Manager Shinjo praises Nippon-Ham 's Leo Shibata for his perfect debut in the third inning, saying the rising star "came out again" | Pacific League

プロ初先発し３回無失点の力投を見せた柴田（カメラ・池内　雅彦）

Pacific League Nippon-Ham 5-0 Lotte (26th, Escon F)

The exuberance that welled up in him brought a smile to his face. Nippon-Ham Leo Shibata pitcher The first time I saw him, he was a very good player, and I was very happy to see him play. The first time he made his first start as a pro, he went a perfect pitch of three innings with no hit nothing runs. I’m not nervous about shrinking,” he said, “but the kind of enjoyment that springs from the heart. pitcher I can see the most of the game, so that’s a good feeling. After all, the first team is good. The visitors were given a “spectator certificate” and fully enjoyed the big stage witnessed by 35,024 people, the largest number of visitors this season.

It was an impressive 39 pitches. Twenty-one of his 23 straight pitches were 150 kilometers or more. The fastest was 153 km/h and the fastest was 3 strike out. “I didn’t know if it would work, so I went back to the drawing board and threw straight pitches,” he said in the first inning. The first inning was a good one,” he said. “I had good reactions to fouls and swinging at people, so I felt I was getting a good response.

This season, he made eight appearances in the second division, recording ERA 2.31 and 16 strike out in 11 2/3 innings. As hitter, he had a batting average of .156 with two Home Run, and was promoted. Manager Shinjo was full of praise, saying, “Another rising star has appeared. He was more relaxed today. Let’s try to throw more. 156 or 157.” Considering that he was used in the first game of the second half of the season, when the team was in first place, he took his hat off to how strong-hearted he was, saying, “He’s attracting attention, and the type of pitch he throws will show his humanity. He’s so confident that it’s hard to tell.”

Otani, a fellow two-way player, made pitcher debut in his first year against Yakult (Sapporo Dome) on May 23, 2013, giving up 6 hits and 2 hit 86 pitches in 5 innings, resulting in no win or runs. “To be honest, I wanted to pitch more. I hope to get a win next time.” He is expected to be removed from the roster for the time being, but the 19-year-old, who is chasing Otani’s footsteps, has already taken a big step forward in the northern lands. (Kawakami Haruki)

◆Shibata Leo Born on April 18, 2006 in Iizuka, Fukuoka. 19 years old. Started playing baseball with the Shonai Jaguars in his second year at Shonai Elementary School, and joined the Iizuka Leopards while at Shonai Junior High School. Became a bench player at Fukuoka University Ohori in the summer of his first year, and an ace in the fall of his second year. Never played Koshien. Joined Nippon-Ham Fighters as the first pick in the 2012 draft. Hit a total of 19 Home Run in high school. Fastest fastball is 154 km/h. Favorite player is Shohei Ohtani of the Dodgers. Nickname is “Leo”. 187 cm, 87 kg. Right-handed pitcher, left-handed batter. Estimated annual salary is 8.8 million yen.