"I want to pitch stably throughout the year. At the same time, I think it's best to be a pitcher who is trusted by the entire team and be able to make good pitch."

Lotte's new foreign left-handed pitcher, Long, has shown consistent pitch in practice games and exhibition games, making him a very promising prospect heading into the season opener.

Watching footage of Long during his time in the majors, his fastball, thrown to the outside corner for left-handed hitter and the inside corner for right-handed hitter was excellent.

"I consider my fastball to be one of my most confident pitches. I'm throwing it cleanly from mound, and I feel like I'm getting the release point right. I want to continue preparing like this so that I'm ready for the opening day."

His breaking ball include slider, curves, change-up, and he's particularly good at throwing slider and curves to the inside corner against right-handed hitter. "I plan to use breaking ball a lot, and I'm trying to get ahead in strike as much as possible to get good results."

He joined the Miyakonojo spring training camp on February 1st. On February 2nd, he entered bullpen for the first time since arriving in Japan. "It's really great. All my teammates are fighting with all their might at the Japanese camp, they're diligent and hardworking, and it's been a wonderful camp," he said, describing his fulfilling experience at the camp.

He made his debut in an exhibition game against DeNA on February 19th, and then made his first start in a friendly match against the Czech Republic on February 26th. In March, he pitched three innings in an exhibition game against Rakuten Eagles on the 5th, but from the game Orix Buffaloes on the 11th he pitched one inning for three consecutive games, throwing pitch early in strike innings against Seibu Lions on the 14th and Hanshin Tigers on the 17th, finishing each inning in just nine pitches. In the exhibition games, he pitched seven innings in five games, allowing only one hit and boasting an outstanding ERA of 0.00.

After actually throwing in a game, are there any types of pitches that are easier to handle with the Japanese ball?

"There's nothing particularly special about it, but I'm confident in all breaking ball, so I think I'm able to handle all Japanese balls well."

Regarding adjusting to the Japanese mound, he said, "Basically, there's absolutely no problem. I've had experience as reliever in America, and I've pitched on the same mound where I've been used before. I've pitched in various environments, so I think I'm able to adjust well." He doesn't seem worried at all.

"I can't wait for the season to start," he said, eagerly anticipating the opening of the professional baseball on March 27th. "I want to do my job properly, and on top of that, I want to pitch with all my might to help the team win, and if I had to say one more thing, I want to talk a lot with my teammates and become good friends with them." In his first year with the team, if he can become an indispensable part of The Marines 'pitcher staff, pitcher strength will improve. We can expect great things from him.

Interview and text by Yuta Iwashita