TOKYO - In Miyazaki City, where the professional baseball team Yomiuri Giants are holding their training camp, pitcher Shosei Togo, who has been named the opening day starter, entered the bullpen for the third time on the 6th, the first day of the second phase of the camp, to test the feel of a new pitch he is working to master.
On the first day of the second phase of the camp, Togo took to the bullpen for his third session of pitching practice. Aiming to increase his complete games from last season's four and to win a pitching title, Togo threw 46 pitches, including his signature fastball and forkball, as well as the cut fastball and two-seam fastball he is seeking to add to his repertoire.
Togo is looking to expand his pitching range by mastering pitches with subtle movement and aims to reduce his pitch count by inducing batters to make outs, which he believes will lead to more complete games. Togo commented, "The cut fastball is not yet something I can use in a game. However, the two-seam fastball is improving, so that's a positive takeaway. I believe that if the quality of my fastball improves, it will get better, so I want to try it out in actual games."
In the afternoon, Japan's national team manager, Hirokazu Ibata, visited the practice and had a conversation with Togo. He praised Togo, saying, "He was the second starter in the WBC, but I want him to break into the starting rotation for the Premier12. If he performs well during the season, I think he is a player who will make it onto the team."
Source: NHK
