Lotte's Naonori Yasuda played in 14 games in July with a batting average of .250, but he is currently on a four-game hit streak, and in his last five games he has a batting average of .357, Home Run, and six RBI.

In the game Seibu Lions on July 15, with the score tied 2-2 in the 7th inning with one out and no runner on base, he came in as a pinch hitter. He said, "Since I was a pinch hitter, I swung with all my might. I'm glad it turned out well," and the moment he hit the 151 km/h fastball that Ramirez threw on a 3-ball, 2-strike, it was clear it was a home run to the right field stands for his third home run of the season.

In the game against the Seibu Lions the following day, the 16th, with the score tied 2–2 in the 8th inning with no outs bases loaded, during his fourth at-bat, he said, “I’d been out in my previous three at-bats, but they brought me up in a good spot—it was a chance, so I went for it.I’m glad it turned out well,” said Yutaro Watanabe, who, facing a 1-ball count, didn’t try to fight the 137-kilometer-per-hour outside fork thrown by and drove it into left-center field for a game-winning two-run doble.

Furthermore, in the game against the Softbank Hawks on the 18th, in his first at-bat in the top of the first inning with the score 0–0 and two outs, runners on first and second, “It was a chance to take the lead in the first inning, so I really wanted to get a hit there—I’m glad I did,” he said. He hit a run-scoring single to center fielder on the second pitch—a cutter—thrown by Ryosuke Otsu after a 1-ball count. Then, in his third at-bat in the top of the fifth inning with the score 1–5, two outs, and bases loaded on base,“The score gap was wide, but of course I was hoping to bring runner home with this opportunity, so I’m glad I was able to get a hit,” said Otsu, who, with a 3-ball, 1-strike count, hit a two-run RBI single to right field off fastball. Although the team lost, he showed his mettle with a 2-hit and a 3-RBI.

◆ How to deal with fastball

Since being promoted to the first team for the first time this season on May 30th, he has gained confidence, saying, "I'm getting some extra-base hits, so I think I'm hitting well."

This season, the first home run—Home Run—was hit by Shoki Murakami (Hanshin Tigers) off a 147-kilometer-per-hour pitch fastball; the second was hit by Martinez (The Giants) off a 155-kilometer-per-hour pitch fastball; and the third was hit by Ramirez (Seibu Lions) off a 151-kilometer-per-hour pitch fastball. They have been successfully fending off fast pitches fastball.

"That's one of the key points for me, so I'm consciously trying to make sure that doesn't deviate from the original plan, or rather, to play straight ahead."

In addition to being able to hit fastball, he has a batting average of .333 against left-pitcher pitcher, even though he hasn't faced many this year. In the game Softbank Hawks on the 19th, he hit hit to right field off Yugo Maeda.

Regarding his performance against left-handed pitcher, he said, "I don't have many samples yet, so if you ask me if I'm hitting good balls, I'd say not really, and I feel like I still have a long way to go," suggesting that he hasn't had many at-bats that he's satisfied with.

What's concerning is that, when watching the video, his stance in batter’s box appears to be further from home base than before. When asked about this, he said, "I think I'm further away," and explained the reason: "I've been a little further away since I was in the minor leagues, and I'm using a cross stance, so yes. The position of my right foot is the same, but from the perspective of using a cross stance, I think it looks like I'm further away."

Currently, the team's batting lineup is centered around players of a similar generation, such as Kyota Fujiwara, Koki Yamaguchi, and Misho Nishikawa. Inspired by their presence, Yasuda himself vows to fight alongside them, saying, "Everyone is working hard, so I want to do my best not to be left behind by their momentum."

"I want to do my best to contribute with my bat." His contribution with the bat during the week from July 14th (Tuesday) was outstanding. In order to establish himself in the first team, "consistency" and "stability" will be important. This week, the last week before the All-Star break, he will continue to contribute with his bat.

Interview and text by Yuta Iwashita