I can't believe that I'm trying to become the first at-bats + hit king in my 15th year as a professional...33-year-old veteran can achieve his goal if he plays the remaining 14 full games

Sep 17, 2025

Makihara, which is about to achieve its first regulation at-bats in its 15th year as a professional. It's worth trying to become the Pacific League batting champion. Photo capture = Softbank Hawks SNS

Makihara played several positions within and outside this season. He played in 11 of his team's 129 games. Photo capture = Softbank Hawks SNS

Makihara filled the injury gaps of main outfielders such as Yanagita and Kondo from the beginning of the season. Photo capture = Softbank Hawks SNS

Softbank Hawks infielder Daisei Makihara (33) raised his batting power closely in the second half of the season. He had three hits in an away game against the Orix Buffaloes in Osaka on the 15th. He started at No. 6-2 and struck out swinging in his first at-bat in the second inning, hitting infield hits, center hits, and right hits. He went 0-for-5 the previous day, but recovered the next day.

The hot summer is burning hot. He hit 0.385-37 with three home runs and 18 RBIs in August. In his 15th year as a professional, he won a monthly MVP for the first time. "It's the result of playing hard with the desire to win every game. I thank my teammates" He also said, `I'm honestly happy that I can play without a replacement now.'

It started with a nomination for fostering in 2020. He played 14 seasons until last year and never met the regulation. A lot has changed this year. He played as a second baseman last season, but this year he will play various positions inside and outside. Since the beginning of the season, main hitters Yannagita Yuki and Kondo Daisuke have filled the vacancy due to injuries. He entered the entire outfield position. He was also recognized for his defensive ability in the outfield.

He played 111 of Softbank's 129 games until the 16th. He started a total of 97 games. He has 389 at-bats, with 11 at-bats missing from the regulation. If he plays full games without injury in the remaining 14 games, he will reach 443 at-bats for the first time. If even one game is missed, it may be difficult to be at least in the regulations. Makihara failed to make the regulation due to a lack of two at-bats in 2022.

He must be greedy to record, but he is determined as a veteran. He said, `Even if you can't fill (the regulation at-bats) in the worst case scenario, if the team wins, that's all. He aimed to play without injury for a year. I think it is a reward to achieve the rule at-bats.' Softbank is in first place, 2.5 games ahead of the Nippon Ham Fighters.

Softbank, which is ranked first, is 2.5 games ahead of Nippon Ham as of the 16th. Photo capture = Softbank Hawks SNS

It's going.

As of Tuesday, he had 113 hits in 368 at-bats for a batting average of 0.307. If he maintains his current batting pace and meets the requirements, he will be able to become a batting champion at the age of 33 in his 15th year as a pro.

Batters are struggling in the Pacific League again this year when the powerful 'go-taser' was driven. There is only one hitter who has met the regulation at-bats. Orix Buffaloes Ryoza Nishikawa will take the top spot with 0.310 (117 hits in 377 at-bats). Murabayashi Itsuki (Rakuten Eagles) is second to third with 0.296 and Tatsuru Yanagimachi (Softbank) is second to third with 0.292.

There is a noticeable record. He has only six walks in 111 games and 389 at-bats. According to Japanese media, there has been no single-digit walks so far.

This article was translated by Naver AI translator.