Sho Nakata's observation on Ryoya Kurihara 's "evolution" is: "He's able to bring the ball deep into his body."

Pacific League Insight

Sho Nakata © Pacific League TV
Sho Nakata © Pacific League TV

On June 1, Ryota Igarashi, Atsushi Nomi, and Sho Nakata appeared on the official Persol Pacific League TV YouTube channel segment 'Monday to Patele,' where they highly praised Fukuoka Softbank and Ryoya Kurihara 's batting.

Kurihara recorded 11 Home Run in May, including 4 Home Run in last week's six-game series, and currently leads 12 teams with 16 Home Run. In the game against Hiroshima on the 31st, he hit his 16th two-run homer in the bottom of the sixth inning. Nakata analyzes the factors behind this strong performance as follows.

"When I lift my foot, I firmly land on the pivot foot and wait for the ball. My batting is already very good, but since I can draw the ball into my own pocket, I can make these powerful swings. I think I'm hitting well at the spots I like."

Furthermore, the "Nakata Award" for which Nakata chose the best hitter of the week went to Kurihara. Nakata is interested in his performance, saying, "He's always been a hitter who can hit extra-base, but he's steadily improving his slugging percentage, and he seems likely to establish himself as a home run batter."

During Nakata's playing days, Kurihara said, "I never thought of him as a home run batter." Although he is indeed the core of the lineup, his career high of 21 Home Run is somewhat low for a home run batter. Igarashi nodded in agreement, saying, "Kurihara is currently mass-producing Home Run, and he must have felt the pressure himself."

Nakata responded, "Both the batter and the pitcher lineup have some subtle adjustments within themselves. They may look exactly the same on TV, but in reality, there are many things I've changed a little. I think that's something I'm really hooked on. The follow-through hasn't been this big until now," he said.

◇ ◇ ◇

Even on Mondays, when there are few games, we started with the hope of creating a time for professional baseball and Pacific League fans to have fun. This week, we delivered the event through "B-Union," a Japanese-born brand that connects players, fans, and the city from stadiums, and is also the official cap supplier for Chiba Lotte Marines.

Additionally, 10 winners will be selected by lottery to receive a B-Union Patere cap (not for sale). How to apply is announced at the end of the broadcast.

LIVE Streaming Program 'Monday Goes to Patele'
・Streaming date: Every Monday at 21:00~ (scheduled to stream until October during the season)
・Streaming location: Persol Pacific League TV Official YouTube Channel
・Performers: Weekly rotating professional baseball alumni duo
(Ryota Igarashi & Sho Nakata / Ginji & Yuji Kaneko / GG Sato & T-Okada / Motonobu Tanishige & Tomoya Satozaki)

Next week on Monday the 8th, Ginji and Yuji Kaneko, along with guest Takayuki Kajitani, are scheduled to appear. Don't miss out!

Article provided by:Pacific League Insight

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Sho Nakata's observation on Ryoya Kurihara 's "evolution" is: "He's able to bring the ball deep into his body."