Honda Motor Company's engine parts factory dreamt of becoming a 28-year-old professional, first win in his second year, and Koshien ace (Min Chang-ki's Japanese baseball) who laughed after elbow surgery twice

Aug 07, 2025

Yomiuri left-hander Morita made his first professional start against Yakult on the 6th and pitched six scoreless innings to become a winning pitcher. Morita took the first victory and joined Abe. Photo capture =Miuri Giants SNS

Morita, who was a star on the exam, became a professional player after going through college and social baseball. He had surgery on his left elbow last year and spent his first year without playing in even one game. Photo capture =Miuri Giants SNS

Yomiuri Giants left-hander Morita?ya (28) won his first game in three professional games. He started the home game against the Yakult Swallows at Tokyo Dome on the 6th and showed off two hits and no runs in six innings. He made his first start in his second year as a pro and led the team to a 2-0 complete victory. He threw 92 pitches against 21 batters. He struck out four and gave up one walk. Family and friends running from their hometown of Toyama were watching from the stands.

Yomiuri, which Morita, a temporary starter, pitched well, won three consecutive games and returned to a winning percentage of 50%. He won all eight games against Yakult at Tokyo Dome this season.

The Japanese media paid attention to two showdowns with Yakult No. 4 Murakami Munetaka (25). In both the first and fourth innings, he beat the monster hitter after a full count match. It was overpowered with control and breaking balls, not overwhelming fastballs.

He threw three fastballs with two outs and a runner on second base in the top of the first inning. He caught his first strike with a slider at 3B, and induced a swing and miss with a determination of 147 kilometers per hour. 3B2S. Murakami's bat then splits the air on a slider that flows outwards. Morita said "I threw aggressively into the in-course because I was confident."

They faced each other again in the top of the fourth inning with two outs and a runner on second base. I threw a slider at the full count. He dug himself in. Third baseman fly ball. Murakami said "I thought there would be a difference because I'm a strange pitcher. I'll try to hit it properly next time I see you."

Morita "I was very nervous today. I've only won my first game. I'll do my best from now on"and strengthened his will.

I went a long way and achieved my dream. Morita participated in the summer Koshien tournament as an ace when she was a junior at Toyama High School. He drew attention by winning the first and second rounds in a row and represented the 18-year-old youth. I took an elite course as a baseball player.

Morita, who won his first game in three professional games. Earlier, he appeared in relief in one game and started in the third game, pitching six scoreless innings. Photo capture =Miuri Giants SNS

After graduating from high school, I went to Hosei University. When I was a freshman, I couldn't pitch normally due to pain in my left shoulder. There was a lot of anxiety because the pain did not go away. He is said to have flown to the U.S. during his second year vacation to watch left-hander legend Clayton Kershaw (L.A. Dodgers). At the time, he met manager Dave Roberts and was encouraged to `work hard' and received an autograph.

I had surgery on my left elbow in the winter of my second year. I rehabilitated and returned in the fourth grade. He applied for the 2018 professional baseball rookie draft but was not selected. He joined Honda-Suka, a social baseball team based in Mie Prefecture. He continued to play baseball while maintaining mechanical maintenance at a factory that makes Honda Motor's engine parts.

The professional baseball rookie draft held at the end of October 2023. Yomiuri immediately saw Morita, who had an impressive performance in the city match, and picked her in the second round. Okamoto Kazuma, who was with the 18-year-old youth team, became a Yomiuri player who is active as a main catcher.

I prepared for my first season in the first team spring camp. But the elbow caused trouble again. I was on the operating table for the second time. I looked back on the fact that all of the same colleagues who joined the team as an official designation were very frustrated when they experienced the first team. The first year of professional baseball has passed without throwing a game.

The Chunichi Dragons and Nagoya away game on July 31. In the 10th inning of extra time, which was tied 6-6, finally, the first opportunity to take the mound came. The first batter went out due to a second baseman error. With four intentional pitches, it became the first and second bases with no outs, and the sending bunt continued the situation with one out and runners on the second and third bases. There was an intentional four-pitch hit off the bench. The risk of finishing the bases with one out. He gave up a sacrifice hit and became a losing pitcher. ⅔One run on two walks in innings (incriminating).

Coach Abe Yomiuri said he would continue to give Morita, who was a temporary starter and played well. Photo capture =Miuri Giants SNS

The next day, on August 1, he made a relief appearance against the Yokohama BayStars. Starting pitcher Iori Yamasaki suddenly collapsed in the fifth inning and was quickly put in. Trailing 2-6 with runners on the second and third bases with one out in the fifth inning, Yokohama No. 2 Kyodaryota was grounded out to first base to end the inning. He also went out in the sixth inning and finished his mission without allowing a run. One walk and no runs in one ⅓ inning.

Manager Abe Shinnosuke asked "Please continue to work hard in the future." In other words, they will continue to give them a chance to start. Born in February 1997, Morita Baseball begins now.

This article was translated by Naver AI translator.