A feat not achieved in 59 years by a player in their first three years out of high school! Softbank Hawks 's Yugo Maeda achieves 8 consecutive wins to start the season. Tanizawa says, "He's growing with every pitch." | Pacific League League.com

A feat not achieved in 59 years by a player within three years of graduating high school! Softbank Hawks 's Yugo Maeda achieves 8 consecutive wins to start the season. Tanizawa says, "He's growing with every pitch."

Baseball King

July 26, 2026 21:10

◆Regarding pitch performance, he said, "It was a bit difficult against left-handed hitter..."

Softbank Hawks 's Yugo Maeda started on the mound against Seibu Lions on the 26th. He pitched 6 innings, throwing 93 pitches, allowing 3 hit out 5 strike out 3, and giving up no Hit by Pitch, earning his 8th win of the season without runs.

Winning eight straight games to start the season within three years of graduating from high school is a feat not seen in 59 years. The left-hander has shown exceptional stability with ERA of 1.41 so far, and commentator Kenichi Tanizawa on Fuji TV ONE's "Pro baseball News 2026" broadcast on the 26th praised him, saying, "His fastball is getting sharper with each throw, and fork is being controlled low. He's pitcher who is growing with each outing. He also has good composure on mound." Regarding pitch on this day, he commented, "He seemed to struggle a bit against left-handed hitter, and there were times when his control was erratic, but he also has the ability to correct that."

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