurai (Chunichi), and Tatsuki Ito (Rakuten Eagles), he was hitting with a smaller lift of his right leg. Could this be related to timing or the start of his swing?

"Yes, my timing was inconsistent, so I focused on getting a consistent timing. Also, I tried to get firmly on my axis, and when I went to hit the ball, I tried to visualize getting back onto the previous axis."

At the end of the open game against Hanshin Tigers on March 17, the second batter without runner an out in the 5th inning of 1-2, Hiroto Saiki hit a 149 km fastball on the 6th pitch he threw from 1 ball 2 strike to center fielder wall directly doble that looked like a pitch he had worked on in the spring camp, and on March 22 Chunichi the fourth batter without runner two outs in the 9th inning of 1-6 At bat, Abreu threw a second pitch from 1 ball, 156 km fastball outside corner, to left Home Run without opposition, which was good.

"I think it was a huge advantage that I was able to finish the inning with just one ball, and the ball went well to my strong point, the left side, so I don't feel like I'm in bad shape at all. I think I just need to keep improving from here."

The pennant race will begin in two days. "I think they're using me at third base because they want me to make the most of my batting, so first and foremost, I want to focus on my batting. Based on last year's performance, I want to do my best to surpass last year's results." He intends to contribute to the team's win with his bat.

Interview and text by Yuta Iwashita