Are you coming to throw 70 to 80 pitches?" Finally Returning 'ML Hope' 165km Monster Pitcher Reacts Still Cold
Jul 31, 2024
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Sasaki, who throws the fastest fastball in the history of the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) at 165 kilometers, has been out of power twice this season alone.
After pitching seven innings with one run against the Softbank Hawks on May 24, he was removed from the entry on May 28 due to delays in recovering from upper body fatigue. After about 10 days of recovery, he returned to the game against Hiroshima Toyokaf on June 8 and won his fifth game of the season by allowing one run in six innings, but after that, he felt tired in the same area.
In the end, it was canceled again from the first-team entry on June 13, and the return schedule could not be accurately scheduled.
In the process, controversy over over protection also arose. Sasaki is a 23-year-old young pitcher this year, but the club cannot treat him carelessly as he has been attracting attention as a super-special prospect since his high school days. Even in the case of this injury, fans complained that "What kind of ace pitcher is this?", "Do whatever you want", and "Isn't your heart already in the United States?"
From the perspective of fans who support Chiba Lotte, it is inevitable. With Sasaki hoping to advance to the Major League since last year, he has yet to fill the regular innings since his professional debut and has been absent for a long time due to injuries every year.
Sasaki was missing at a time when he had to go up again this year. As of Thursday, Chiba Lotte ranks second in the Pacific League. It is 11 games behind the top-ranked Softbank Hawks.
Sasaki finally joined the first-team squad on July 30. He participated in team training ahead of the game against the Seibu Lions and played catch and stretching in the outfield. He also threw about 20 pitches from the bullpen to check all pitches.
On the 31st, Japan 'Sponichi Annex' Sasaki will start against Seibu on August 1st. Coach Yoshii Masato said, "Sasaki will throw 70-80 pitches, and after that, if he is in good condition, he will play the rotation on the 6th and 7th."
It finally returns, but the reaction is cold again this time. "If you can only throw 70 to 80 pitches yet, do you have to come up to the first team and throw it?" The hateful hair is firmly embedded.
youll@sportschosun.com
