[Softbank Hawks] 19-year-old second-year draft pick right-hander struck out three consecutive batters in his debut game! Taito Murakami a graduate of Kobe Koryo High School, comes in as the second pitcher and faces a jam in the 8th inning with no outs and runners on first and second base, but... strikes out Muneyama, McCusker, and YG Yasuda | Pacific League

[Softbank Hawks] 19-year-old second-year draft pick right-hander struck out three consecutive batters in his debut game! Taito Murakami a graduate of Kobe Koryo High School, comes in as the second pitcher and faces a jam in the 8th inning with no outs and runners on first and second base, but... strikes out Muneyama, McCusker, and YG Yasuda.

Sports Hochi

August 15, 2026 16:10

◆ Pacific League Softbank Hawks vs. Rakuten Eagles (15th, Mizuho PayPay Dome)

Softbank Hawks pitcher Taito Murakami made his debut.

He came in as the second pitcher from the eighth inning with the team trailing by 4 runs. He had Nakajima lead off the line at Walk, then gave up a single to Tatsumi to right, leaving runners on first and second with no outs, putting him in a pinch. However, he then let Muneyama go, swinging McCuscar and swinging YG Yasuda, escaping three consecutive struck out.

The 19-year-old right-handed pitcher, who joined the team as the first overall pick in the 2024 draft from Kobe Koryo High School, was promoted to the first team for the first time on the 14th. He was enthusiastic, saying, "My strong point is my fastball. I want to see if it will work, or rather, I want to see that first."

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