2022 rookie Ota Daisei (24), who debuted as a closer with his debut in the Yomiuri Giants of the Japanese professional baseball, is emerging as a candidate for the WBC national team finisher. The condition isn’t bad either.
As a rookie this year, Daisei served as a surprise closer from the opening game, and recorded 1 win, 3 losses, 37 saves and 8 holds with an ERA of 2.05 in 57 games. He broke the record for the most saves by a rookie in the Yomiuri club by throwing a snake fastball with a speed of up to 159 km, and also tied the record for the most saves by a newcomer in Japanese professional baseball. The Central League rookie of the year was also his share. 안전놀이터
Thanks to these performances, he was also named in the WBC national team’s 30-man roster, and furthermore, was nominated for the national team’s closer.
According to Sponichi Annex, Daisei’s condition is good. Taisei, who took the mound in the 6th inning after starting a red-and-white battle of his own, recorded one hit and no run in one inning. It was his first real appearance of the year.
His highest speed was 155 km. He recorded 150km range on all five fastballs. He even tried a forkball, and stopped the last batter with a fly ball to third base.
Surprisingly, Daisei is also correcting his pitching form. He has to bend his right knee when pitching.
Tatsunori Hara, head coach of Yomiuri Yomiuri, said, “Although there are minor corrections, he is healthy and seems to be able to join the national team well.”
Daisei reflected, “I felt a bit rushed. He didn’t have time to pay attention to his form.”