[Orix Buffaloes] Shumpeita Yamashita is pleased with his new cutter: “I can confirm that it’s a usable pitch.” Fastest pitch of the camp: 155 km/h | Pacific League

[Orix Buffaloes] Shumpeita Yamashita has a good feeling about his new pitch, cutter: “I was able to confirm that it is a usable ball.” He threw the fastest pitch of the camp at 155 km/h.

Sports Hochi

February 25, 2026 19:00

◆Kyushu Miyazaki Baseball Games Orix Buffaloes 6-1 Lotte (February 25th, SOKEN Stadium)

Orix Buffaloes Shumpeita Yamashita pitcher got a response to the new ball cutter. In addition to the fastball, curveball, and fork, which measured the fastest 155 km at the Miyazaki camp, he tested four pitches in this game. “I was able to confirm that it was a usable ball,” he said. Since he was aiming for 50 pitches, he replaced 2 2/3 innings with 1 hit 3 Walk (54 pitches). “I felt that the timing was different from the straight one. It is a ball that is deep and the timing is shifted. If you can use it that way,” he said, and it seems that he will expand the range of pitch.

He is also a strong candidate to be the opening pitcher. Manager Mamoru Kishida seemed satisfied, saying, “He’s made some good changes. His pitches have power, and I think he’s progressing well.”