Shohei Tateyama and Akihiko Oya, who appeared on "Pro baseball News 2026" broadcast on Fuji TV ONE on the 23rd, commented on Orix Buffaloes 's Leo Yamaguchi.

Yamaguchi made his first start of the season against Softbank Hawks on the same day, closer Softbank Hawks lineup to just one runs through four innings. In the bottom of the fifth inning, immediately after his team took the lead with a timely hit by Ryu Sugisawa, he gave up a go-ahead two-run homer to Tomoya Masaki. He was then taken out of the game, having pitched 4 1/3 innings, hit 5 hits, strike out 5, BB 3, and giving up 3 runs.

Tateyama commented, "He has solid scale. Not only is fastball strong, but he also showed the ability to make adjustments in the second inning, throwing slider from strike to balls. He has good control over the speed. I think he's quite skillful."

Mr. Oya said, "The batters at the top must have learned how intimidating he is, and he had some good slider, but I think they learned that if they're even a little too easy to hit, they'll get beaten as inning go on. I think this is a learning experience for them."

☆ Cooperation: Fuji TV ONE "Professional baseball News 2026"