"It's an honor to be selected by fan vote, and I hope to show a performance worthy of that honor."

Lotte's Shota Suzuki has been selected for the Mynavi All-Star Game 2026 for the second time (as reliever pitcher) through fan voting.

In 2024, he had a breakout year, appearing in 51 games with a record of 2 wins, 2 losses, 27 hold, 5 saves, and ERA of 0.73. However, last season, after the All-Star break, he was unable to pitch in the first team due to poor physical condition, and was limited to just 29 appearances.

"I want to be the pitcher on the team. The best scenario is for me to pitch the most and perform well, so that the team can win." With this strong determination, he entered the 2026 season, mainly pitching the 8th inning in winning games from the start of the season, and recorded 13 consecutive scoreless runs from the game against Nippon-Ham on April 15th to the game against Hiroshima on May 26th.

In the game Hanshin Tigers on May 31st, Suzuki took the mound in the 8th inning with the score tied 2-2 and retired the strong batting order, starting with leadoff hitter Takumu Nakano, in order. This led to a two-run doble by Koki Yamaguchi in the bottom of the 8th inning, and Suzuki earned his 4th win.

He has been throwing a powerful fastball from the start of the season. On June 6 against The Giants, he let Shunsuke Urata, who led 1-1 in the eighth inning, let go of the leadoff Shunsuke Urata on a 2-ball, 2-strike throw and retired him with a struck out throw on the sixth pitch at an outside pitch of 147 km/h, fastball the on June 9, and in the Chunichi game on June 9, he got Mikiya Tanaka out in the 8th inning with one out and no runner at 3-1, swinging 2 balls 2 strike to a struck out of 145 km/h fastball, in the game against DeNA on June 12, with two outs in the ninth inning with a 2-2 score, he threw the fourth pitch to Kyotaka Tobashira from 2 balls and 1 strike without a runner, and missed the 150 km/h outside pitch fastball was truly brilliant.

"When I'm able to throw straight and push the ball firmly, it results in good pitching, so I'm consciously trying to do that."

slider also fell slider 133 km/h vertically on the fif struck out th pitch, thrown from two balls and two strike on the sixth inning with two outs on June 12 against DeNA, runner two outs in the ninth inning with no on 2-2, and on June 21 against Rakuten Eagles, he retired McCuscar on the fourth pitch with one out and runners on first and second in the eighth inning with one out and runners on strike struck out 1-2, and the fourth pitch dropped down the inside slider.

"slider is breaking ball that's only effective when combined with a fastball, and if I rely too much on slider, I'll lose my strengths, so I want to maintain a good balance."

◆ His talent blossomed after training with Yuki Matsui during the offseason.

Speaking of Suzuki, one of the things that helped him break through was when he trained with Yuki Matsui (Padres) in 2024, learning everything about baseball, including "how to use your body," "your approach to baseball," and "nutrition."

Last season ended in disappointment due to poor physical condition, but this season he has been showing consistent pitch since the start. If he stays injury-free, he will prove through his results that he is a necessary piece for the first team. Perhaps what he has been doing with Matsui since his off-season training is indeed the right thing to do.

"I don't think I'm wrong. I've been able to pitch as reliever since going to my individual training, so I want to continue doing that."

What exactly has changed?

"My knowledge of baseball has increased. It's expanded my repertoire, and I'm able to organize and put into practice what suits me as I learn different perspectives. I still have a long way to go, but I think my knowledge has increased a little."

During the season, it has become a daily routine for him to play catch with Naoya Masuda, who is just one save away from reaching 250 career saves, during pre-game practice.

"When I watch Masuda's 'catch' shots, I ask myself what he's focusing on today, think it through on my own, come up with my own answers, and learn a lot from the experience."

He's learning and absorbing from legends like Masuda and Matsui, who have made a name for themselves as relief pitchers. "First and foremost, I want to perform well in the regular season rather than focusing on the All-Star Game. Last year I had to retire in the first half of the season, so this year I'll definitely do my best to be a valuable asset." He aims to not only perform well in the All-Star Game, but also to take mound more times than anyone else, pitch throughout the season, and make it a fulfilling year.

Interview and text by Yuta Iwashita