"As I continue to throw, I'm getting a great sense of whether my fastballs are getting swings and misses or fouls, so I don't feel uncomfortable throwing them, and I'm also getting better at seeing the batters' reactions. I think that's a big plus for me."
Lotte's third-year high school graduate, Yuto Kimura, will make his first start of the season in the game against Nippon-Ham at 6:30 PM.
Kimura pitched 18 innings in 4 exhibition games with ERA of 3.50. In his final appearance regular season on March 24 against Yakult' minor league team, he threw 55 pitches over 4 innings, hit strike out 4, BB giving up no runs.
In an open game against Hanshin Tigers on March 18, 0-0 in the first inning without runner one out, Takumu Nakano missed from 1 ball 2 strike to struck out the 5th pitch, an in-course 148 km fastball, and in his last appearance Yakult against the Niguns, he threw 8 of his first 11 pitches fastball, a powerful fastball.
"The straight pitch is the most important pitch to me, so if my straight pitch falls apart, my breaking breaking ball won't be as effective either. I think my strengths are the precision, quality, and effortless feel of my straight pitch, so instead of throwing with 100% power, I try to throw a ball around 150 even with 80% power. I focused on throwing with power, and the batters seemed to be caught off guard, so I think they reacted very well and I was able to process it."
In the breaking ball, in the open game against Hanshin Tigers on March 18th, in the second inning of 0-0 with two outs and first base, Nozomi Takadera was hit with a swing struck out from 1 ball 2 strike to the 4th pitch of 137 kg splitter was good.
Kimura himself said, "There are still some things I'm unsure about," but added, "Seeing reactions like that makes me think that what I've been doing isn't wrong, and I've talked to various people about how to throw fork and so on, and I feel like I'm on the right track. The feeling of throwing it is good too," showing that he's gained confidence.
He has a wide variety of pitches, including not only splitter but also cutter, vertical curveball, change-up, and he can throw strike with any of them. His ability to choose his pitches depending on hitter and his own condition on any given day is a strength.
"During the game, I observe the opposing batter's reactions, and each batter has their own characteristics. I throw with the intention of getting struck out with this pitch, so I think it's good to make decisions while observing the opponent's reactions and the situation of the game."
Immediately after entering the pros, he cited cutter as his favorite ball, but now he says, "There are some things that are tough when it comes to straight cuts. I want to use the zone strongly, and even if everything is not in a tight place, if I can get a count on any ball to some extent, the opposing batter will think more and my range of pitch will expand. That is a negative for a great opponent batter, and it is a plus for me. I don't want to lose in terms of distribution."
Having gained experience as both a starter and reliever last season, Kimura has set his sights on achieving double-digit win this season. When asked what it takes to achieve double-digit win, he stated firmly, "First and foremost, it's essential to be able to consistently hold my place in the rotation for the entire year, and most importantly, to be able to pitch without being absent from the rotation." "If I can pitch my own game, I think I can compete to a certain extent, so I just want to keep a positive mindset and make sure my pitching doesn't decline." Kimura's third professional season is about to begin.
Interview and text by Yuta Iwashita
