The butterfly effect brought about by sending out the 55th legend successor, recruiting the second-tier home run king for the fifth consecutive year, and leaving the fourth batter's injury
May 13, 2025
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Yuto Akihiro (22), the tallest (2m) infielder in Japanese professional baseball, changed from the Yomiuri Giants to the Softbank Hawks uniform. On the 12th, when there was no game, Yomiuri announced a 2-1 trade with Softbank. He sent Akihiro and left-hander Ryusei Oe (26) to Softbank, and recruited powerful infielders Snaga and Richard (26).
Richard was born to an American father and a Japanese mother. After graduating from high school in Okinawa, he became a member of Softbank through the 2018 development draft. He is strong enough to become the second-tier home run king for five consecutive years. However, it failed to establish itself in Softbank, which has a strong player base.
This year, when he started in the first team, he also failed to take advantage of his opportunity. He hit 0.091 (2 hits in 22 at-bats) with no homers and no RBIs in six games. He also exposed infield defense anxiety. In the second division, he was outstanding, but he lost his presence when he came to the first division. He had no hits in seven at-bats and struck out five with runners in the scoring position.
The trade accelerated as Kazuma Okamoto (29) was out of power due to injury. Okamoto, who played as the first baseman against the Hanshin Tigers on the 6th, collided with batter Takumu Nakano during defense. Due to an injury to the ligament in the left elbow, organ dislocation is inevitable. Yomiuri decided to trade to fill Okamoto's gap.
Richard, a prospect of a full-time big shot, needed a change. He agonized over a transfer last winter. This was reported through the media. Richard hit 10 home runs in 100 first-team games.
Joining the 5th pick of the 2021 rookie draft. I left the Yomiuri without blooming. Akihiro made headlines at spring camp in February. 요미우리
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In the winter of his second year as a professional, the traditional Yomiuri Giants entrusted Akihiro with '55'. He hoped to grow into a top hitter like Matsui.
In 2023, he made his presence known in the third year. He played 121 games and posted a batting average of 0.273-111 hits. He showed his potential as a center hitter by hitting a 10 home run. However, he couldn't stretch further and collapsed. Up and down the first and second teams in 2024. 12 hits and 1 RBI in 26 games without a home run. After going through the Miyazaki Education League, he joined the first team. He struck out as a pinch hitter in Game 2 of the Climax Series Final Stage against the Yokohama BayStars.
This year, he started in the second division and came up to the first division on the 3rd. 1 for 7 in 5 games. Akihiro was surprised to hear the news of the trade. I was proud to be a professional player and wear the Giants uniform. His first home run since his debut was the most memorable." The pressure of '55' must have been great, "I was proud to wear Yomiuri #55" he said.
There has been no opportunity in Yomiuri for the past two years. Softbank transfer may be an opportunity. Akihiro "It's the way to repay the new team well. 특히 (요
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As of the 12th, Yomiuri ranks second in the Central League and Softbank ranks fourth in the Pacific League. Yomiuri, which was leading, recently fell behind Hanshin, and Softbank came up from last place. The two teams won the league last year,
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
