Nippon-Ham first-round draft pick, Leo Shibata, is a likely starter for the final S of the CS series. "I'm not nervous," he says. He shut out the opponents in the fourth inning of the Red-White game, earning praise from management. | Pacific League

Nippon-Ham ‘s first draft pick Leo Shibata is a likely starter for the final S in the CS series, saying, “I’m not nervous,” and he’s highly praised by the management for shutting out the opponents in the fourth inning in the Red vs. White game.

Sports Hochi

2025.10.8(水) 06:05

Shibata, starting pitcher for the Red team, throws a powerful pitch (photographer: Masahiro Okano)

◆ Nippon-Ham Fighters Red vs. White Game: White Team 2-5 Red Team (7th, ES CON FIELD)

Nippon-Ham Fighters’ first-round draft pick, pitcher Leo Shibata (19), started in the Red-White game (ESCON) on the 7th, leading up to the CS. He threw 54 pitches in four innings, runs four hit and no strike out, a very impressive performance. Shibata himself was not impressed with his weak pitches, but he was highly praised by the management, and is likely to be on standby as a starter in the final stage of the CS (S).

runner double play The first time I went to the game, I was in the middle of the game, and I was in the middle of a game, and I was in the middle of a game. The first time I went to the CS, I was thinking only about how much closer I could do against the hitters. I’m not getting worked up about it,” he said calmly.

Despite the results, he was not excited. He threw a lot of fork, which is an issue he has struggled with, but “I couldn’t get any strikeouts when I was trying to get them. Even when I threw them, they were a waste of pitches.” He failed to overcome his issues and his words were lackluster, but pitcher coach Kato praised him highly, saying, “He can pitch. He doesn’t just throw, he varies the strength of pitcher.” The likely starting order for the first series is Ito, Kitayama, and Tatsu. Believing in his team’s chances of success, he is expected to be on standby for the final series of the CS in his hometown of Fukuoka.

Despite the fact that the game was a paid event, 14,412 fans tuned in on the day. With stadium performances such as the fox dance, the game was held in the same atmosphere as regular season. Manager Shinjo, who updated his social media account during the game, said, “Today’s game was an important one in the battle for starting line-up lineup in the CS, but the players are truly blessed to be able to play with so many fans watching over them.” The team is steadily nearing completion as they move from second place to become number one in Japan. (Yamaguchi Yasushi)