"I've always wanted to help the team, and I think I've been able to do that in these five games."

In an interview after pre-game practice on the 12th, Lotte's José Castillo reflected on his pitching appearances up to that point. He pitched in the game Orix Buffaloes that same day, closer scoreless for one inning without any runs.

Castillo entered the mound in the 7th inning with the score tied 2-4, and despite being held by the leadoff Keita Nakagawa, he threw the seventh pitch, a 150 km/h two seam fastball from 0 balls 2 strike, grounding out to second base. The following Ryoma Yamanaka was also 1 ball, 2 strike, and the fourth pitch, two seam fastball, was rebounded to the third shortstop gap, but a good defense of short stop and Atsuki Tomosugi assisted the innings for two outs. In the end, Ryoma Nishikawa was ahead with 3 balls and 0 strike, but from there they took the strike with two balls on slider, and after setting up the count with 3 balls and 2 strike, they finally grounded out to second on the fastball of the sixth pitch. The three of them safely retired the 1-inning.

◆ Passionate about research

Castillo was diagnosed with a left hamstring injury in March during spring training and had to leave the game, but he said, "In the minor leagues, there are some really strong Japanese hitters who swing aggressively, so I was studying that aspect," referring to his research into the characteristics of Japanese hitter during his rehabilitation and appearances in minor league games. "Also, I communicate with catcher, and I have complete trust in catcher. We talk things through and get the batters closer. It's more of an approach, and I work together with catcher," he said, emphasizing his communication with catcher staff.

After being promoted to the mound of the first team, he runs in his first appearance on June 23 against Nippon-Ham, but since Game Softbank Hawks on June 28, he has been runs for five consecutive games. In the game Orix Buffaloes on July 10, with one out and runners on first and second in the fourth inning with 3-4, he came in relieving Koshiro Hiroike as starter, flying out to right and grounding Nishikawa to first.

Watching Castillo’s “pitch,” it’s clear that his “strike” leads into “pitch” with excellent tempo. “People have been telling me to keep up the tempo for a long time, and I think I’m able to do that here in Japan as well,” he said with a calm expression.

In terms of pitch types, his slider is outstandingly good. Zozo Marine Stadium In his first appearance in the first team on June 28 against Softbank Hawks, he retired Kenta Imamiya from 1 ball to 2 strike in 12 innings with one out and no runner 3-3, swinging from 1 ball to 2 and struck out a 139 km/h slider inside course, which was outstanding.

What role does slider play in Castillo's pitch repertoire?

"slider is my most confident pitch, so I'm throwing it a lot, and I think its accuracy will improve as I play more games. I want to continue working hard."

Castillo, who loves Japanese anime and music, uses King Gnu's "SPECIALZ," the theme song from his favorite anime "Jujutsu Kaisen," as his entrance music when he takes the mound at Zozo Marine Stadium. When asked if he had come to love Japanese anime and music in preparation for coming to Japan, he said, "I've loved them since I was a child, and I wanted to play more songs in America, but the settings are determined there, so I didn't have many opportunities. That's why I couldn't play them."

Castillo, who loves Japan and diligently studies Japanese baseball to adapt to it, said this summer, "Every time I take the mound, I want to help the team, but my team has defense, so I want to trust my backline and just go for it." He is determined to give his all for the team.

(Interpreter pitcher José Castillo: Ricky Santos Takata)

Interview and text by Yuta Iwashita