In his 11th year as a professional, he became a 10-win pitcher, a third designated hitter, and a hit, and realized his second-rate in eight years since Ohtani

Mar 07, 2025

Nihonham pitcher Yamasaki started as a third-designated hitter against Seibu on the 6th and hit an infield hit in the 3rd inning. Yamasaki cheering at first base. Photo capture = Yasuki Sachiya SNS

Yamasaki's goal in high school was to hit Nippon Ham No. 3. He made his dream come true by playing as a designated hitter in an exhibition game against Seibu three times on the 6th. Photo capture = Yasuki Sachiya SNS

Yamasaki, the main starting pitcher of the Nippon Ham, will challenge for a second-flow that doubles as a pitcher and batter this season. Director Shinjo is a strong supporter. Photo capture = Nippon-Ham Fighters SNS

The pitcher, who took the mound as a middle hitter the previous day, started the next day as a designated hitter. In response to the manager's expectations, he went out as the third batter and even hit a hit. Like Shohei Ohtani (LA Dodgers), a pitcher and batter. Nippon-Ham Fighters left-hander Sakya Yamasaki (33) has finally achieved his dream in his 11th year as a professional. He started as a designated hitter for the first time in eight years since Ohtani in 2017 as a registered pitcher for Nippon Ham. Ohtani went to the Major League after upgrading 'Idolryu' from the Nippon Ham for five years.

Hokkaido Kitahiroshima Escon Field on the 6th. A surprise lineup came out. Coach Tsuyoshi Shinjo sent key starter Yamasaki as the third batter in an exhibition game against the Seibu Lions. It is the third batter of Nippon Ham, which Yamasaki targeted in high school. Yamasaki participated in the batting training before the game.

Two outs in the bottom of the third inning with a 2-0 lead. He took the batter's box for the second time in the absence of a runner. With a ball count of 1B2S, Seibu underhand hit a high fastball 131km/h thrown by pitcher Yoza Gaito. A ground ball penetrated between the second baseman and the shortstop. Seibu shortstop Genda Sosuke followed, but he failed to catch it and became an infield hit. Yamasaki cheered by lifting his right arm from first base.

Shinjo was delighted by high-fives with the coaches in the dugout. Shinjo is a strong supporter of Yamasaki, who has batting talent. I am a strong supporter of the 'Iridyou'. Director Shinjo said, `I hope you can enjoy it comfortably.' Earlier, he said he could start Yamasaki as a designated hitter in the opening game of the regular season. About the batter Yamasaki "Shenguan is good. There is no hitter who can pick up a walk as much as Yamasaki."

He soothed his disappointment in his first at-bat. In the bottom of the first inning, a grounder to shortstop hit the first and third bases with no outs became a double play. At this time, the third baseman entered the home and became the first point. The third at-bat in the fifth inning was grounded out to shortstop. In all three at-bats, the ball went towards shortstop. One hit in three at-bats.

Yamasaki pitched three hits and no runs in three innings in the sixth inning against Seibu on the 5th.

Yamsaki pitched three scoreless innings in the sixth inning against Seibu on the 5th. The next day, he went out as the third batter against Seibu and recorded an infield hit. Photo capture = Nippon-Ham Fighters SNS

Nihonham left-hander Yamasaki. He is planning a second-rate hitter who also serves as a batter this season. On the 4th, he had his first batting training session at the Nago Spring Camp in Okinawa. Photo capture = Nippon-Ham Fighters SNS

Yamasaki joined Orix Buffaloes through Meiji University. He received a rookie nomination in 2015. Tossed mainly as a starter until 2023. He has won 11 games, the most by an individual in 2023. contributed to the Orix's third consecutive Pacific League victory.

After the 2023 season, he became an FA. He moved to Nippon Ham, where he supported him as a child. Even though there was a team that offered better conditions, I chose the Fighters. Yamasaki started 24 games in the first year of his transfer and posted a 10-6 record with a 3.17 ERA.

Nippon Ham is a team with deep ties to Yamasaki. My father played as a Nippon Ham catcher and coached. He also underwent brain tumor surgery at Sapporo University Hospital in Hokkaido before graduating from junior high school. According to Japanese media, the survival rate was 10%, and the condition was critical. The day before the surgery, he watched a game in which Darvish Yu (San Diego Padres) shut out at Sapporo Dome, the home of Nippon Ham.

Yamasaki posted a photo of her high school days on her SNS account on the evening of the 6th. This is a picture of me holding a paper that my future dream is to ride Nippon Ham No. 3. Shinjo posted a picture of Yamazaki's hit on his personal SNS.

Yamasaki has played as a pinch hitter in interleague games for Orix.

Yamasaki played as a second-designated hitter in the All-Star Game last year and even had a hit. Photo capture = Nippon-Ham Fighters SNS

Rocked. He hit for four consecutive years.

Nippon Ham beat Seibu 3-2 on the 6th. He is tied for first in the exhibition game with three wins and one loss.

This article was translated by Naver AI translator.