“I don’t think anything will hit me.”
Right-handed pitcher Trevor Bauer (32), who won the Cy Young Award in 2020, finally started his first game as a member of the Yokohama Baystars. On the 16th, he started in the Seibu Lions match held at Yokosuka Stadium in Yokosuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture. He checked his pitching condition by participating in the Eastern League (Second Division), a mix of Central League and Pacific League teams, rather than the 1st Division.
Although it was a 2-team game, the content was good. He pitched four innings, giving up no runs on four hits and striking out six. A total of 53 pitches. The highest speed of his fastball came out to 156 km (some media reported 155 km). At his joining press conference, he said, “I chose the uniform number ’96’ because I wanted to throw an average speed of 96 miles (about 154.5 km)”, but the fast ball was powerful.
In addition to his four-seam fastball, he threw all pitches, including two-seam and cut fastballs, changeups, curveballs, and sliders. He went to practice after a long time and tried various pitches.
Catcher Kyosuke Mashiko (23), who breathed with Bauer and battery, said, “In a crisis, the fastball was especially powerful.” He struck out two batters in a row with one out and second and third bases in the third inning.메이저놀이터
In an interview with the Japanese media, Mashiko said, “He is a pitcher with a different level. He doesn’t seem to be able to hit any pitch he throws. His fastball soared in front of the batter.” It sounds like it means that the ball of the fast ball was good. He also added that he “threw the ball largely over the course they demanded”. It is evaluated that he did well in his command.
It must have been a difficult ball to attack for the 2nd team players. Mashiko compared Bauer to Yokohama’s ace, Shota Imana (30), calling him “a great pitcher.” Imanaga started for Japan in the World Baseball Classic (WBC) final against the United States. Bauer suffered shoulder pain at the end of last month and was unable to pitch.
has been delayed
Bauer, who was suspended for sexual and domestic violence, did not play last year. When he found it difficult to pitch in the major leagues, he decided to advance to Japanese professional baseball. He signed a contract with the Yokohama club for a total of 4 million dollars a year, including incentives.
The top pitcher in the major leagues has had his personal downfall. He signed a three-year, $120 million (approximately 154 billion won) contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2021, but was released last January due to sexual and domestic violence.
Bauer, who made his major league debut as a member of the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2012, recorded 83 wins and 69 losses and an average ERA of 3.79 in 222 games. In 2020, when the team was shortened to 60 games due to Corona 19, he pitched in 11 games as a member of the Cincinnati Reds and recorded 5 wins, 4 losses, an average ERA of 1.73, 100 strikeouts, and a WHIP of 0.79. That year, he ranked first in the National League in earned run average and second in strikeouts.
