Nippon-Ham ‘s Kengo Yoshida ‘s performance leads to fierce competition outfielder Takagi: “With Mannami and Mizutani, if I were to join them…” | Pacific League

◆ 10 players nominated! “I really don’t know who will make it”

Kengo Yoshida, who was transferred from Softbank to Nippon-Ham in the active player draft last December, started as the seventh batter and third baseman in the exhibition game against Chunichi on the 8th. He made an impact with four At Bat and one RBI in four hit. In the following game on the 9th, he started as the second batter and left fielder, recording the team’s only hit (doble).

Yoshida, who has been performing well every day in an effort to become a regular player, was the focus of attention on Fuji TV ONE’s “Professional baseball News 2025,” which aired on the 10th.

Takagi Yutaka speculated on the reason for Yoshida’s selection, saying, “I would have replaced him after he had four hit on the 8th, but I used him with the same momentum to see what he could do.” He particularly praised Yoshida’s base advance, saying, “In his second at-bat on the 9th, he waited until first base runner Ryota Isobata started running, and after he stole stolen base, he hit with right-handed hitter. It was amazing.” He also praised Yoshida’s doble in his third at-bat, saying, “He’s good at using the head of the bat. I think this player can hit. Not only is he in good form, hitter who can freely change their focus tend to have good batting averages.”

Takagi continued, “It’s going to be tough to compete outfielder,” referring to the fierce competition for regular spots. “I think Chusei Mannami and Shun Mizutani are good enough for sure. But if Isohata and Yoshida join, I don’t know what to do. There’s also Daiki Asama and Go Matsumoto. Depending on the situation, Yuya Gunji and Yuki Nomura are also on the list. I really don’t know who will be there,” he said, naming the candidates.

Regarding batting order, he said, “Ideally, I would have Kota Yazawa and Isobata batting first and second. This would create an incredible speedster.”He analyzed, “There’s also a power hitter named Yuma Imagawa, who I’m rooting for. There will probably be five to seven players competing for the spot, so it will be quite a contest.”

☆ Cooperation: Fuji TV ONE “Professional baseball News 2025”